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  • Eating and Drinking: Seven Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

    Eating and Drinking: Seven Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
    2024/10/22
    As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned eating and drinking become significant challenges. Through our experiences, and what we've learned from support groups and others on their journeys, we've developed seven important tips to help you and your care receiver navigate dining. Rate, Subscribe and Share Your Tips on Social Media! Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast. If you don’t see your preferred platform click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review” You can log in with Twitter, Facebook or GoogleOn the right you’ll see a box with “Follow”, “Rate and Review” and “Share” Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com Additional Resources Mentioned Episode 13 - Incontinence Overnight here These resources contain affiliate links so we may receive a small commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you. Bibs here Spork here Lowbowls hereGrippy placemats here Other great caregiver dining aid products here Takeaways Tip 1: Observe Their Natural Eating Habits Observe and record how they naturally eat and drink (e.g., time of day, order, how they cut their food, which hand they use for each utensil).Continuously observe, adjust, and share with others who are helping your care receiver with their eating and drinking. Tip 2: Utilize Pre-made Meals and Visual Cues Leave pre-made meals in easily accessible places (e.g., eye-level in the refrigerator).Use visual cues like notes on the refrigerator or preset table settings with a note where the plate will go that tells your care receiver where the meal is.Check to make sure they have actually eaten their food and finished what they had to drink so you know if they’re able to understand what to do. Tip 3: Pre-cut Food, Adjust Portions, Observe How They’re Able to Eat and Drink Pre-cut food into manageable pieces.Consider converting sandwiches and other foods into finger foods.Be aware of changes in hand stability, grip strength, vision, and coordination.Some people with dementia diagnoses lose regulation with their appetite. It’s important for us to observe how they’re eating and the portions they’re eating to make sure they’re getting the proper amount of food. Introduce non-breakable drinkware, consider tops or adult sippy cups. Tip 4: Prepare for Messier Eating Consider using regular bibs or large disposable bibs Place a towel on the chair to catch spills.Keep a basket of cleaning supplies (e.g. paper towels, hand wipes, table wipes) handy for quick clean-ups. Tip 5: Simplify Eating Utensils and Tableware Low bowls with a slight rim make it easier to push food onto utensilsSporks combine the functions of spoons and forks, so one utensil can be used.Grippy placemats keep plates from sliding. Tip 6: Monitor and Adjust Nutrition Watch for unexplained weight loss or gain.Consult with doctors if you notice sudden changes.If you move your care receiver to a memory care community, develop nutrition plans and weight monitoring processes and stay actively engaged with them. Tip 7: Gradually Take Over Feeding and Hydration Position yourself closer to them at mealtimes to make assistance easier.What begins as prompting them to eat or drink and gradually increases to handing them their utensils and/or putting food on their utensils, showing them their drinking glass becomes modifying their drinking glass to make it easier for them to use, to eventually fully feeding them and controlling their beverages. Read More in This Blog here
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    22 分
  • Shave, Brush Teeth, Trim Nails and Hair: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

    Shave, Brush Teeth, Trim Nails and Hair: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
    2024/10/15
    As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned that shaving, trimming nails, brushing teeth and trimming hair - what we’re calling personal care - can become challenging. These challenges often arise around the same time as bathing and dressing difficulties. How we provide support for our loved one will vary based on whether they stay at home during their journey or move into a care community. Not surprisingly, personal care is an area where many tips can be provided! Through our experiences, what we've learned from support groups, and others on their journeys, we've developed four initial areas of tips to help you and your care receiver with their personal care. Rate, Subscribe and Share Your Tips on Social Media! Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast. If you don’t see your preferred platform click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review” You can log in with Twitter, Facebook or GoogleOn the right you’ll see a box with “Follow”, “Rate and Review” and “Share” Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com Additional Resources Mentioned These resources contain affiliate links so we may receive a small commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you. Electric razorFor men hereFor women hereOral swabs hereElectric hair trimmers here Full Show Notes https://thecaregiversjourney.com/personal-care-four-essential-tips-alzheimers-and-other-dementias/ Takeaways Understanding Personal Care Challenges in Dementia Care Tip 1: Mastering the Art of Shaving Transition to an electric razor as early as possible. Begin your support by prompting and supervising, gradually inserting yourself into the process.Try shaving when your care receiver is calm, possibly after meals or during naps.Aim to shave men's facial hair at least every other day to prevent discomfort from longer hair. For women, transition to electric razors for safety. Women also tend to become comfortable with letting their body hair grow.As early in their diagnosis as possible, get a thorough dental examination. If there is any dental work that's important to be completed, do it while they still understand and can participate.Consider transitioning to a dentist specializing in disabilities.If possible increase dental visits to every three months.Start by reminding your care receiver and supervising their tooth brushing.Gradually take over the process - for example, begin by handing them their toothbrush, transition to handing them their toothbrush with toothpaste on it, then transition to beginning to brush their teeth.Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and less toothpaste to prevent swallowing.Consider using disposable oral swabs with mouthwash for additional cleaning. Tip 4: Hair Care and Trimming Take photos of the hair style your loved one has.If they color their hair, talk about keeping it colored or letting it become their natural color.There are hair stylists who will come to your home instead of you having to go into a salon. Consider transitioning to easier-to-manage hairstyles.Learn basic haircutting techniques or ask their stylist to teach you.For women, longer hair in a soft bun might be easier than short styles.Personal care trimmers are very helpful for both men and women for eyebrows, hair in the ears and nose. Read More in This Blog here
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    22 分
  • Bathing and Dressing: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer's and Other Dementias

    Bathing and Dressing: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer's and Other Dementias
    2024/10/08
    As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned bathing and dressing can become significant challenges. These activities are often early signs of transitioning from the initial phase of the caregiving journey where we’re simply prompting and helping them, to what we call the "messy middle”, when we begin asserting more control. We are Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan. Through our experiences, what we've learned from support groups, and others on their journeys, we've developed four important tips to help you navigate bathing and dressing for your care receiver. Takeaways Here are four tips to help you navigate this phase: Tip 1: Simplify Instructions As the journey progresses, your care receiver may begin struggling with multi-step instructions. Start giving one instruction at a time. Break down their tasks into smaller steps. Consider adaptive clothing options. Tip 2: Gradually Insert Yourself into the Process As their challenges increase, it’s time to become more involved in their bathing and dressing process. From early in their journey, if you haven’t already learned their natural bathing and dressing routines, observe and note them. Prompt or assist them in their routine order. Set up the bathroom to make it as easy for them as possible to bathe (if you normally keep everything put away, put the items out where they can see everything they’ll need), Put their clothing out. (Tip: When I began putting my husband’s clothing out, I began putting my clothing out as well, explaining to him I had heard this was a great tip to simplify dressing, and wanted to try it myself.) This helps maintain their dignity. Prepare everything needed for their bathing and dressing in advance. Consider marking the preferred shower temperature on the faucet. Tip 3: Transition to Sponge Baths At some point, traditional showers or baths may become too challenging or stressful. Use non-rinse bathing wipes for body cleansing. Try non-rinse shampoo caps for hair washing. For facial cleansing, consider products like Burt's Bees Micellar Water. Maintain a regular schedule of cleaning, even if it's not a full bath every day. Tip 4: Assist with the Dressing Process As with bathing, dressing will require more assistance over time. - Transition to adaptive clothing when appropriate, especially if incontinence becomes an issue. - Ensure safety during the dressing process (e.g., have them seated when putting on socks). - Be attentive to their comfort, including temperature preferences. - Encourage participation in the process as much as possible. Read More in This Blog here Additional Resources Mentioned Episode 11 - Cleaning Your Care Receiver here These resources contain affiliate links so we may receive a small commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you. Adaptive clothingShorts snap up herePants snap up hereVery nice adaptive clothing here Disposable incontinence underwearFor women hereFor men hereAdult washcloths/wipes hereNo-rinse bathing wipes hereNo-rinse shampoo caps here Rate, Subscribe and Share Your Tips on Social Media! Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast. If you don’t see your preferred platform click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review” You can log in with Twitter, Facebook or GoogleOn the right you’ll see a box with “Follow”, “Rate and Review” and “Share” Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com
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    23 分
  • Incontinence Overnight: Four Essential Topics / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

    Incontinence Overnight: Four Essential Topics / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
    2024/10/08
    As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned overnight incontinence is one of the most challenging aspects of the journey. It's not a topic often discussed, yet it's a reality for us to face with compassion, dignity, and preparation. We are Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan. Through our experiences, we've developed four important tips to help you navigate overnight incontinence in your caregiving journey. Takeaways Overnight incontinence can be particularly challenging because it affects the sleep of both the care receiver and the caregiver. It often requires a balance between managing a mess and getting necessary rest. This stage can be an inflection point in the caregiving journey, potentially requiring additional help or considering moving your loved one into a care community. Here are four tips to help you navigate this challenging phase: Tip 1: Transition to Nighttime and ultimately Disposable Incontinence Underwear It's important to ensure your care receiver has appropriate protection overnight. Tip 2: Protect the Mattress Accidents will happen, so it's important to protect the bed. Tip 3: Make the Bathroom Easy to Find Help your care receiver locate the bathroom easily if they wake up during the night. We cover this in detail in podcast episode 9 Preparing for Incontinence. Tip 4: Keep Your Care Receiver Comfortable Overnight As incontinence progresses, it becomes important to take additional steps to ensure comfort. Navigating overnight incontinence in Alzheimer's and dementia care is challenging in the beginning as you’re both adapting. With patience, curiosity, compassion, preparation and the right mindset, it can be manageable. Key points: Transition to appropriate nighttime protection.Protect the mattress and be prepared for frequent sheet changes.Make the bathroom easy to find.Keep your care receiver as comfortable as possible overnight.Consider a mid-night change if possible.Maintain hydration but manage fluid intake timing. Blog here Additional Resources Mentioned Episode 4 - Wandering hereEpisode 10 - Incontinence Begins hereChild proof door knob cover or double deadbolt locks for external doorsChild proof door knob covers hereExtra tall pet gate from (40” to 70”) - 57” helpDisposable incontinence underwearFor women hereFor men herePadsMattress pads34”x36” here72”X36” hereDisposable incontinence pads hereBrown large pet pee pads hereMattress bag herePeelaways hereCameras or baby monitor for the bedroom and bathroomBaby monitors - some come with motion alarms hereMotion alarm hereCameras - If your care receiver is still staying home alone, consider one with an intercomRing indoor with two-way talk hereWashable incontinence underwear For womenColors hereCream hereFor men Briefs hereBoxer briefs hereDisposable incontinence underwearFor women hereFor men hereDisposable incontinence underwear guards For men hereFor women hereAdult washcloths/wipes hereDisposable incontinence pads hereRound tipped scissors here Rate, Subscribe and Share Your Tips on Social Media! Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast. If you don’t see your preferred platform click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review” You can log in with Twitter, Facebook or GoogleOn the right you’ll see a box with “Follow”, “Rate and Review” and “Share” Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com
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    30 分
  • Bowel and Bedbound Incontinence: Two Essential Topics / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

    Bowel and Bedbound Incontinence: Two Essential Topics / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
    2024/10/01
    As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned that full incontinence is an inevitable part of our journey. It’s a topic not often discussed, yet it’s a reality for us to navigate with compassion, dignity, and preparation — for both us and our care receiver. We are Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan. Through our experiences, we’ve developed 2 valuable tips to help you navigate bowel and bedbound incontinence in your caregiving journey. Watch Bowel and Bedbound Incontinence: Two Essential Topics / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias https://youtu.be/PD4zOctyfPw Takeaways Read More in This Blog here Additional Resources Mentioned Episode 10 - Incontinence Begins hereEpisode 11 - Cleaning Your Care Receiver hereChanging a bedbound care receiver YouTube video here Changing a Depend with a bowel movement hereDisposable incontinence underwearFor women hereFor men hereWheels for bedBed with railsWedge pillowAdaptive clothingShorts snap up herePants snap up hereVery nice adaptive clothing here Non-rinse bathing wipes hereAdult washcloths/wipes hereDisposable incontinence pads hereRound tipped scissors hereScented small trash can liner hereAdult incontinence can here Rate, Subscribe and Share Your Tips on Social Media! Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast. If you don’t see your preferred platform click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review” You can log in with Twitter, Facebook or GoogleOn the right you’ll see a box with “Follow”, “Rate and Review” and “Share” Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com
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    32 分
  • Cleaning Your Care Receiver: Three Essential Tips / Alzheimer's and

    Cleaning Your Care Receiver: Three Essential Tips / Alzheimer's and
    2024/09/24

    As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned managing incontinence is one of the most challenging aspects of our journey. It’s a topic where having detailed information is vital to our adjusting to this part of our journey mentally, physically, and emotionally.

    We are Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan. Through our experiences, and insights we’ve learned from others in support groups, we’ve developed three indispensable tips to help you navigate the important component of incontinence care with your care receiver — cleaning them

    Takeaways here

    Additional Resources Mentioned

    • Episode 10 - Incontinence Begins here
    • Episode 12 - Bedbound and Bowel Incontinence here
    • Episode 13 - Incontinence Overnight here
    • Adaptive clothing
    • Shorts snap up here
    • Pants snap up here
    • Very nice adaptive clothing here
    • Disposable incontinence underwear
    • For women here
    • For men here
    • Adult washcloths/wipes here
    • Non-rinse bathing wipes here
    • Disposable incontinence pads here
    • Round tipped scissors here

    Rate, Subscribe and Share Your Tips on Social Media!

    Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.


    Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast.

    If you don’t see your preferred platform click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review”

    • You can log in with Twitter, Facebook or Google
    • On the right you’ll see a box with “Follow”, “Rate and Review” and “Share”


    Connect with us and share your tips:

    • Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.com
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/
    • Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com
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    24 分
  • Incontinence Begins: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

    Incontinence Begins: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
    2024/09/17
    Who knew that understanding the stages of incontinence could make such a difference in our caregiving journey? As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we’ve learned incontinence is an inevitable - and can be - a challenging part of our journey. It’s a reality and a topic that’s not often discussed. It’s helpful for us to be prepared to navigate incontinence with compassion, dignity, and grace for our care receivers and for us. We are Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan. Through our experiences, we’ve developed four tips to help you navigate the pre-incontinence and early incontinence phases on your caregiving journey. Takeaways Before we introduce your tips, it’s helpful to understand what we mean by ‘pre-incontinence’ and ‘early incontinence’. Pre-Incontinence This is the phase before actual incontinence begins, when our care receiver is showing signs incontinence may be on the horizon. Signs include: Using the trash can instead of the toilet for toilet paperNot flushing the toiletResisting drinking to avoid bathroom tripsLooking around anxiously (potentially for a bathroom) Early Incontinence When actual incontinence begins, it usually starts with urinary incontinence. Your loved one may still be trying to find the bathroom but often doesn’t make it in time. Signs include: Not getting to the bathroom fast enoughHolding their stomach, bottom, or between their legs Tip 1. Make it Easy to Find the Bathroom Yes, to us this sounds simple. To our loved one, they are disconnecting with the signs their bodies are telling them they need to go, and the steps to use the bathroom. One of the most effective ways to support your loved one during pre-incontinence and early incontinence is by making the bathroom as accessible and easy to find as possible. Tip 2. Schedule Bathroom Breaks Establishing a consistent bathroom routine can significantly reduce accidents and make the transition into full incontinence more manageable. Tip 3. Simplify Cleanup As incontinence progresses, accidents will happen. Being prepared can make cleanup easier and less stressful for both you and your loved one. Tip 4. Think Positively and Have Lots of Grace Perhaps the most important tip of all is to maintain a positive attitude and extend grace to both you and your loved one. Read More in This Blog here Additional Resources Mentioned Episode 11 - Cleaning Your Care Receiver here These resources contain affiliate links so we may receive a small commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you. Child proof door knob cover or double deadbolt locks for external doorsChild proof door knob covers hereExtra tall pet gate from (40” to 70”) - 57” hereDisposable incontinence underwearFor women hereFor men herePadsMattress pads34”x36” here72”X36” hereDisposable incontinence pads hereBrown large pet pee pads hereEasy mopsSwiffer mop hereBona hereHard surface cleanersPine Sol herePooph hereOdoban hereFabuloso hereCarpet cleaningResolve Urine Destroyer hereResolve Ultra Pet hereBissell Pet Carpet Cleaner hereResolve Urine Destroyer Carpet Cleaning Machine Formula here Rate, Subscribe and Share Your Tips on Social Media! Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast. If you don’t see your preferred platform click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review” You can log in with Twitter, Facebook or GoogleOn the right you’ll see a box with “Follow”, “Rate and Review” and “Share” Connect with us and share your tips: Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suearmstrongryan/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytreaster/Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com
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    27 分
  • Preparing for Incontinence: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer's and Other Dementias

    Preparing for Incontinence: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer's and Other Dementias
    2024/09/10

    Description

    Who knew being prepared could make such a difference in managing incontinence? Incontinence can be one of the most difficult areas of our caregiving journeys. It’s personal. It’s awkward. It’s rarely something discussed — by anyone — making it potentially uncomfortable to talk about. It’s also one of the most important areas to navigate with compassion and dignity — for us and for our care receiver. Early preparation is essential. This is your moment of truth as a caregiver. Ask yourself: Can I handle this physically? Mentally? Emotionally? And if so, how? The good news is, you’ve got time to think it through, talk with others, and make smart decisions. Use this runway wisely — your future self will thank you. We are Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan — we’ve faced incontinence care head-on. Trust us, it’s better to think about this now or you’ll wish you had. There’s a lot going on with incontinence! In this episode, we’re sharing four game-changing tips to help you be prepared.


    Takeaways

    For takeaways click here

    Additional Resources Mentioned

    • Episode 11 - Cleaning Your Care Receiver here

    These resources contain affiliate links so we may receive a small commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you.


    • Washable incontinence underwear
    • For women
    • Colors here
    • Cream here
    • For men
    • Briefs here
    • Boxer briefs here
    • Disposable incontinence underwear
    • For women here
    • For men here


    Rate, subscribe and share your tips on social media!

    Please click here to review, follow or subscribe to our podcast.

    If you don’t see your preferred platform, click on Podchaser and click at the bottom “Write my review”


    Connect with us and share your tips:

    • Website: https://www.thecaregiversjourney.com
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiversjourney/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversJourneys/
    • Email: sue@thecaregiversjourney.com, nancy@thecaregiversjourney.com


    Keywords

    Preparing for incontinence, Boundaries, Alzheimer's, dementia, caregiver, caregiving, dementia care, memory care, dementia caregiver blog, Alzheimer's blog, caregiver blog, senior caregiver blog, dementia caregiver tips, how to care for someone with dementia living alone, information on dementia for caregivers, how to be a caregiver for someone with dementia, family caregiver, frontotemporal dementia, dementia caregiver tips, family caregiver, Sue Ryan, Nancy Treaster, Susan J Ryan
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    28 分