Care at Home

How to Care for Someone at Home

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Sundowner’s Syndrome—Causes, Symptoms, Suggestions

“The nights are the hardest.” I’ve heard this phrase from many people I’ve known—family members who’ve lost loved ones, friends recovering from addictions. Somehow in nighttime, with its relative quiet...Read entire article »

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Fall Prevention 101

“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Anyone who owned a TV in the nineties remembers the elderly woman who fell and couldn’t reach the phone but needed to alert...Read entire article »

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How to Talk to an Elder with Dementia Using Validation Therapy, Redirection & Other Techniques

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia, then you know how difficult it can be to communicate with him or her. Maybe there are good or...Read entire article »

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How to Improve the Quality of Life of an Elder with Dementia

People with Alzheimer's or dementia can still lead meaningful, enjoyable lives. If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed, read on to learn about the many steps...Read entire article »

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How to Deal with Combativeness

It's not uncommon for care recipients to display abusive behavior. Following are a few suggestions for caregivers dealing with combativeness. Gilbert Guide also offers tips on caring for patients with...Read entire article »

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Pain Medication at Home—The Steps of Giving an Injection

Many medications come prepackaged, like Tubexes®. All you need to do is insert the cartridge into the holder and you are ready to inject. Other medications will need to be...Read entire article »

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Tips for Adult Children on How to Deal with Senior Driving Issues

Driving safely requires a number of cognitive and physical skills. Even seniors who have impeccable driving records can encounter situations that lead to these skills being impaired. Read on...Read entire article »

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Senior Driving: When Are You Too Old to Drive?

“Mom, Dad—maybe it’s time you stopped driving.” That’s probably one phrase no adult child ever wants to utter. We live in a driving culture—from the first Tin Lizzie to...Read entire article »

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Tablet Splitting: Saving Money or Causing Problems?

Tablet splitting can save money, especially for brand-name medicines that aren’t available as generics. Sometimes different strengths of the same medicine cost about the same. To save money, a doctor...Read entire article »

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How to Deal with Emergencies at Home: Part 1 of 2

One of the fears that both families and patients have when going home is: "What will happen in case of an emergency?" This section will help you prepare in advance,...Read entire article »

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How to Deal with Emergencies at Home: Part 2 of 2

When an emergency arises, you (principally the family members) can deal with it most effectively by following these three principles: 1. Stay calm 2. Determine the exact nature of the...Read entire article »

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Going Home from the Hospital: Part 1 of 2

Going home from the hospital is an emotional experience. The warmth and convenience of home are certainly more inviting than the hospital and its routine; but when physicians feel that...Read entire article »

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Going Home from the Hospital: Part 2 of 2

You are about to go home. You may be scared, but eager to leave the hospital to go home with your family, sleep in your own bed, eat home-cooked food,...Read entire article »

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Exercises for People with Limited Mobility: Part 1 of 2

If you have been inactive for a long period of time, your muscles will begin to atrophy; that is, they will shrink in size and strength. Having an arm or...Read entire article »

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Exercises for People with Limited Mobility: Part 2 of 2

Breathing One of the key elements of any exercise program is to learn proper breathing techniques. Breathing, by itself, is a good exercise because it is both therapeutic and relaxing....Read entire article »

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Bed Positioning: Part 1 of 2

It is important to pay attention to the position you lie in, and when you are confined to bed, you may need help in positioning. During sleep, we unconsciously change...Read entire article »

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Bed Positioning: Part 2 of 2

Repositioning Frequent change of position is the second means of preventing bedsores and muscle wasting. If you are unable to turn over by yourself, it is important that your family...Read entire article »

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Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 1 of 3

Surgery today is far more complicated than ever before. Newer techniques are saving more and more lives. However, some of these surgeries require special and continuing care on the part...Read entire article »

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Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 2 of 3

How to Irrigate It is absolutely essential that the irrigations be done correctly so that the best results can be achieved. Many manufacturers of irrigation equipment include specific instructions on...Read entire article »

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Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 3 of 3

Ileal Conduit The ileal conduit is performed when the bladder has to be removed, most often because it is cancerous. People who have ileal conduits have to wear a pouch...Read entire article »

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How to Administer the Heimlich Maneuver for Choking

This is most often caused by a piece of food or other object lodged in the throat. The most effective action you can take is called the Heimlich Maneuver. It...Read entire article »

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How to Administer CPR

Ernest H. Rosenbaum, M.D. Herman Uhley, M.D. Isadora Rosenbaum Becky Moore, R.N. What should you do if the person you're with suddenly stops breathing and has no pulse? If the...Read entire article »

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Emergency Situation: Difficulty Breathing

Although very frightening, shortness of breath often passes in a few minutes. The first thing to do, if you can, is sit up straight, so that your lungs can expand...Read entire article »

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Emergency Situation: Severe Bleeding

Severe bleeding is another emergency to be prepared for. In case of a deep cut, keep the area clean and apply pressure. Try applying ice in a pack or plastic...Read entire article »

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Emergency Situation: Broken Bones or Falls

An accident or fall is the final emergency situation we will discuss here. You can deal with this crisis best by checking quickly to see if the patient seems to...Read entire article »

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Bathroom Aids

Bathing Aids Grab bars (Figure 12) can be fastened to the bathtub or attached to the wall for safety and ease in getting in and out of the tub or...Read entire article »

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Skin Care Treatments and Solutions

Bedsore Causes, Prevention and Treatments If you have to lie immobile for long periods of time, you should pay special attention to the health of your skin, to prevent skin...Read entire article »

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Massage Therapy Techniques

One of the most soothing treatments for anyone convalescing is massage. In Europe and other parts of the world it has always been held in high esteem and is...Read entire article »

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Pain Medication at Home—Top Do’s and Don’ts

Here is a brief list of Do's and Don'ts, which apply to you no matter which medicines you are taking for pain. DO'S Know the name, dosage and side effects,...Read entire article »

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Pain Medication at Home—Side Effects from Pain Medication

Constipation Pain medications containing narcotics usually affect the digestive system. But there are ways of dealing with the side effects, and they shouldn't prevent you from using a drug which...Read entire article »

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Pain Medication at Home—Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Injections

Intramuscular Sites There are three common places for intramuscular injections. Here is how to locate them: 1. Upper outer portion of the buttocks. Divide one cheek of the buttocks with...Read entire article »

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Pain Medication at Home—Controlling Pain

Telling your doctor that the pain medication "doesn't work" is the first step in taking control; but giving the doctor some specific details will help in finding a solution. The...Read entire article »

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Housework Tips

Housework Sit rather than stand. Have work in front of you rather than at the side. Reduce range and force when moving. Slide rather than lift objects. Try to...Read entire article »

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Mouth Care for Cancer Patients

Daily oral and dental care is essential for all of us, and especially when the mouth area is affected by therapy. Chemotherapy for tumors in any part of the body...Read entire article »

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Eating and Drinking Aids

Special cups with lids will help you avoid spilling liquids. The Tommee Tippee cup (Figure 1) is useful if you have difficulty in swallowing or poor coordination. The Wonder-Flow vacuum...Read entire article »

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Dressing Tips

Try to do the major part while seated in a chair, preferably one with arms. Long-handled reachers (Figure 19) will eliminate your having to bend over and will help...Read entire article »

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Cooking Tips

Plan meal preparation ahead. Write menus for a week's meals at a time. Shop for staples once a week and fresh produce twice weekly. Assemble all ingredients and utensils...Read entire article »

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Bowel and Bladder Care

Becky Moore, R.N. This section talks about some of the problems you may have at home with your bowel movements and bladder control. This is a subject that few...Read entire article »

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Administering Pain Medication at Home

Lizabeth Light, B.S.N. Worried About How to Deal with Pain at Home? Patients about to go home from the hospital are often worried about how to deal with pain. (These...Read entire article »

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Activities and Aids to Daily Living Overview

Prolonged inactivity produces loss of muscle strength and coordination, and can contribute to depression. It is not only enervating, but can produce crises in your attitude and decrease your...Read entire article »

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Face Sheet: Patient Information At-a-Glance

A face sheet is used by physicians, caregivers and care managers so that an individual’s health and medical requirements along with personal preferences are listed in an easy-to-use format. Download...Read entire article »

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Medication Tracker

Make sure all caregivers, physicians and pharmacists have the same patient information by keeping track of the medications you or a loved one takes. Download our easy-to-use Medication Tracker.   ...Read entire article »

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Tips to Reduce the Risk of Falling

The elderly are more prone to falls, which can cause and/or exacerbate health issues. Download Tips to Reduce the Risk of Falling for practical in-home fall prevention techniques.    The...Read entire article »

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Yesavage Depression Scale: A Depression Assessment Tool

Do you think an elderly loved one is depressed? Download the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, which was developed at Stanford University by Dr Jerome Yesavage and his colleagues.    The...Read entire article »

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What Is…Hospice and Hospice Care?

Hospice is a type of palliative care designed to support a patient through the last stages of a terminal illness, when the goal is no longer to cure the illness....Read entire article »

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What Is…a Face Sheet?

A face sheet is a document that gives a patient’s information at a quick glance. Face sheets can include contact details, a brief medical history and the patient’s level of...Read entire article »