Healthy caregivers help clients better.
caregiver
Companionship
The best part of my job is companionship. My clients are kind people that are alone or may have very little natural support,so they count on me to show up. However some of my job is not cleaning or bathing ,its just being there .
Some of the times I have enjoyed the most are when I was watching Hallmark movies with a sweet lady that enjoys my company. We pop some popcorn and then find a wonderful movie. My favorite movie so far was called Winter’s Castle. A hotel made of ice with a wonderful love story.
Taking walks with clients is a great exercise activity for them but its bigger then that for me. Talking with the clients about the weather or their day means so much. I enjoy the stories they share with me.
Take the extra time to share some of you with the client and listen as they talk to you even if it is just about a movie.
Be there or be square
Many aspects of being a caregiver are important and necessary but the most important is to be show up for every shift. These people are counting on us, caregivers to be there. They need a bath, supper or maybe help with their medicine.
Small steps the night before can help you to be on time for your shift. Filling your gas tank the night before, no chance of getting stuck on the side of the road with a fuel light reminder beeping.Another great idea is leaving a few minutes early just in case traffic is heavy or there is a road closure.
Go to bed on time and get up on time will help make sure you get to your shift on time. Don’t hit snooze or watch an extra show because either way it can make you late. Clients count on us to show up so go to bed early and show up for the.
1.Go to bed on time
2.Choosing your clothing the night before .
3.Prepare what you can the night before.
4. Get woke up, drink coffee or shower what ever you need.
5.Set a second alarm across the room if it will help you.
6.Choose get breakfast ideas such as a banana or muffin.
7. Build in some flex time for anything extra you might need to do in the morning.
Give all you can to be the most prepared for the clients that count on on you daily to take care of all their needs, oh and please wear your smile.
Skin Care for my Clients
Caregivers have many jobs and taking care of the client’s skin is so important. Here are just a few Tips that I would offer to anyone caring for a elderly loved one or client.
1.Try to not over shower, I know that sounds crazy but their skin is sensitive and excessive showers can strain the skin along with the chance of damage to their skin. The skin can tear easily and cause wounds very easily.
2. Don’t use soaps or lotions that have strong fragrances. Always rinse the skin very well also to make sure all soap is removed.
3.Make sure the person drinks plenty of water,hydration helps the skin. Also put lotion on after they take a shower or bath. That is another from of hydration.
Taking care of the clients skin has health benefits but it also makes them just feel good. A warm shower or bath with a little lotion and cold drink of water is a great day for your clients.
Just a Bad Day
I have written about many things in this blog such as healthy food, giving bed baths and healthy food choices for the elderly and disabled but today is different. As a caregiver I go into the homes of the client to help them, support them and at the end of the day I love them. So when a client gets sick, hurt or dies it is heartbreaking.
Yesterday I got a call about someone that I have cared for over the last three years, this person fell. The client was hurt badly and this makes my heart hurt for them and their family. It is never a good call when someone you have taken care of, visited with, laughed with and grown with gets hurt or sick. To make this even worse the client will not be heading home after the stay at the hospital, to a nursing home. I cried most of the day. In fact I missed my college class and just went home.
What I do every day is worth it. The bad days, backaches and long days to be with these people everyday. Help make their time on this Earth as great as possible. While days like yesterday are hard and sad I will get up and go to a clients home today and each day after. I will share love and laughter knowing one day I will get a sad call about each person I care for.
Always wear GLOVES
Standard precautions are a must in the home health care world. Caregivers enter many homes sometimes on the same day with different infection with different clients. So the most important thing to do is washing our hands daily and after each interaction with any body fluids such as urine, blood, saliva and sweat.
Wearing gloves is so important with any personal care. Personal care can include but not limited to activities such as bathing, brushing teeth, dressing, feeding, cooking for the client, help with medication and transferring. The caregiver needs to change gloves with every activity change. Changing gloves when the gloves become wet or soiled as well. Gloves can not be washed or reused, just one of the many don’ts with the use of gloves.
Precautions are for the benefit Happy hand washing. and protection of the client and the caregiver.
Caregivers Care Podcast1
Cleaning for my clients
Clients have many different needs as we go into their homes. One huge need caregivers provide is cleaning. Sometimes we have to sweep, mop, dishes, dusting, vacuum and anything else that the client might need.
Viruses, bacteria and infections thrive in dirty places so using a good cleaner helps quite a bit. I prefer Lysol cleaners such as the kitchen spray for the counters or aerosol spray to disinfectant things such as couches.The added bonus is the cleaners all smell amazing.
Caregivers wear many hats.
So many different duties are required such as mopping a floor, giving a bed bath and helping someone get in their wheelchair. Some of the things we as caregivers do can be as simple as watching a movie or talking about a loved one the client misses.
Caregivers CARE 