Practical Answers to Important Questions PSS Circle of

Practical Answers to Important Questions PSS Circle of Care Consultants: Chidi Chizor, Sheryl Quiatchon & Jessica Rae Silvers

PSS is a multi-service agency operating: - 9 Senior Centers - 2 senior apartments (including the Grandparent Family Apartments) - Coming of Age, helping people 50+ live with purpose and passion - The Circle of Caregiving Program helping family caregivers in all 5 Boroughs caring for an ill, frail or disabled loved one with a special focus in supporting caregivers caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

PSS Circle of Care offers (at no charge): • • Care Coordination Individual and Family Consultation Support Groups/ Educational Trainings Informational Workshops Wellness Activities (i. e. Relaxation, Yoga, Exercise, etc. ) Respite and Supplemental Services Joint Enrichment opportunities

Top Questions to be considered as a Caregiver: • Is it ever too early to start planning? • What services to consider when planning for the future? • How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? • How do I deal with Behavioral Problems? • Why is self care important? • Where can I find support?

Is it ever too early to start planning?

Is it ever too early to start planning? No

BENEFITS of Planning Ahead • Gives opportunity for the care receiver to be involved • Prevents crisis planning and caregiver burnout • Allows advance education and preparation of emotions and demands • Avoids financial strain • Encourages family planning

Advance Directives • • Health Care Proxy Living Will Power of Attorney End of Life Wishes DNR Hospice Care Pain Management

What services to consider? Adult Day Care Medicaid Options Senior Centers Transportation Geriatric case management – Home delivered meals – Home health aide services – Private Pay Care – – – Legal services – Mental health services – Personal emergency response system – Protective services – Recreational services – Respite care – Skilled nursing – Telephone reassurance – Hospice Services

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs?

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? DAILY HYGIENE • Talk about the upcoming bathing so they get used to the idea. • Alternate full baths or showers with sponge baths. • Never leave them alone during bathing.

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? DRESSING • Provide direction – lay out clothing in the order they are put on. • Limit choices. • Consider your loved one’s tastes and dislikes. • Make tasks easier – replace shoelaces, buttons, etc. with Velcro or large zipper pulls

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? EATING • • • Eat at regular times. Use white or plain dishes. Offer foods one at a time. Cut foods into bite-sized portions Limit distractions. Eat together.

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? TOILETING • • • Make the bathroom easy to find. Be alert for signs. Don’t wait for your loved one to ask. Make clothing easy to remove. Take accidents in stride.

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? COOKING • Do not leave your loved one alone in the kitchen. • Monitor for when they are no longer able to cook or help with cooking. • Keep the kitchen “locked”. • Involve your loved one as much as possible.

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? SHOPPING • Accompany but let them do as much as possible. • Closely monitor what cash they carry. • Go to stores they are familiar with. • Shop when stores are less crowded. • Have a list. • When shopping gets too frustrating…

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? MANAGING MEDICATIONS Use a pill box organizer. Develop a routine for giving medications. Use simple language and clear instructions. If they refuse, stop and try again later. If swallowing is a problem, ask if there are other forms. • Make needed changes for safety. • Have Emergency numbers handy. • • •

How do I handle issues regarding ADLs? Some final thoughts on planning… • Talk to other caregivers. • Reach out for professional help, like Circle of Care. • Patience is the key.

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS?

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS? The Six R’s to managing dementia-related behaviors: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Restrict Reassess Reconsider Rechannel Reassure Review

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS? The Six R’s to managing dementia-related behaviors: 1. Restrict – calmly attempt to get them to stop

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS? The Six R’s to managing dementia-related behaviors: 1. Restrict – calmly attempt to get them to stop 2. Reassess – consider what provoked behavior

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS? The Six R’s to managing dementia-related behaviors: 1. Restrict – calmly attempt to get them to stop 2. Reassess – consider what provoked behavior • physical problem (toothache, arthritis)? • a particular person or noise in the room? • time of day or fatigue?

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS? The Six R’s to managing dementia-related behaviors: 1. Restrict – calmly attempt to get them to stop 2. Reassess – consider what provoked behavior 3. Reconsider – put yourself in their shoes

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS? The Six R’s to managing dementia-related behaviors: 1. 2. 3. 4. Restrict – calmly attempt to get them to stop Reassess – consider what provoked behavior Reconsider – put yourself in their shoes Rechannel – redirect behavior to safer activity Disassembling – substitute other items Hoarding/Hiding – replace valuables Distraction – ask for help with simple tasks

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS? The Six R’s to managing dementia-related behaviors: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Restrict – calmly attempt to get them to stop Reassess – consider what provoked behavior Reconsider – put yourself in their shoes Rechannel – redirect behavior to safer activity Reassure – remind that everything is okay

How do I deal with BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS? The Six R’s to managing dementia-related behaviors: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Restrict – calmly attempt to get them to stop Reassess – consider what provoked behavior Reconsider – put yourself in their shoes Rechannel – redirect behavior to safer activity Reassure – remind that everything is okay Review – after unsettling experience, review

What is self care? • Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. • Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced stress. • It helps maintain good relationship with oneself and others. • Self-care isn’t a selfish act either.

Why is self care important?

Food For Thought On an airplane, an oxygen mask descends in front of you. What do you do? As we all know, the first rule is to put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else.

Why is self care important? Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. Caring for yourself is one of the most important —and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too. If you don’t care for yourself, who will care for your loved one if something happens to you?

Signs of Caregiver Burnout Feeling empty Lack of motivation Apathy Emotional, mental and physical exhaustion • Reduced productivity • Low energy • ? ? ? • • • Helpless / hopeless Emotionally drained Loss of interest Cynical / Pessimistic Anger / Resentful Isolation ? ? ?

Healthy vs Unhealthy Self Care Healthy Self Care • • Reading a book Exercising Massages Taking a trip Breathing / Meditation Healthy Nutrition Journaling ? ? ? Unhealthy Self Care • Keeping everything to yourself • Excessive drinking /drug use • Overeating / Not Eating • Over sleeping / Sleep deprivation • Isolation • ? ? ?

Where can I find support?

Where can I find support? Family / friends / neighbors Physician / Social Worker / Counselors Place of Worship Peer support ex: Support Groups, Mentors, Volunteer Support • Community Based Organizations • PSS Circle of Care • •

PSS Circle of Care offers (at no charge): • • Care Coordination Individual and Family Consultation Support Groups/ Educational Trainings Informational Workshops Wellness Activities (i. e. Relaxation, Yoga, Exercise, etc. ) Respite and Supplemental Services Joint Enrichment opportunities

Questions ? www. pssusa. org/caregivers Helpline: 1 -866 -665 -1713 Email: careinfo@pssusa. org

www. pssusa. org/caregivers Helpline: 1 -866 -665 -1713 Email: careinfo@pssusa. org