When a patient is discharged from the hospital, rehab center or nursing and he or she returns home, it can be a stressful time for any caregiver. Take a look at this Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service video which provides valuable tips to assist both the patient and caregiver during this time of transition.

Afterwards, download and print out their helpful discharge checklist.

Based on my experience as a therapist in the hospital and home care setting, I have found these questions helpful to ask prior to your loved one’s discharge.

1) Do…

Do you remember the Jetsons cartoon of the 1960s? Wife Jane and Rosie the maid managed to run the household utilizing space age technology like video phones. I remember throughout the 1980s waiting for the long-promised video phone. All our problems would be solved as we caught up with siblings wearing our pajamas and chatting by video phone.

In 2007 I traveled to Poland for work, and a colleague introduced me to Skype so that I could video chat with my husband each day. I called him at 6 a.m. from Oswiecim…

A few nights ago, I spoke to 94-year old Ann on the phone. She called because she wasn’t sure if her nurse would be visiting her the following morning and she felt particularly anxious that evening. As I reviewed Ann’s information, it revealed she had a history of congestive heart failure and she lived alone. After asking her a series of assessment questions, I ruled out any emergency concerns, provided some care advice, and I sent a message to the nurse to contact her in the morning.

During my conversation with…

Do you need support, supervision, personal care, socialization or fun-filled activities during the day for a loved one over the age of 65? If the answer is yes, Adult Day Services may be just what you’re looking for. Many people are not aware of the benefits of adult day programs, and through this blog, I hope to share the magic and support that these programs can provide.  

Caring for an elderly loved one can be stressful and is not necessarily a one-person job. Sometimes “it takes a village” to provide all the care that someone may…

Whether you’re caring for an elderly parent, a significant other with a new diagnosis, or an ill child, you may have already experienced the difficulties of maintaining your own physical and mental health while acting as primary caregiver.

Tips to avoid burnout
If you have the assistance of a regular home health aide or a friend or family member who can allow you to take breaks, take advantage of those moments. Get out of the home to take a walk, or go window shopping. Sit at a local coffee shop to sip…