Circles of Care How to Set Up Quality Care for Our Elders in the Comfort of Their Own Homes

by Cason, Ann; Lindbergh, Reeve

• ISBN13: 9781570624711
• ISBN10: 1570624712
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-10
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

"My parent needs help, but refuses to consider a nursing home." That's the dilemma facing millions of baby boomers today. How can we ensure responsible, compassionate, even uplifting care for our aging parents at home? Mindfulness is key, Ann Cason writes. Good care begins with watching and listening, with entering the elder's world and accepting it. Drawing on decades of experience in caring for the elderly, Cason helps us understand how old age feels and how we can help. Then, through exercises, care studies, and numerous examples and suggestions,Circles of Careshows how to: Work out a plan of care Assemble and foster a caregiving team Create an uplifting daily routine-and vary it creatively Plan nutrition, medical needs, finances, and outings Improve the elder's personal care and physical environment Ease conflicts between elders and their caregivers or families Avoid caregiver burnout Work with mood swings, confusion, and memory loss

Author Biography

Ann Cason is founder and director of Circles of Care, an organization that provides homecare consulting and training services to both families and caregivers of the elderly. She has been a caregiving coordinator and consultant for over twenty years.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction	xix
Before You Start	xxiii
PART ONE: The Basics
Entering the Elder's World	3	(11)
Looking Three Ways	4	(2)
Looking to the Elder's Strengths	6	(1)
The Circle of Care	7	(1)
Exercise: Telling the Elder's Story	7	(2)
Care Study: Listening and Letting Go	9	(5)
Getting Help	14	(12)
Assessing the Elder's Everyday Needs	14	(2)
Determining the Range of Available Services	16	(2)
The Care Coordinator or Manager	18	(1)
Hiring Helpers	19	(2)
Qualities of a Good Home Attendant	21	(1)
Live-In Care	22	(2)
Overnight Care	24	(1)
Finding a Good Home-Care Agency	24	(2)
The Nuts and Bolts of Daily Care	26	(11)
Finances	26	(1)
Medical Needs	27	(2)
The House and Its Safety	29	(1)
Personal Care	29	(2)
Giving a Bed Bath	31	(2)
Meal Preparation	33	(1)
Housekeeping	34	(3)
Building a Team	37	(10)
The Care Book	37	(3)
Orienting New Helpers	40	(2)
Team Meetings	42	(2)
Individual Meetings	44	(1)
Relationship between the Team and the Family	45	(1)
Celebrations	46	(1)
The Daily Schedule	47	(22)
Example of a Daily Care Plan	48	(1)
Morning Routines	49	(1)
Dressing	49	(1)
Afternoon Routines	50	(2)
Evening and Overnight Routines	52	(2)
Other Activities	54	(2)
Housework and Deskwork	54	(1)
Going Out	54	(1)
Inviting Visitors	55	(1)
Welcoming Mishaps	56	(2)
Care Study: Discipline as a Way of Life	58	(11)
PART TWO: The Subtleties
Enriching the Elder's Environment	69	(11)
Noting Impoverishment	69	(2)
Enriching the Elder's Physical Environment	71	(3)
Enriching the Elder's State of Mind	74	(3)
Enriching the Elder's Social Life	77	(3)
Letting Go of the Old, Accepting the New	80	(13)
Feeling the Elder's Loss	80	(2)
Helping the Elder Let Go	82	(1)
Lending Physical and Emotional Support	83	(1)
Encouraging Communication	84	(5)
Tips for Embracing the Elder's World	89	(1)
Exercise: Dealing with Silence	90	(3)
PART THREE: The Realities
Working with Difficult Behaviors	93	(39)
Confusion	95	(2)
Memory Loss	97	(3)
Restlessness and Wandering	100	(1)
Mood Swings and Hallucinations	100	(2)
Mistrust and Overcontrolling	102	(1)
Criticizing and Demanding	102	(1)
Combative Behavior	103	(1)
Working with Difficult Behavior	104	(8)
Slogans to Help You Work with Difficulty	112	(2)
Giving Yourself a Break	114	(3)
Care Study: Criticism and Caring	117	(3)
Care Study: Conflict and Well-Being	120	(5)
Care Study: Delusions and Relaxation	125	(4)
Care Study: Desires, Demands, and Boundaries	129	(3)
Respite Care and the Nursing Home	132	(9)
Realizing When You Need Help	132	(2)
Choosing a Nursing Home	134	(2)
Settling In	136	(2)
Supporting a Person in a Nursing Home	138	(3)
The Generosity of the Dying	141	(22)
Signposts of Dying	142	(1)
Supporting the Dying Person	143	(2)
Communicating with the Dying Person	145	(5)
Working with Pain	150	(6)
Learning to Be Present with Death	156	(2)
Tips to Comfort One Dying at Home	158	(1)
Tips to Comfort One Dying in the Hospital	159	(1)
Care Study: Henry's Last Gift	160	(3)
Resource Guide	163