Carebook for Elder Caregiving: Informational Primer

By Victoria Risener

Informational Primer for Elder Caregiving ....from Preparation to End of Life Cycle. What to plan and things to consider that are important for the caregiver, the elder patient, the family and the care team. Things you need to know, information you need to keep on hand including the healthcare providers, financial and legal issues, as well as helpful resources.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483545318

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INTRODUCTION:

Prepared for life changes for the elder generation and how to deal with them? Too old to be young and too young to be old, just needing a little assistance now and then to stay active and involved? Who’s nominated to help and what does it mean to be a Caregiver?

The internet has become a major information vehicle of choice by persons of all ages. But what information do we need to be a Caregiver? It’s a journey from companionship through daily assistance to end of life cycles. The better prepared the Caregiver, the better the quality of life for the Caregiven. It truly is a puzzle, but being aware and understanding the facets involved make the pathway clear.

The following is offered to assist you in putting all the puzzle pieces together:

Cares and Concerns of the Caregiver

Initial Preparation

Home Preparation

Financial Affairs

Legal Affairs

Health Care Programs

Services

Resources

Activities and Hobbies

Helpful Informational Sheets

Throughout your journey as a Caregiver conditions and needs change. If you are prepared for those changes the transitions will be easier. Take it one step at a time and

DON’T DO DISCOURAGED : DO DETERMINED!

1.0 CARES AND CONCERNS OF THE CAREGIVER

Caregivers are the people involved in the care of an individual who requires assistance in their daily life due to accident or the aging process or debilitating diseases. Although this could be someone of any age and most of the information herein will apply to their care, this book is intended more for the care of the elderly.

The definition of a Primary Caregiver is normally thought to be the patient’s physician. However, based on experience, I believe there are two primary Caregivers – medical physician and the daily Caregiver.

The daily Caregiver is thought to be responsible for the daily medical and dietary care of someone and is usually a spouse, adult child or relative who can take on the daily care and assistance without payment for services.

Other Caregivers are usually other family members, doctors, or those named by a court of law to administer the welfare of an incapacitated individual on a permanent or temporary basis. These individuals may be a primary Caregiver, but usually are the financial coordinator authorized to act on behalf of the individual should the need arise.

The role of a Caregiver is one of constant change, as the needs change for the better or the worse. The relationship of one to the other is very important as the patient must realize the Caregiver is there to assist and not to serve. The Caregiver should allow the patient to be as active and self-sufficient as possible for as long as possible in all their daily activities and business