Caregiver by Design
67 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -If you are a family caregiver of an adult with physical limitations, you deserve all the support you can get. Hi, I’m Angie, an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience, and I’m sharing ways to make your day-to-day experiences less stressful, more effective, and teach you how to improve the wellness of your loved one. Covering topics of exercise, illness, most common challenges, and solutions; you will be prepared to engage in your caregiving journey with a unique therapeutic perspective and skill that is life-changing for both you and your loved one.
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Episodes
How to help your loved one manage pain and get moving
November 04, 2022 01:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBI work with people in pain almost every day and have discovered that there is no benefit to discounting the pain, trying to tell someone that "pain is gain" or that they have to push through it. Instead, acknowledging the pain, finding a new focal point of comfort, and teaching an allowance for movement through the pain with the focus of achieving even one degree of less pain after the mobility; is the approach that works time and again. Chances are that you are no stranger to pain or t...
The power of using the right touch at the right time. What is Effleurage?
October 25, 2022 01:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBIn this episode, you will learn how you can use effleurage to help someone's body prepare to move early in the morning, after being still for a long time, or to arouse the brain-to-muscle connection for those with neurological impairments. What is Effleurage massage? A french word defined as "to skim or to touch lightly" I decided to share this topic with you after a rewarding experience I had this week as a clinician using this touch to help an individual who had been bed-bound, and very...
Feeling stuck? Time to reboot. What you can do today to change your caregiving experience
October 16, 2022 14:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBMany caregivers feel stuck and experience the following according to https://www.whereyoulivematters.org/caregiver-burnout-caring-for-aging-parents/ 55% of CG feel overwhelmed by the amount of care they provide 18hrs is the average amount of time spent providing care 1 in 5 CG report physical strain due to CGing duties Are these numbers your destiny? What areas can you take control over and how can you start making changes today that will help you to avoid falling into these statistics?...
Why skin breakdown can be life-threatening and how to avoid it.
June 15, 2022 21:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBSkin breakdown can have a life-threatening impact and it can sneak up on you and your loved one. You can avoid it and you can also make quick changes to help promote the healing of this condition. Here is what happens: pressure applied to the surface tension of the skin diminishes blood flow to the skin and can have very negative results in as little as 1-2hrs. A serious skin breakdown can develop into an open pressure sore within just one week. An advancing open sore can become serio...
Why skin breakdown can be life-threatening and how to avoid it.
June 15, 2022 21:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBSkin breakdown can have a life-threatening impact and it can sneak up on you and your loved one. You can avoid it and you can also make quick changes to help promote the healing of this condition. Here is what happens: pressure applied to the surface tension of the skin diminishes blood flow to the skin and can have very negative results in as little as 1-2hrs. A serious skin breakdown can develop into an open pressure sore within just one week. An advancing open sore can become serio...
Have you tried these non medication pain interventions? I have, and they work.
April 27, 2022 02:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBPain is something that we all can relate to on some level. Unfortunately, it is one of the most limiting factors for our seniors and for those facing chronic illness or progressive disease. Did you know that the lack of joint mobility produced by getting up and moving around/walking or rolling in bed, increases a person's pain because of these factors? fluid builds up around the joint when a joint is immobile muscle atrophy can cause pain pain elicits fear which limits movement ...
Have you tried these non medication pain interventions? I have, and they work.
April 27, 2022 02:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBPain is something that we all can relate to on some level. Unfortunately, it is one of the most limiting factors for our seniors and for those facing chronic illness or progressive disease. Did you know that the lack of joint mobility produced by getting up and moving around/walking or rolling in bed, increases a person's pain because of these factors? fluid builds up around the joint when a joint is immobile muscle atrophy can cause pain pain elicits fear which limits movement ...
Episode 51: How to minimize falls without minimizing life.
April 17, 2022 14:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBEpisode 51 How can one person's fall destine them to nursing home placement while another suffers different injuries that could be seen as more limiting, yet they are able to return to their prior living situation? I share the differences between the factors of recovery in this episode chronic and progressive illness motivation factors support systems perspective environmental factors Have you ever wondered what OT is and how it's different from PT? I have been an OT for 23 years ...
Episode 51: How to minimize falls without minimizing life.
April 17, 2022 14:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBEpisode 51 How can one person's fall destine them to nursing home placement while another suffers different injuries that could be seen as more limiting, yet they are able to return to their prior living situation? I share the differences between the factors of recovery in this episode chronic and progressive illness motivation factors support systems perspective environmental factors Have you ever wondered what OT is and how it's different from PT? I have been an OT for 23 years ...
How one fall can land you in a nursing home
April 10, 2022 15:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBI don't know of anyone who actually wants to go to a nursing home or wants to have their loved one require that level of care, but it happens. You have probably heard stories of people who fell, broke a hip, and then somehow never come home again. You might wonder how one thing, like a fall, leads to such an undesirable outcome. Well, I am going to tell you. Then, I am going to tell you what can be done differently to avoid that outcome. Here are the major factors that lead to needin...
Why helping your loved one too much isn't really helping.
January 27, 2022 15:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MB60% of caregivers assist with ADLs - we are going to talk about the area that tends to require the most support today. LOWER BODY CARE Contributing factors: Limited hip mobility Back pain Too round in front Arthritic fingers and hands Poor vision Immobile ankles Swollen legs Poor sensation of LE Paralysis In most cases, every single one of these barriers can be worked around to allow for a person to be independent with dressing and washing lower extremities. First, look at a f...
The effects of immobility on health and what to do about it
January 20, 2022 02:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBLet’s talk about the impact of illness or hospitalization on one’s health. I see it happen firsthand as a therapist working in the hospital. People lose their ability to walk and complete self-care with independence within a very short period of time, making it harder for them to go home without additional support. Consider this: How at risk are you? How about your partner, the one you care for? We are moving less and getting out into nature less as we further develop our society. T...
The effects of immobility on health and what to do about it
January 20, 2022 02:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBLet’s talk about the impact of illness or hospitalization on one’s health. I see it happen firsthand as a therapist working in the hospital. People lose their ability to walk and complete self-care with independence within a very short period of time, making it harder for them to go home without additional support. Consider this: How at risk are you? How about your partner, the one you care for? We are moving less and getting out into nature less as we further develop our society. T...
Home from the hospital too soon? Why this is happening and what to do.
January 11, 2022 01:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBPatients have been coming home from the hospital sicker, weaker, and with more complications than you might be prepared to manage at home for a few reasons and the burden on you might be bigger than you expected. This is a global situation. What's going on out there? Covid 19 has overburdened the global healthcare system by adding people requiring treatment to the normal flux of patients Covid 19 has stressed the labor pool of healthcare workers who have to take time off due to e...
Coming back from physical decline
January 05, 2022 22:00 - 38 minutes - 26.8 MBSeriously, you can help just about anyone come back from physical decline if you take the right approach and know where to start. First, consider some of the causes of physical decline: hearing loss, cognition changes, and prolonged inactivity Check out some interesting facts about physical decline at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity Also, consider that it takes 3x the amount of time the body was inactive to regain the lost muscle strength so be patient...
part 2 of "How to build a deeper connection with your partner"
November 01, 2021 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBA follow-up conversation from episode 43. Taking a deeper look at the strategy needed to build connection through the challenges of caregiving. After working with a couple the other day, I wanted to share a deeper perspective with you. Example of a couple working through a basic task that could otherwise cause stress and potential resentment; they discovered how to work together and develop a deeper connection. How could this change your life? Well, consider this: Your Types of stre...
Using touch to fight depression!
October 18, 2021 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBOctober is national depression and health screening month: Did you know that 20% of family CG experience it? That is 2x the rate of the rest of the population! why? October is national depression and health screening month. Did you know that 20% of family CG experience it. That is 2x the rate of the rest of the population! Some causes: limited socialization, lack of touch, isolation, and stress. https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/depression/?ref=CAN The one you are carin...
How to build a deeper connection with your partner.
September 05, 2021 18:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBFirst some facts: 61% of caregivers are women 1 in 5 Americans CG face declining health Here are some of the most common challenges faced by partners who are CGing: Resentment Isolation Depression (research shows that CG experience at a higher rate than their partners) Anxiety Loss of employment Failed relationship Family strain impacting children and extended family What causes this? Focusing on limitations that face you and your partner vs possibility Lack o...
You found a backup caregiver. Now what? Training essentials that will build confidence
July 27, 2021 15:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBGet ready to train your newly recruited caregiving backup with essential skills to build confidence. Consider these top 6 areas. Comfort in physical contact: If there are any areas of injury, skin issues, tenderness issues: make these known If your LO has preferences about contact make that clear Conversational skill and comfort with communications: asking the right questions and reading body language. If there is a certain way that you ask your LO something or an answer that they...
Finding the caregiving backup you need is possible and you can make it happen!
July 19, 2021 12:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBFinding a backup caregiver so you can get some time for yourself is essential but takes some planning. You might be thinking, "Finding the perfect caregiver would be a great luxury." This is not true. First let's look at what the benefits are: Exposure to different people and experiences for your LO Time for you to spend doing whatever you need to do that adds value to your life Safe and planned dry runs in the case of an emergency need for help/backup Building confidence for the p...
Conversation with my husband, an architect, on what to consider when making home modifications, building new or buying a home that you want to have work best for you and your loved one
July 04, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 52 MBBuying, building, and remodeling a home is a huge undertaking for anyone but the challenge is real when you are in need of making it suitable for your aging parents, your spouse with a chronic illness or physical challenge, or if your planning for your own future. There is a growing trend toward people aging in place, coming home from hospitals sooner, and with more significant challenges in terms of illness or physical limitations. This trend will be growing as we progress through time. ...
Conversation with my husband, an architect, on what to consider when making home modifications, building new or buying a home that you want to have work best for you and your loved one
July 04, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 52 MBBuying, building, and remodeling a home is a huge undertaking for anyone but the challenge is real when you are in need of making it suitable for your aging parents, your spouse with a chronic illness or physical challenge, or if your planning for your own future. There is a growing trend toward people aging in place, coming home from hospitals sooner, and with more significant challenges in terms of illness or physical limitations. This trend will be growing as we progress through time. ...
self limiting beliefs are a deal breaker for you living your best life
June 22, 2021 16:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBWe all have self limiting beliefs but those of us who are aware of ours and work to minimize the power they have on our interactions with the world are winning. What is a self-limiting belief: assumptions or perceptions you have about yourself, your abilities, that are often subconscious yet have the power to alter your performance day to day How does your self-limiting belief get in the way of making progress toward more freedom and joy in your life? What is your self-limiting belie...
top 10 ways to provide preventative style caregiving and how it makes your life a little less stressful
June 08, 2021 21:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBThese are not in order of importance but here is a quick reference list of the Top 10 preventative approaches to caregiving that you can take right now and see a difference. Optimize nutrition and hydration Optimize activity in the home/participation in ADL and IADL if able Analyze and improve quality of movement with a daily routine Set medications up for ideal times for best effectiveness and consistency ( talk with your MD nurse) Engage in socializations to increase: cognitive act...
Why caregivers are an important part of a nation's infrastructure and why that matters now more than ever
June 02, 2021 01:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBCaregivers are a vital part of a nation, a societies, infrastructure and there a few reasons why. First, let's define Infrastructure : the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. First, some facts to consider: The average cost of a 3 day hospital stay is 30K ER on average charge about $2300 per visit Average ALF monthly cost is 4K Average nursing home monthly cost is about $...
How to avoid Caregiver burnout and be a part of preventative healthcare
May 16, 2021 16:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MBDo you know what’s going on in the therapy community? They are tired of the insurance game, the productivity expectations of their employer, and they are feeling the push toward finding a new career. Many are actively looking for ways to find a way out of even high-paying jobs. I am a perfect example. What does this mean for you and your loved one? if they are to be placed into STR or LTC you will be seeing this strain. You may see a different type of “rehab” than you expected. In...
What you can do right now about poor balance impacted by low vision.
May 04, 2021 01:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBPoor balance or declining balance is directly impacted by vision. If there is a deficit, you can be sure to see changes in balance. 3 systems that impact balance: Visual Proprioceptive Vestibular So imagine how low vision impacts this. Imagine yourself walking in a dark space. Many older adults are impaired by low vision and it is not even known. Sometimes, it declines or changes before it is caught by the eye exam. Any deficit in joint and muscle feedback is going to minimi...
What you can do right now about poor balance impacted by low vision.
May 04, 2021 01:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBPoor balance or declining balance is directly impacted by vision. If there is a deficit, you can be sure to see changes in balance. 3 systems that impact balance: Visual Proprioceptive Vestibular So imagine how low vision impacts this. Imagine yourself walking in a dark space. Many older adults are impaired by low vision and it is not even known. Sometimes, it declines or changes before it is caught by the eye exam. Any deficit in joint and muscle feedback is going to minimi...
How to use your hands to make a connection and improve health
April 25, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBYour touch has the ability to lower heart rate, minimize inflammation, increase serotonin levels and help make a connection even when that seems near impossible. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and you can make a big impact with purposeful connection between you and your loved one's skin. When was the last time you felt a connection from touch? Thinking about the impact that you can have by using your hands with a therapeutic intention might seem like a stretch for you but I gua...
Simple tips for better nutrition from a dietician specializing in geriatrics
April 11, 2021 15:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBEating right can be a challenge at any age but we all know that the aging process and any recovery from illness makes this more challenging and it can be detrimental. In a previous episode, I discussed how the sole source of energy for our bodies is what we put into it - food. https://www.buzzsprout.com/807851/episodes/8093466 Eating and drinking the right quantities at the right times and with the right ingredients can make a sluggish person transform into one that is more motivated to ...
Are you sandwiched? Pat Sheveland, grief coach and Amazon best selling author shares strategies for a healthier lifestyle while caregiving.
March 28, 2021 15:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBHave you heard of the sandwich generation? You might be in it and not realize you are a part of a large and growing community nation wide that is experiencing a new kind of challenge. Caregivers are finding themselves in a sandwiched situation between taking care of their immediate families and also providing care to their aging parents or grandparents. Life becomes more challenging than one expected when this situation arises and special attention to you take care of yourself ( body, mind...
Are you sandwiched? Pat Sheveland, grief coach and Amazon best selling author shares strategies for a healthier lifestyle while caregiving.
March 28, 2021 15:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBHave you heard of the sandwich generation? You might be in it and not realize you are a part of a large and growing community nation wide that is experiencing a new kind of challenge. Caregivers are finding themselves in a sandwiched situation between taking care of their immediate families and also providing care to their aging parents or grandparents. Life becomes more challenging than one expected when this situation arises and special attention to you take care of yourself ( body, mind...
For the ladies: how to keep the chemistry alive
March 21, 2021 17:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBSpeaking from experience, from the perspective of a woman, a girlfriend and wife to her husband, I am sharing some strategies to keep the chemistry connection while being a caregiver to your partner. I am not a relationship coach or marriage counselor but I have experience in this department and I want to share with you from my heart what has worked for me. If you are a wife or partner and a caregiver, I know you have experienced the shift in the connection and sometimes it gets lost all t...
Eat. Breathe. Live
March 07, 2021 18:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBHave you stopped to consider the impact of a low energy body on your role in caregiving? We are talking about both your energy levels and your loved ones. Energy levels impact the sound quality of someone's voice, their posture, their movement, their interaction with the environment; and a low energy body can make all areas of daily living more difficult. Energy is required to initiate a task, sustain participation in a task and complete a task. Energy is required to ignite the thoug...
What is "Therapeutic Use of Self" and how it can change your caregiving experience
February 22, 2021 02:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBPick a challenging area of your caregiving day. You know, that time of day that you feel stuck or when your loved one just doesn't participate at the level they need to. What if your unique personality traits could be used to help you through those and make it a little less frustrating? There is a term that health care providers know as 'therapeutic use of self' which is defined as the 'thoughtful and deliberate use of one's personality, opinions, and judgments as a component of the t...
Part 2 - OT and caregiving. The similarities.
February 17, 2021 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBThe daily routine of a caregiver includes focus on many of the same things that an OT is looking at when they work with a patient . The difference is in how those things are analyzed and how they are interpreted. Attending to the person with a holistic approach that carefully considers main areas body function ( think of all the ways the body interacts with the environment) and body structures ( think of all the things that keep a body alive), values, beliefs and spirituality. habits, da...
OT defined and how similar you are to being an OT
February 07, 2021 18:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBWhat the heck is OT anyway? The definition is long and sure does encompass a litany of focus areas that bring well being and quality of life to the forefront. When listening to this episode of the podcast, you will see how similar your role as a caregiver is to what an OT does. Without the advantage of the collegiate degree that OT's pursue, you are providing a service to the one(s) you care for that looks a lot like what an OT does. I truly believe that caregivers hold the power to be ...
How do you know when OT or PT is needed?
February 01, 2021 14:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBWondering when it's time to get your loved one OT or PT? There are some major signs that you want to be looking out for as you care for your loved one. You might even want to take notes or journal a few changes that you notice because this can help the physician to get a better idea of what is happening and when it started. Here are a few things to watch for: falling: either frequency increasing or the very first time. You don't need to request therapy right away but you should let the...
Your Vision. Your Goals.
January 24, 2021 15:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBIf you haven't taken the time, as a caregiver, to realize what you want your caregiving journey to look like; today is the day. Join me as I help you to work through the thought process to develop a vision. First, I remind you about the # 1 thing that you need to know. You are probably doing too much. Why? It might be because you have no clear vision of how you want this caregiving thing to go. You are just rolling with the punches right? Your trying to be the best caregiver you can...
Asking your loved one's physician about these often missed topic areas could be crucial
January 17, 2021 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBJust getting to your physician appointment can be overwhelming right? By the time you are in there face to face you might miss an opportunity to bring up some important information. These are often overlooked and can provide very helpful information on multiple levels. 1. voiding the bladder- what should be expected? What is the typical amount per day and volume? If they are on a diuretic, this is especially important to know. They should be eliminating the desired amount dep...
To A Better Year!
January 03, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBAre you as excited as I am to put 2020 behind you? 2020 brought a whole new level of stress and isolation to caregivers. Many people became caregivers in 2020 because they brought their loved ones home from hospitals instead of sending them to nursing homes or alternative care settings. Maybe you have encountered challenges that made you stronger but you want 2021 to be better. What would you like your 2021 to look like? I am not talking about New Years resolutions here. I am talkin...
They move better and life gets a little easier
December 20, 2020 02:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBEven a body that can't move much at all can develop the ability to move better. Why is this important? Well, it can make your life as a caregiver a little bit easier and your loved one more productive and independent. Imagine improving whatever movement that they already have just by doing 2 things: 1. increasing the duration 2. increasing the frequency. Quality of life improves while participating in functional every day activities. They gain independence and you gain a few minutes ...
Why are they so unmotivated?
December 05, 2020 18:00 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBI know you have thought this at one point or another. It's so common and I know it can be frustrated. When the one you care for is not motivated to move, exercise, get their daily self care done or get out of the house; you are often stuck too. You want what is best for them and you really want to see them living life the best way they can but can't seem to say or do the right thing to get them moving. "What do I do to get them motivated?", you ask. My answer might surprise you. You ...
Hygiene Tips
November 16, 2020 13:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBShowering, bathing, toileting... it's all a bit overwhelming. Those are just some of the big picture portions to your caregiving role and just thinking about them might be getting your stress levels going. We are diving into some of the more specific issues related to hygiene; the ones that can really be a challenge. Hygiene challenges. I spent years working in home care and in long term care settings and here are 4 areas that I found were either totally neglected or addressed infrequen...
A less stressful way to start the day
October 27, 2020 12:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBHow much are you helping your loved one get out of bed? Unless your loved one is completely independent in getting out of bed, you know the struggle that getting out of or into bed can be. It doesn't have to be so hard on your body. Let's talk about how important good bed mobility for your loved one is and how to make this less stressful for you both. Some things to consider are environmental aids such as: bed rails ( not the same kind you might be thinking) transfer pole ( floor to ...
Managing Incontinence
October 19, 2020 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBIs the smell of dried, stale urine driving you crazy? Do you feel like the situation is getting worse? Maybe you feel like your loved one is hiding the severity of it from you and you are looking for a way to confront the situation. Did you know that 1 out of 2 women over the age of 65 experience incontinence? How about the 4 kinds of incontinence urge incontinence stress incontinence overflow incontinence functional incontinence mixed incontinence https://www.mayoclinic.org/disea...
Medications
October 06, 2020 11:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBMedications can be challenging on many levels for both the caregiver and the loved one. As the caregiver, you may find this to be one of the most stressful moments of your routine. You may have difficulty with your loved one taking the medications routinely on their own or with support. Maybe your loved one is still living mostly on their own but they aren't consistently taking their medications. This can be a very huge factor in remaining home without additional support. Tips on admini...
Medications
October 06, 2020 11:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBMedications can be challenging on many levels for both the caregiver and the loved one. As the caregiver, you may find this to be one of the most stressful moments of your routine. You may have difficulty with your loved one taking the medications routinely on their own or with support. Maybe your loved one is still living mostly on their own but they aren't consistently taking their medications. This can be a very huge factor in remaining home without additional support. Tips on admini...
5 things you must keep doing for optimal function and mobility
September 22, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBOver the years I have found that there are a few simple but powerful things that hold my patients back from optimal function. These may sound simple but they make a big difference. Each of these affect a persons ability to complete their daily tasks, personal care, functional mobility and general wellness. crossing your ankle over your opposite knee: this simple motion makes it possible to get your clothing over your feet ( pants, socks , shoes) and it makes it easier to wash your feet an...
5 things you must keep doing for optimal function and mobility
September 22, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBOver the years I have found that there are a few simple but powerful things that hold my patients back from optimal function. These may sound simple but they make a big difference. Each of these affect a persons ability to complete their daily tasks, personal care, functional mobility and general wellness. crossing your ankle over your opposite knee: this simple motion makes it possible to get your clothing over your feet ( pants, socks , shoes) and it makes it easier to wash your feet an...