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Walk to End Alzheimer's with Us on October 27!
Visiting Angels of Pikesville, led by Team Captain Marcy Silver (our Operations Coordinator), will be Walking to End Alzheimer's
on Saturday, October 27 at the Canton Waterfront Park!
At Visiting Angels of Pikesville, the care we offer those coping with Alzheimer's is one we embrace, but also one we look forward to ending with a cure. Until that day comes, we understand that care is more than a daily activity for caregivers. That is why we're a proud supporter of the Alzheimer's Association. In the past 5 years, Visiting Angels offices throughout the country have generated over a million dollars in donations to help in the fight to End Alzheimer's disease.
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer'sĀ® is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.
There's still time to join our team and lead the way to Alzheimer's first survivor. Together, we can end Alzheimer's disease!
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10 Must-Have Caregiver Resources for Family Caregivers
When you start a new job, there's a formal onboarding process. You get an employee handbook that outlines the company's philosophies and policies, and the HR director or your supervisor may even sit down with you to review it. You sign some documents, attend a few training sessions and participate in continuing education opportunities as they're offered.
What if we treated caregiving like the full-time job it is and offered a formal onboarding process for familiarizing yourself with the work and how to do it?
The problem is that caregiving is so individualized, and changing all the time. Everyone comes to it for different reasons, and some are so deep in juggling care responsibilities with a full-time job, they hardly realize they're a caregiver. That said, there are some universally practical resources from which all family caregivers can benefit.
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7 Caregiving Hacks Family Caregivers Should Know
The one thing many family members playing the role of caregiver have in common? They're learning as they go.
Even the most experienced caregiver may find herself facing a new symptom, behavior, worry or another challenge she hasn't encountered. It's a role that requires you to think on your feet, which can be intimidating for family members not ready for this amount of responsibility for a parent or loved one. Eventually, the needs of your aging loved one may evolve to the point where it makes sense to retain professional help. However, in the meantime, run with these tips and tactics to simplify your oversight of your loved one.
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How Non-Medical End of Life Care Can Help Seniors & Families
While the circumstances are different in every case, the end of life is always a difficult time for seniors and their families. However, even if the end of life process is never easy, the process can be easier with the right support and assistance. At Visiting AngelsĀ®, we seek to provide this support and assistance through our
End of Life Care program
.
This program provides non-medical care to seniors approaching the end of life, while also providing families with the support and resources they need to navigate the end of life process.
Our focus on both seniors and families is a crucial part of this program. When searching for end of life care for a spouse, parent, or grandparent, it is easy to focus on the care that is directly provided to your loved one. Yet, in many cases, a care agency's most valuable work is performed indirectly. After all, your loved one would rather spend their last days enjoying quality moments with those they love. By supporting family members throughout the end of life process, non-medical end of life care can make more of these moments possible.
End of Life Care Important for Seniors and Family Members
When a spouse or family member is nearing the end of life, you may find yourself feeling lost and overwhelmed. Few of us have the training or experience needed to properly care for an ailing loved one, and that's to say nothing of the emotions you'll need to grapple with during this period.
Professional caregivers, on the other hand, have training and experience that you can lean on, improving your loved one's quality of life. An end of life caregiver can alleviate pain and discomfort via a number of non-medical avenues, including:
- Monitoring seniors for signs of pain or discomfort
- Ensuring comfortable sitting or bedrest positions
- Assisting with personal tasks like dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting
- Providing a comforting presence when family is absent
Caregivers who provide non-medical end of life care can often draw on their training and/or experience to improve quality of life for the care recipient in these areas.
However, a caregiver doesn't need to be in the same room as a care recipient to improve that person's quality of life and well-being. Many end of life caregivers run errands, do laundry, prepare meals, and perform other tasks to ensure that the care recipient has everything they need for their comfort and well-being.
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