Wise Advice for Caregivers
by
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Chapter 8
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path. Proverbs 3:6
Stroke
A Stroke is a decrease in the blood supply to the brain. The brain is damaged if it does not get enough blood to it. A Stroke is also called an infraction. This affects the central nervous system. This will influence the muscular and skeletal system. Because of this, the client is disabled in their body muscles, extremities, and also their speech. They experience weakness in the movement of their bodies. The movements in their extremities are hindered.
Strokes usually hit one side of the brain. For example; if the stoke is on the right side of the brain, the left side of the body will be effected. If the stroke is on the left side of the brain, the right side of the body will show the result from the stroke. The side of the body that had the stroke will be paralyzed. This means the client cannot move that side of their body, no matter how much they try. Through physical therapy and exercise, the client can get back some use of that part of the body. Strokes can also cause blindness in one or both of the eyes. It can also cause a disturbance in the client’s sense of balance. Sometimes when a client has a stroke they can lose consciousness and pass out. They can be in a coma for a time. Their body will have trimmers and the nerves will die, hence this is why the paralysis.
Some of the symptoms of a stroke are many. They can be so subtle that you don’t know if the person is having a stroke. These can be called mini strokes. If you think your client could be having a stroke, it is important to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
1. The speech may be slurred, the inability to talk.
2. The tongue may look crooked or turned to one side.
3. The face may have numbness on one side.
4. A part of the body may not move.
5. The client may not able to walk.
6. They may have a sudden heaviness in the arm or leg.
7. The client may feel a tingling sensation or numbness in the arm, leg, or face.
8. They may lose control of their muscles.
9. There will be confusion.
10. Headache.
11. Vision disturbance.
12. Dizziness.
13. Loss of bowel, and bladder control.
The caregiver must to be alert about how the client is feeling. Be very aware of the body actions and movements, when the client is moving around. Look at the face of the client. When a person has a stroke, their face on one side will be expressionless. On one side of the face, the lip will drop.
Always remember to take care of yourself while you are moving the client. If they are in bed, protect your back. If they are sitting in a chair, protect your back. Just remember you are not a, “supper person,” and have the muscles to lift excessive weight. Lifting people is hard work. It is very tiring. You need to get yourself in shape to lift people. Start exercising and start doing strength building exercises. This will help you considerable to assist your client. You will feel more confident just by knowing you have the strength to assist and life your client.
Being a caregiver of a dying person is not easy to do. There is a lot of work in the end process. Some of the things I mention to do are not easy to do, and it takes a lot of courage to do them. You may feel nauseated because of the care you have to do. Using an aspirator machine is not easy because it is gross. I have done this myself for clients a few times, and I was nauseated. I have taken care of many dying people. The thing that helped me is a lot of praying to God for the strength to do this work. To hold off the offensive smells from the client, or the environment, I put on Vicks brand vapor rub underneath my nose. This camouflages the smells so that you can tolerate doing the offensive smelling jobs.
Chapter 11
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. Buddha
Help for the Caregiver
The caregiver is the most important person in the care of the sick and the elderly. They are important to the many tasks that have to be done within a given day. The caregiver is the first person the client sees in the morning; and the last person the client sees at night when they go to bed.
The day for the caregiver is a long and a busy day. There are many responsibilities and duties that the caregiver has to do. The day starts early in the morning before the client wakes up. This regimen of work can be a long week work schedule. This can last for many days and weeks. If a family member is doing the care giving, the days will be long and worrisome.
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About the Book
Wise Advice for Caregivers was inspired by the author’s experience as a caregiver. She gives advice and guidance about how to best perform your job as a caregiver to a parent, family member, patient, or client, and also provides support for doing home care for the elderly. Many people have to provide elder care for their families, as the baby-boomer generation are rapidly becoming senior citizens who need care. This book, Wise Advice for Caregivers, also provides the definition of diseases, injuries, common surgeries, and sicknesses of the elderly. The definitions are explained with simple descriptions. The author also gives some common sense advice on how to deal with the various problems that occur in care giving, such as: how to move and lift the client, how to give comfort and love to someone who is dying, and how to prepare for the additional care needed during that time. The caregivers will need to heed advice to take care of themselves, so they don’t experience “burnout” while care giving. She gives safety tips so you don’t hurt yourself while transferring the client from one place to another, addresses hospice care for the dying patient, and gives a list as to what will occur from the start of disease to final days.
About the Author
Diana S. Davis has many years working as a caregiver. She started at the age of nineteen taking care of her husband, and this extended to other kinds of caregiving experiences that spans forty years. She has gone to college and studied psychology and sociology.
Diana has done hospice care for dying clients and also worked caring for the elderly, sick, and handicapped clients. She has also worked in the medical field for many years as a phlebotomist, drawing blood. She learned that the elderly and handicapped had many challenges they faced each day. The caregivers and families that have to care for the clients or family members have challenges too.
Diana is willing to share what helped her in her work as a caregiver.