Caregivers these days suffer from something known as compassion fatigue and burnout. While you may not have heard these terms before, they are very real, and you might identify with them as we continue to live in a state of emergency due to Covid-19. Just how do you stay positive as a caregiver during these times? Read on, weve got some tips for you!Caregivers have a lot to deal with, juggling clients needs as well as their own. Even without the stress of coronavirus, you probably have had to stay positive and balance life while multiple plates are spinning. The following tips will not take much time and can also help your client who is receiving your care, making it beneficial for all involved!Caregiving Tips for Maintaining a Positive AttitudeLearn how to take feelings that are negative from feeling stressed out, to feelings of calm and positivity, with the following tips:1. Stop and pause. Its been proven that in the midst of a stressful situation, simply stopping and taking some deep breaths and slowing your breathing down can help you calm down and regain control.2. Stay thankful! If youve never kept a gratitude journal, start now! Nothing beats the blues better or faster than listing things you are thankful for. Someone else always has it worse than you do, so its usually easy to count your blessings, even in the midst of hardship!3. Be present and mindful. This is simply the practice of staying in the present moment as much as you can. Being present in the here and now allows you to lay down worry over the past and the future. Stay present and stay thankful!4. Dont be afraid to reach out and ask for help! If you are the main caregiver for a family member, professional caregiving services are there to support and help you! This will allow you to take breaks when needed and get some fresh air for yourself. Rememberhome healthcare agencies are there to offer support to you!5. Cook and eat healthy. Food is fuel, both for our bodies and our minds. Eating healthy nutritious meals is critical for a healthy and positive outlook. Take a few minutes to think about your favorite foods, as well as those of the person you are caring for. Prepare those meals as often as you can!6. Reach out and talk to someone. Talk therapy really is super helpful and doesnt have to be time-consuming. Whether you call a friend and chat for a few or a therapist who can help support you through the stresses of being a caregiver, talking is crucial for your mental health.7. Get out and exercise! Moving around is good for your body and your mind. Try yoga or a simple DVD at home. Even a walk around the block will do wonders for your energy levels.8. Listen to music. Music is some of the best therapy there is, especially for dementia patients. Find music that you and your loved one enjoy and make some new memories!Be sure and spend time in nature and enjoy the fresh air. It will do wonders for your stress level and help you keep a positive outlook. Aging can be tough but all any of us really want is to be connected with our loved ones and stay as independent as possible. You can help provide that positive assurance that is needed, and we are here to help you! We hope that you and yours are staying healthy and positive during this unprecedented time in our nations history!Please contact us if you have any questions.Home Helpers of Metro Denver is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, 24-hour live-in care, Alzheimer's & dementia care, Parkinson's care as well as homemaker services in Denver, Centennial, Arvada, Littleton, Aurora, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Cherry Creek, Englewood, Bailey, Golden, The Highlands, Wheat Ridge, Glendale, Cherry Hills Village, and Evergreen, Colorado.Legal DisclaimerThis blog provides general information and discussions about medicine, health, and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare workers.Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which may have been mentioned or linked to in the article.

Hospice care focuses on controlling pain and other symptoms of illness so patients can remain as comfortable as possible near the end of life. Hospice care is highly individualized based on the persons goals for end-of-life care. The hospice team is comprised of doctors, nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), social workers, clergy and volunteers. Expenses may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurance plans.There are many misconceptions regarding hospice and hospice care. Some of the most common are:Hospice is a place.Truth: Hospice is not a place, but rather a philosophy of care in which medical, psychological and spiritual support are provided to patients and their families. Hospice care can be provided in a variety of settings, including a persons home, assisted living, nursing homes, hospice in-patient care centers and hospitals.Home hospice always provides a nurse around the clock.Truth: In home hospice, patients receive visits from nurses, certified nursing assistants, chaplains, social workers and volunteers several times per week, but around the clock care in the home setting is not common. Nursing staff is typically on-call 24 hours a day to provide support to patients. Additional resources for care may be needed, such as a non-medical home health care or private duty nursing if the person is in need of 24 hour care at home. 24 hour nursing oversight and care is provided in hospitals, nursing homes and in hospice acute in-patient care centers.If I choose hospice, I am giving up.Truth: Hospice focuses on caring and comforting, not curing. The goal of hospice is neither to hasten nor postpone death. If the persons condition improves, hospice can be discontinued. Choosing hospice does not mean giving up, but rather that the goals of treatment have changed.Many patients and families have chosen hospice care and resources to support them through an end-of-life journey or health crisis. It can be the right option for some patients when the time comes.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Robin Hartman of Liaison-Marketing for Exempla Lutheran Hospice at the Collier Hospice Center. For more information Robin may be reached at 303-425-8000 or by email Hartmanr@sclhs.net

Rocky Mountain Elder Law recently worked on a case where an elderly man with mild dementia was at risk of exploitation by those around him.An 89-year-old Colorado man (Tom) with mild dementia had a girlfriend in her 60s (Sally). She had a financial Power of Attorney giving her power over his finances. Together, they would regularly visit the various banks he had accounts with to withdraw his money. In addition, the elderly man had a great-nephew (Andrew) whose college tuition he wanted to pay for and a niece, Bree, (the nephews mother) with a serious gambling addiction.Toms 94-year-old sister Helen lived in Illinois and was concerned about Toms money being taken by his girlfriend and family members such as Bree and Andrew. Helen called Toms local Adult Protective Services for a welfare check on Tom to make sure that he was being cared for. Adult Protective Services found that Tom was being physically neglected and living in unsuitable conditions. They then called the police and Helen engaged me to help her brother.Due to his mild dementia, Tom needed a guardian and conservator someone to ensure that he was being taken care of and that his money was safe. In this case, Helen was the only one in the family willing to take on this responsibility, but this was deemed inappropriate because she was out of state and due to her age.Instead, Adult Protective Services proposed a third-party guardianship and conservatorship to give Tom financial and medical security. The guardian and conservator are now an independent person, based in Colorado. Now, Tom has home care, an allowance and his finances are safe. He still sees his girlfriend Sally, but the Power of Attorney she had is void and she can no longer access his finances. Bree had no access to his money, but Tom could still pay for Andrews college tuition, as he originally wanted.This case was successful because this setup gives Tom protection against exploitation, but still allows him independence and the ability to make his own financial choices, as far as he is able.If you know someone who might be at risk in a similar situation, call us on 720-457-4573 or email us at info@rockymtnelderlaw.com.

Most of us think that joint issues, and specifically knee pain, are an inevitable part of aging. While some aches and twinges may likely be age-related, knee pain is not a foregone conclusion for seniors. Diagnosing the cause of knee pain in elderly adults and properly treating knee pain when it does occur can help avoid or at least mitigate its discomforts. In this post, well review some of the common causes of senior knee pain and knee pain treatment options.Causes of Elderly Knee PainSome issues that can cause elderly knee pain include:Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to affect the knee. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process where the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. Rheumatoid arthritis is another form of arthritis that can affect the knee, although it tends to affect younger adults as well.Tendonitis. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon generally caused by overuse or repetitive movement. Running, jumping, and cycling can all lead to tendonitis in the knee.Mechanical issues. Mechanical issues is a fancy way to say that some sort of injury has led to knee pain. This could include a fall or blow to the knee, a sprain, or a twist. Sudden knee pain in elderly adults can most likely be attributed to some sort of mechanical issue.Old injuries. Old injuriesfor example, an ACL tear from high school that was seemingly completely healedcan begin to hurt again as we age. Tissue that was damaged in the past is more susceptible to instability, strain, and degeneration.Elderly Knee Pain TreatmentThe treatment for elderly knee pain depends on what is causing the pain. Your primary care doctor or an orthopedist can help you determine the cause of your pain and then work with you to come up with a treatment plan.Some common treatments for elderly knee pain include:Medications. An over-the-counter pain relief medicine may be enough to calm your knee pain. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe a medication to treat the specific cause of the pain, especially if the pain is caused by osteoarthritis.Physical therapy. Strengthening the muscles around the joint can help relieve knee pain. A physical therapist can help with specific exercises that will address the cause of the pain, particularly if it is tendonitis or a mechanical issue.Injections. There are a few types of injections that can help with knee pain, again depending on the cause of the pain. A corticosteroid injection can help reduce pain and relieve the symptoms of arthritis. A hyaluronic acid injection can lubricate the joint and help reduce pain when moving. Platelet-Rich Plasma injections, a newer treatment, have been shown to reduce inflammation and promote healing for many different conditions.Surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is typically the first type of surgery considered to repair injuries to the knee. It is minimally invasive and the recovery period is relatively short. Partial or total knee replacement surgery is an option when the pain or damage to the knee has become too much to bear. The replacement knee joint (or parts) are made of metal alloys and high-grade plastics so they last a very long time.Medicine and technology have come a long way from the days when knee replacement surgery would require months of bedrest and rehab. Additionally, there are many more options to alleviate knee pain than there were in the past. If you or your elderly loved one does begin to experience knee pain, know that it is not something you simply have to live with, and there are many treatment options that can provide relief.To learn more about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at (877) 268-3277.