Synergy HomeCare - Longmont

A Parkinsons diagnosis is a life-changing event it changes daily routines, long-term plans and can often become a job in itself to navigate, but still, it is manageable. According to the Parkinsons Foundation, nearly one million Americans are currently living with the diagnosis, and as many of them can attest, its entirely possible to live full, happy, healthy lives. While there are some extra hoops to jump through when dealing with a Parkinsons diagnosis, family caregivers play an important role, especially when understanding how to care for someone with Parkinsons disease.Below are some key takeaways to guide you in supporting a loved one living with Parkinsons.Offering Emotional SupportBefore you offer hands-on assistance, offer emotional support and use your loved ones feelings to gauge how much theyd like to be helped. Encourage, dont nag. Instill confidence in your loved one by encouraging them to continue their everyday routine post-diagnosis, but dont pester them to do tasks that they feel averse to.  Be observant, but not overbearing. Its okay to watch and see how independent your loved one can be, but dont jump straight in and take control of their daily lives.  Embrace and normalize the diagnosis. Nearly one million other Americans are dealing with similar circumstances. Remind your loved one that they arent alone.  Offering Physical SupportThe level of physical help that you should offer is going to be an evolving fine line. Its vital that you dont let a loved one feel robbed of their independence, but its also important that they receive the physical help they need. Start small with: Involving the person in your daily tasks. Invite them to come visit, go on car rides, come grocery shopping, or even just watch TV.  Gently encouraging everyday exercise. Try to find hobbies that can keep them on their feet without making it feel like a doctors prescription. Try gardening, daily walks or light workouts like swimming or yoga.  Managing a healthy diet. Dont overlook what your loved one is putting into their body. Suggest balanced meals with plenty of calcium to combat fragile bones, fiber to minimize constipation and other necessary nutrients.  As symptoms progress, your assistance will likely evolve to tasks such as: Helping with household chores. It may fall on you to keep the house in order with things like cooking, cleaning or staying on top of laundry. If you notice the house in disarray, act without being asked. Eliminate tripping hazards and move furniture to allow for easy access.  Helping with grooming and dressing. Your loved one will likely need help with things like getting in and out of bed, getting in and out of the shower, and putting on certain pieces of clothing. To minimize how much help youll need to offer, consider clothes with Velcro or elastic waistbands, buy shower stools, and keep in mind that stand-in showers are much easier to navigate.  Offering Mental SupportWhile most mental impairments related to Parkinsons dont manifest until later in the diagnosis, the earlier stages still come with plenty of considerations that can leave your loved one feeling burnt out or mentally exhausted. You can help to manage this by:Reminding them of medications. Its difficult to memorize a new routine, especially when it involves specific dosages and administration times. Gently remind or ask if theyre on top of their medication. Offer to create a calendar for administration times on their phone or make a note somewhere in the house, but again, dont be too overbearing.Attending their doctors appointments. Not only will your loved ones appreciate you getting them to the doctor, but theyll also be thankful for the mental load that your presence can alleviate. You can be an extra set of ears to note what the doctor says, and you can relay this information if your loved one forgets later on. Note the progression of their symptoms. If you notice a new symptom for the first time, write it down. This can provide a concrete timeline for you and your loved ones care team to work with.  

Are you a family caregiver who is caring for a military veteran or service member? Do you worry that you dont have any experience in caregiving? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Do you need a break? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. According to PsychArmor, a nonprofit organization providing training on military cultural awareness to promote better communication with active and retired military personnel, the majority of military family caregivers are between the ages of 18 and 30 and have little to no experience with caregiving. They are also juggling starting a career and family, and possibly school while caring for a veteran. For many military caregivers, respite care may help lighten the load. Respite care is a temporary break for the family caregiver and the recipient. It involves another person caring for the veteran. Be sensitive to your loved ones feelingsWhile many military caregivers recognize that they would benefit from respite care, veterans are often resistant to having someone else look after them, and its important to understand why. According to PsychArmor:They could be embarrassed by their physical limitations or memory lapses that dont align with their military identity.Their career in the military involved serving others so being on the receiving end of service may be out of their comfort zone.The culture of leadership in the military instilled a sense of responsibility for and accountability to others that can make it difficult to accept care or ask for help.Share information about the benefitsDespite these reasons, its important that you communicate with your veteran or service member that respite care is necessary for your well-being and will be beneficial in sustaining your relationship outside of the caregiver and care recipient dynamic. Let them know that respite care has been proven to sustain the caregivers health and well-being, which should appeal to their desire to care for you.Consider your optionsOnce you can agree on respite care, consider your options. You can ask a friend, neighbor or someone from your faith community for help. That could involve someone coming to the house or taking the veteran to an activity or to run an errand. You can also consider a professional caregiving company like SYNERGY HomeCare. The cost of these services may be covered by VA benefits. You can also access the VAs Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 to speak with a nurse or social worker who can provide you emotional support as well as connect you with community resources.Respite is an important component of caregiving that can sustain both the caregiver and the veteran for the long terma win-win for all involved. Learn more about the many ways SYNERGY HomeCare supports veterans and their caregivers.  877-432-2692SYNERGY HomeCare is committed to providing exceptional in-home care for veterans and their families. The majority of our locations are contracted with the VA and because of this, we make it easy for veterans and their families to use their VA benefits to get the in-home support they deserve. For additional home care resources for veterans and their caregivers.

A transfer refers to the process of moving a person with mobility issues from one place to another. Sometimes the terms bedridden or bedbound describe people who stay in bed due to illness or injury.Despite the terms, its critical for people to change positions and even get out of bed regularly to prevent blood clots and bed sores that can result from a lack of movement and blood flow.Proper transfers are not just a routine caregiving task, but a lifeline for people who spend a lot of time in bed. They play a pivotal role in maintaining health, comfort, and dignity. Whether youre a family or a professional caregiver, follow these tips for safe and effective transfers:Maximize ComfortTransfers can cause pain or discomfort in patients so use extra pillows to cushion the person. Take the time to communicate with the person and ensure theyre comfortable.Using any sudden, forceful movements can put someone at risk for injury, so take it slow. If the person can bear some of their weight, let them. If necessary, ask another person for help to avoid potential injuries.Use Proper FormIts important to protect your lower back by using proper form. Keep your back, head, and chest up straight, your stance wide, and your knees bent, careful not to stretch your back or turn your waist. Lift the person with your legs and not your back. Doing this minimizes any injury risk for you or the client during the process.Its helpful for the person being transferred to have their arms crossed over their chest to avoid having an arm trapped underneath them when placed somewhere else. Avoid having the person hold on to you or your neck, as this will add weight. It could even lead to a possible neck or back injury.Determining the Right Device to UseMany transfer devices can be used to help make transferring someone from bed to chair much easier. You can use slide boards, slide sheets, hoists, and transfer belts. Consult a healthcare provider to determine what device is best to use.SYNERGY HomeCare has partnered with BeasyTrans Systems, which makes premium gliding transfer boards to provide a much smoother and more comfortable experience for the patient. These specialized no-lift transfer boards give both patients and caregivers peace of mind as they dont have to worry about the potential injuries that often occur with tugging, twisting, and lifting with other assistive devices.For more information on how to care for your loved one who has limited mobility, please check out SYNERGY HomeCares all-in-one resource for disability care, A Family Guide to Understanding & Supporting Adults with Disabilities. To find out how to get your own BeasyTrans Transfer board, please call 877-432-2692.