It can be very beautiful to take care of someone and also takes an enormous amount of patience, physical and mental endurance, and you may even experience spiritual fatigue. You must ask yourself if this is something you can do while also recognizing your limitations and where your relationship is in regard to whom you are caring for. Are there past situations that turned into problems that never got resolved? What does it look like financially for that person? Is it feasible to hire more help? Will there only be one person caring for the person?
Here are a few things you can do so that it doesn’t fall all on one or two people. It takes a village and there are many resources to name just a few:
Meals on wheels. So many times we are caring for our seniors things happen such as stoves getting left on or maybe they are no longer able to cook. Meals on wheels is available in most states. They are home cooked meals that get delivered to the house and they cannot just drop food off on the porch. Someone has to open the door to receive the meal (and that’s a welfare check once a week). Meals on wheels also has a social worker that can connect clients and families to other resources they may need.
Local churches are another great resource to help with visiting and they can even have the chaplain come for support . Many Catholic churches, for example, can help with some food and supplies.
Talk with neighbors to help come visit or bring meals. Every little thing counts.
Medicare and Medicaid and other insurance companies can also help with some of the cost of caring for someone at home.
It’s important to remember that building community for your loved one not only helps your loved ones thrive but helps the caregivers as well.
When Does End of Life Care Begin?
Greetings and thank you for reading!
Many of you right now at this very moment are asking yourselves how do I wrap my head around end-of-life decisions and where do I begin? It starts while you are living and does not have to be a complicated and a depressing task. There are no right and wrong answers because everyone has the right to make their decisions in their own way and to die with dignity. It is important to also include your families and loved ones in talking about your decisions. Let us practice on the thinking and discussion part as I give you some things to consider…
A) DNR. A DNR means do not resuscitate. this is a piece of paper you can retain on line or most health care facilities. This states that in the event that something should happen to you, you have the choice to be resuscitated or not by lifesaving measures such as CPR. Emergency medical personnel are trained to find this paper on the side of your fridge and if it says do not resuscitate ,they will not.
B) A living will. This is called your advanced directive for surgical/medical treatment. This piece of paper can be retrieved in most health care facilities or on line. This paper states how you want to be cared for should you have a terminal illness. You have the choice to state things like, do you want to be provided comfort from pain? Artificial nutrition and hydration? If my doctor certifies and says it in writing that I am in a persistent vegetative state then how do I want to be cared for then?
C) Along with the paper work stated above it is also important to discuss who will be your representative for your medical decisions. You will also need an MPA. Medical power of attorney. You have the choice to appoint this person and have their status as MPA go into effect right away or when a qualified medical professional has determined that you are unable to make or express your own decisions.
In the state of Colorado MPA need not to have witnesses or be notarized although it is good to consider the notary as it will be acceptable in other states. Also, your POA which is power of attorney for finances in Colorado does require a notary but witnesses are not required. POA is appointed to take charge of your finances . This person can speak to your bank on your behalf, write and sign checks and pay bills.
Remember that you are still living until you die. Please consider gathering with your loved ones and start the necessary discussions so that you can be taken care of in the way that you want to be. Thank you for reading and stay with me for part 2 on When does end of life care begin?
Many blessings to you all.
Anything can happen. Recently we had a fire and then mud slides began after some rain and then I fell ill for a week which leads me to my next conversation with you all.
We are aware that things happen such as natural disasters. With this, here are a few things that we should consider.
We want to make sure we have proper paper work in order because we never know what can happen. We want to keep them somewhere safe and easily accessible to grab in the event you must leave your home in a quick and efficient manner.
It’s also important to keep medication on hand and a supply kept somewhere that is easy to access for you, your loved one, or any pets you may have.
Its also good to have some cash on hand.
You can keep items in a duffel bag ready to go.