Caregivers
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
Being a family caregiver can be incredibly fulfilling, but it can also be challenging, stressful, and demanding. It is crucial to take care of yourself as a caregiver, as you cannot provide the best care for your loved one if you neglect your own physical, emotional, and mental needs. Here are five ways to take care of yourself as a family caregiver:
1 Comment
With summer here and temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks of excessive heat and recognize the signs of heat-related illness. Being hot for too long can be a problem. It can cause several illnesses, all grouped under the name hyperthermia. These factors can increase your risk of hyperthermia:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis, free help is immediately available.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, via phone, text and online chat, offering people compassionate care and support from trained crisis counselors for individuals, families or their loved ones. One does not have to be suicidal to call 988 but can reach out when experiencing any behavioral health crisis. 988 call services are available in English and Spanish, along with interpretation services in more than 150 languages. Texting 988 and online chat are currently available only in English. Veterans and military service members can call 988 and press “1” to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line. If you do not see an aging friend or relative often, changes in his or her health may seem dramatic. In contrast, the primary caregiver might not notice such changes or realize that more help, medical treatment, or supervision is needed. Or, the primary caregiver might not want to accept the fact that the health of his or her spouse or parent is failing.
As a caregiver, you can provide support by helping an aging friend or relative get the care they need. To learn more, click the button below. Prevent foodborne illness during emergencies and disasters.
Check out these Resource Materials from USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. Any pharmacy in Oregon can make an emergency prescription refill for a person who had to leave an area affected by a declared disaster.
September 18th - 24th, 2022
Join the National Council on Aging in observing Falls Prevention Awareness Week, September 18-24, 2022. The week is a national health campaign observed on the first day of fall to increase awareness around falls health and injury prevention. The NCOA has created Falls Free Check-Up, an online screening tool that can serve as a first step for older adults to learn more about falls risk and steps to prevent falls and accidents. To take the Check-Up, click the button below.
- Oregon.gov
Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog (oregonsmoke.org). Remember that cloth, dust and surgical masks do NOT protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children. Here's how you can protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:
- Oregon.gov
For many people in Oregon, dealing with the wildfires has been especially difficult.
For those directly affected by the fires and evacuations, these traumatic events can bring feelings of stress, anxiety, grief, worry and anger. Even those who were not directly affected by fires and evacuations this year but have experienced them in the past may feel these emotions again. Seeing news reports or images of current fires or hearing about fires affecting loved ones can drive feelings like anxiety and stress. Click the number below to be connected with the Safe + Strong Helpline; someone to talk to or find mental health resources. |
Caregiver
Whether in a medical professional setting or personal homes, Caregivers are caring and caring takes energy, wisdom and compassion. This Caregiver Blog is here to give you insight, encouragement and tools, not just to give care but to survive and thrive while doing it. Archives
July 2023
Categories
All
|