Caregiver Stress: Tackling Tough Decisions In the Age of COVID
Caring for and making decisions for an aging and sick parent is never easy. But as the coronavirus continues to complicate matters for older adults, it can be even more challenging to know how and when to step in. However, sometimes choices must be made, and when that time comes, it pays to be prepared. Senior Care Central explains what you need to consider.
How Does the Virus Affect Seniors?
Scientists and doctors have made inroads in pandemic research, and all are resolute in reporting that older adults are in the highest risk category. As Johns Hopkins explains, those over age 60 with pre-existing conditions, such as lung disease and diabetes, are at the greatest risk. For these reasons, if you are caring for a senior with a health condition, the decisions you make now are that much more important to their overall health and well-being.
Getting It Together
Even if you’ve already discussed your senior loved one’s wants and wishes, you may not be legally able to make decisions if they take a turn for the worse unless you have legal documents in place. Elder Protection Center lists the most pertinent of these as a medical directive, power of attorney for health care, power of attorney for finances, revocable trust, and a will.
Each of these documents allows you to give direction in different areas. For example, the healthcare power of attorney lets you quickly make decisions about things like medical treatment in case your loved one is incapacitated. Becoming appointed as the executor of a will gives you the power to carry out their final wishes as far as their estate and belongings go. Making arrangements while your loved one is able ensures their wishes are met.
Hospice Care
As your loved one declines, it may be necessary to arrange for hospice care. If your loved one’s illness worsens and they cannot take care of themselves and they need assistance maintaining a medical condition or hands-on care when it comes to bathing, dressing, and eating, it’s likely time for hospice care to take over. You might even be attempting this care yourself, but find yourself in a burnout situation, in which case a professional is the best choice for you both.
Financing the Future
If your loved ones’ needs outweigh their ability to continue in their current living situation, it might be necessary to sell their home to cover expenses. Keep in mind, however, that the real estate market has changed in response to COVID-19.
First, find out what you can earn from the sale of the home by running some calculations online. It’s also a good idea to learn about your local market to help with your decisions. You can get a better idea of what their home might sell for by doing some research on market trends in the area. If their property value has dropped dramatically, it may be wise to wait and use other means to pay for expenses until the market perks back up.
For instance, you could rent out the property to generate income to cover your loved one’s living expenses. Just bear in mind that by turning the home into a rental, you or your loved one will be responsible for tenant vetting, maintenance and upkeep. You’ll also need to gauge the cost of local rentals. Denver apartment rentals right now are averaging $1,874 for a one-bedroom. If this seems like an ideal scenario, you can also work with a property manager to handle rental operations for a small percentage.
Key Takeaways
- The coronavirus affects senior citizens, and that can make it more difficult for caregivers to make decisions about their well-being.
- Without having legal documents in place, any decisions you do make may not be carried out.
- Real estate prices may affect your loved one’s ability to pay for care, and research may be needed when facing a home sale.
Again, it’s not easy to make decisions for a loved one, particularly one who has a life-limiting illness and may not be able to offer input. But as a caretaker, making decisions is something that you have to do. As the world continues to remain uncertain, having a plan in place now can save you and your entire family from indecision and heartache during what is surely one of the most stressful times of your life.
5 Reasons Exercise is the Best Treatment for Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia is a form of brain injury that can result in paralysis on one side of the body. In neurological rehabilitation, exercise is considered the cornerstone of recovery from stroke. One of the most common forms caused by trauma to the head or neck can be addressed through rehabilitation exercises. You will improve your power and functioning by working your muscles and enhancing coordination with physical therapy exercises.
1. Exercise Releases Brain-Protecting Chemicals
Exercise triggers the release of the brain-protecting chemical called endorphins. Endorphins make you feel happy and pain-free while helping you deal with the stress of being hemiplegic. Exercise also has the power to boost your levels of serotonin and dopamine, two essential neurotransmitters needed to combat depression.
Exercise can also relieve anxiety, helping you to get a good night’s sleep and cope with negative emotions. Exercise also releases neurotrophins, which are the chemicals that promote the growth of new neurons and synapses in the brain. Neurotrophins are needed to combat cognitive decline and the risk of developing dementia.
2. Exercise Builds Muscle and Strength
Exercising even while in a wheelchair can help you improve your strength and build the endurance necessary to move around more on your own. However, you might feel that the things you can do have been severely limited, but you can still challenge your muscles and build strength.
You can increase your upper-body strength by pushing yourself to hold items for longer periods or by trying to keep a grip on things such as a pen or a cup for a longer period. Or you can increase your endurance by holding your legs in place for a few minutes or pushing yourself to work with your legs for longer.
Exercising can also help you improve your posture, which can help you to reduce pain and decrease your risk of developing future complications. Exercising can be challenging in a wheelchair and may require creativity, but it is certainly possible. There are several ways to incorporate exercising while in a wheelchair, such as leg lifts, arm exercises, or using a special treadmill-type device.
3. Exercise Will Help You Regain Mobility
If you have been diagnosed with hemiplegia, you will most likely start your rehab process in a wheelchair. Although you may feel like you have been permanently relegated to a wheelchair, exercise can help you regain functional mobility when the time comes to transition out of it.
If you have been in a wheelchair for some time, you may have noticed that your leg muscles may have atrophied (weakened). This lack of muscle strength and endurance can lead to the need for a wheelchair ramp or stair lift in the future, as well as compression stockings, shoe inserts, or knee-high compression socks for poor leg circulation. Exercise can help you build up your leg muscles, which can help you avoid these items and regain your mobility.
4. Exercise Makes You Stronger and Quicker When You Do Get Up and Move
When you first start exercising, you may feel like you are pushing yourself to the limit. However, as you keep exercising, you will see that your strength builds up and that you can do more each time. This will give you confidence that even though you may be in a wheelchair now, you can still do things and will be able to be independent and move around on your own when the time comes.
Exercising can also help you to develop your gross motor skills. We use these physical skills daily, such as walking, running, and playing sports. These are also the skills most often impacted when someone has hemiplegia.
If you have been in a wheelchair for some time, you may have noticed that your gross motor skills have deteriorated. Exercising can help you regain these skills so that when the time comes to get out of the wheelchair, you will be able to do so quickly and easily.
5. Exercise Improves Balance
As you exercise, your muscles become stronger, which can help to improve your balance if you have hemiplegia on one side. There are many exercises that you can do to help improve your credit. You can try standing on one leg while you are sitting in a chair or while you are lying down. You can also try exercises focusing on your balance, such as yoga, tai chi, or even walking.
When you have hemiplegia, getting the proper amount of exercise is important. This will help you to maintain flexibility and mobility in your body, reduce pain, and feel more confident about getting out of a wheelchair and living your life fully.
Online Educational Programs for Mental Health
Mental illness affects nearly one in five adults, and the stigma surrounding mental health makes it even harder for those who need help to get it. Fortunately, online education gives people access to knowledge no matter where they live or how much free time they have. These best online mental health programs are a great way to learn about mental illnesses, their symptoms, and how to recover if you or someone you know is dealing with a crisis.
These courses will help you develop a strong understanding of the importance of mental wellness while also providing valuable information on how to recognize the warning signs of an impending crisis and what to do if someone you know is showing early signs of depression or another type of mental illness, just like when you catch diabetes on the early stage is can be treated or your doctor can explain how type 2 diabetes can be reversed just because of early diagnosis.
What is a Mental Health Program?
A mental health program can be either a short course or a degree program. Some of the main topics that you might learn are signs of mental illness, how to help someone who is suffering, and how to seek help if you need it. Mental health programs can also be helpful to people who work in the mental health field and want to stay updated on the latest research.
Mental health programs are useful for many different people, but they aren’t the same as mental health therapy. Some online mental health programs do include a section on therapy, but the main focus is on the facts and information related to mental illness for example you want to lose weight and instead of going to a dietician you get an online weight loss diet chart. If you want to learn how to help yourself or someone else through therapy, you might want to look into online therapy programs instead.
Mental Health Counseling Certificate Course
This mental health counseling course from Walden University is designed for people who want to become a licensed mental health counselor. It takes about two years to complete on a part-time basis and includes both online and campus-based learning. The coursework starts out with an introduction to the field before diving into psychology concepts, theories, and research.
Students will also study ethics and cultural considerations, as well as their own personal issues and the ways in which these affect their work. The course culminates in a supervised field experience where students will apply their skills in a real-world setting. This course is accredited by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Walden also has a variety of other online counseling programs that are not designed to lead to licensure.
Mental Health First Aid Certification Course
This online mental health first aid course from Mental Health First Aid USA teaches people how to recognize when someone may be suffering from a mental health condition and how to help them get the proper treatment. The course covers signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses, as well as substance use disorders.
It also discusses how to create a safe environment for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This is a good course for anyone who wants to understand more about mental health but does not want to become a therapist. The certificate for this course is recognized by employers, schools, and other organizations, so it’s a great credential to add to your resume.
Depression and Anxiety Online Course
This course from Anna Marie University focuses on treating depression and anxiety. It’s a good option for people who are interested in the mental health field but don’t want to become a licensed mental health professional. This course is also a great option for people who want to understand their own struggles with mental health better.
This course is designed to help students understand their own triggers, as well as how to manage their symptoms and create a healthy lifestyle. It has interactive exercises and other activities that make it more engaging than many online courses. The course is self-paced, so you can work through it at your own speed.
It also comes with a money-back guarantee, so you can try it without risk. This depression and anxiety online course is also accredited by the International Board of Clinical Specialists.
Bipolar Disorder Counseling Course
This online bipolar disorder counseling course from GRACE University teaches students how to help people with bipolar disorder. This course also teaches students about their own triggers, so they can better manage their own bipolar disorder. The course features video lectures, a library of course materials, and a forum where students can discuss the course content with others.
It’s a good option for people who are interested in the mental health field but don’t want to become a licensed mental health professional. This online bipolar disorder counseling course is also accredited by the International Board of Clinical Specialists.
Conclusion
Mental health is a crucial component of overall health. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize the importance of mental health until they or someone they know is in crisis. Online mental health programs are a great way to learn more about mental health and the signs and symptoms of mental illness. These programs also provide essential information about how to help someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis.