S2E12: Tips for Caregivers - Pets, Assistive Technology, & Conversations

Did you know that according to the 2019 University of Michigan National poll on Healthy Aging, 55% of participants age between 50 and 80 own at least one pet and majority of these older adults felt aging was easier, both physically and mentally, because of their pets? Approximately 80% participants said pets reduce their stress. Also, over 25% of pet owners reported that their pet's needs take priority over their own health needs.

These stats and more prove that pets play a very important role in the lives of older adults. So what are the impacts of losing a pet for older adults? How does it affect the purpose and activities in their lives? How can we as caregivers help and communicate with our loved ones during that tough time?

To discuss this and many other topics about our communication with our loved ones, let's have an expert on the subject of caregiver relationships, Debra Hallisey. Debra's most important role these last five years is being her mother's caregiver. She lost her job due to caregiving issues and as a result she founded Advocate for Mom and Dad.

Her mission is to support and educate family caregivers primarily in 3 ways;

 

Number 1, through her blog www.advocateformomanddad.com which is filled with information to help answer the questions where do I start? what do I do next? kind of things. 

Number 2, in her book, Your Caregiver Relationship Contract she explains how to say yes to help and how to create a support network for yourself and your loved one.

And number 3, Debra also consults with family caregivers helping them to navigate the minefield of new family dynamics.

 

Topics:

On her nomination for Caregiving Visionary Awards 2020 What she means by “growing old is not for the faint of heart and it needs careful planning” What she means by elder orphan On older loved ones that are reluctant to share sensitive information Why relationship is really important Her thoughts on bringing professional consultant or a caregiving company How to convince our loved ones to use technology Figuring out what self-care looks like for a caregiver On finding new and different ways to keep us going in terms of self-care Her tips to caregivers to make their lives easier

 

Links:

Host’s email: [email protected] Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors Debra's Website: www.advocateformomanddad.com Debra's Email: [email protected]  Debra’s Twitter: @advocatemomdad Debra’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/advocateformomdad

 

Debra’s Book: “Your Caregiver Relationship Contract: How to navigate the minefield of new roles and expectations” - www.shorturl.at/hBIU4

 

Did You Know Segment: 

https://people.com/pets/poll-pets-make-aging-better-senior-citizens/