The Pros and Cons of Being a Full-Time Caregiver

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Your parent is getting older and can’t manage daily tasks on their own. They need a caregiver. You’re wondering if you could fill that role for them after consulting an expert similar to a Denver conservatorship lawyer in order to ensure all financial matters are taken care of.

Before you make a decision, you should take a look at the pros and cons of becoming a full-time caregiver for your parent:

Pros: You Become Closer with Your Parent

Acting as a full-time caregiver will deepen your relationship with your parent, sometimes in unexpected ways. They could be more open and vulnerable with you than ever before. They could share their fondest memories with you. Your bond could be the strongest it’s ever been.

Pros: You Get a Chance to Give Back

You know that your parents worked hard to make sure that you were healthy, happy and cared for when you were growing up. This is an opportunity for you to repay them for all of that loving attention and sacrifice. They were there for you, and now you can be there for them.

Cons: Not Having the Right Accommodations

If your parent is moving in with you so that you can be their full-time caregiver, you might realize that your home wasn’t built with their needs in mind and it would be better suited to seek elder care Lynchburg based or similar. Your home has no access for mobility devices – there are steep staircases, tight doorways, awkward floor transitions and no ramps whatsoever. The bedrooms are all on the top floor. The bathrooms have no safety features.

Having the right accommodations available is important. You can try to renovate your space, or you can arrange for your parent to move into a senior home that prioritizes age in place retirement living by offering numerous accessibility features and professional care options. A great senior nursing home will be ready to address your parent’s needs and more. If your parents are disabled, you must be careful and ensure they receive proper care. There are a lot of companies that offer home care for disabled and elderly people that can ease their lives and might help them to stay independent. Using keywords such as “disability home care Melbourne” could provide you with the desired results by giving you a list of local service providers.

Cons: Putting Everything Else on Hold

When you take on the role of caregiver, you can’t do much else. Plans for your career, your schooling and hobbies will need to be put on the back-burner while you’re taking care of your parent. Even if you have flexible work hours and understanding bosses, caregiving will take up most of your time and energy. There’s no way to juggle all of these responsibilities. That’s why so many women quit their full-time jobs and put their careers on hold when they decide to tend to their elderly parents.

If you’re not ready to make this sacrifice, you should look for other elderly care options.

Cons: Stress

Another problem that comes with a full-time role is stress. Taking care of someone 24/7 can be exhausting because it doesn’t leave you with any time to decompress and take care of yourself. This becomes even most difficult when you are caring for someone with dementia or other mental ailments. Milwaukee Memory Care Placement Services or similar elderly care facilities make it easy for many caregivers who are unable to help their elderly parents. In some ways, both parties should approach professionals when it comes to the matter of elderly care. For the senior, they get better treatment and professional help they require. Caregivers can save the stress and exhaustion that comes with senior care. There is a reason why so many adult children go through caregiver burnout after doing chores, running errands and attending appointments without taking a moment to stop and relax.

Caring for your parent isn’t just physically exhausting – it can be emotionally exhausting, too. If your parent isn’t responding well to your help, it could take a real toll on your well-being. It will be difficult not to take any anger or resistance as a personal slight.

Now that you know some of the pros and cons that come with being a full-time caregiver for your parent, you can make the right choice for both of you.

Join Our Fight Against Wound Infection – Say #NoToStaphy

I seldom attend events especially when they are set on weekdays but one Wednesday morning last year had me getting ready to go out right after the kids hopped onto their school service. What had me waking up extra early and braving the morning traffic? An invitation from LEO Pharma™ and their digital partner PurpleBug® to a Mommy Bloggers Meet and Greet Event featuring talks about wound care by Dr. Kristine Guitierrez and Dr. Irene Gardiner, both experts in the field of medicine. Yes, I didn’t mind traveling from my little abode in the East all the way to Sofitel Manila and back because I believe that every mom like me SHOULD know proper wound care.

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Dr. Irene Gardiner, Dr. Kristine Gutierrez, and Mr. Lars Olen (VP Leo Pharma Global)

 

WOUND CARE 101: MYTHS DEBUNKED

What’s the first thing you do when your child comes running to you with a wound? I bet the first thing you do is grab that bottle of hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound and to immediately kill the germs. The more bubbles there are the better, right? I’ll be bursting your bubble but that is SO NOT TRUE! Hydrogen Peroxide may kill some of the germs (I say MAY because it doesn’t always do) but it also destroys the cells that help repair the wound. The same thing goes for alcohol. Next time, your child has a minor wound, just wash it with soap and water.

Myth #1: Wounds should be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide.

Myth Debunked: Hydrogen Peroxide destroys other cells. Use soap and water instead.

You check your child’s wound and see that there’s no foul odor coming from it and there’s no drainage. You breathe a sigh of relief that there’s no infection. Uh-oh! Better put some medicine on that wound because ALL wounds are susceptible to infection. Even if there’s no foul odor or visible pus, your child’s wound could still be infected.

Myth #2: All infected wounds have foul odor and drainage.

Myth Debunked: All wounds are susceptible to infection.

 

After you have cleansed your child’s wound, you keep it dry and uncovered for it to heal faster. You could even use a wound healing tool like Woundvite. After all, you have always been told that bacteria will flourish under a wound dressing. Wrong! First, cells need moisture to grow, so keeping your wounds moist will help it heal faster with less scarring. Second, bacteria will only flourish if you don’t change the dressing regularly.

Myth #3: Keep wounds dry.

Myth #4: Bacteria will flourish under a wound bandage.

Myths Debunked: Wounds heal faster if kept moist.

 

Now that we have debunked some of the most common wound care myths, the next thing we moms absolutely need to know is how to properly treat wounds.

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Dr. Kristine Guitierrez says #NoToStaphy with Fucidin!

 

WOUND CARE 101: STEPS TO PROPER WOUND CARE

After finding out that wound should not be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide, I’m sure you’re now at a loss what to do when someone in the family has a wound. Here are the 7 steps to proper wound care I learned during the event:

 

  1. STOP the bleeding by applying steady but gentle pressure. If necessary, elevate the wounded area.
  2. CLEAN the wound and the area around it with soap and water. Remember, no hydrogen peroxide or alcohol please.
  3. PROTECT against wound infection by using topical medicine such as Fucidin®
  4. COVER big wounds with bandage to decrease chances of infection and to aid in faster healing.
  5. CHANGE the dressings when the bandage becomes dirty or wet.
  6. OBSERVE for signs of infection such as redness, increasing pain, warmth or swelling around the area, and pus oozing out.
  7. CONSULT your doctor if infection does not heal, if the wound needs stitching, if the bleeding does not stop, or if the wound is from animal bites.

 

During the event, I not only learned more about wound care but also received my very own wound care kit. Inside my first aid kit were sterile cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs, gauze pads, plastic strips, surgical scissors, medical tape, antiseptic (for sterilizing hands not the wound!), and, of course, my partner in wound care, Fucidin® Ointment.

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SAY NO TO STAPHY, SAY YES TO FUCIDIN

Have you met Staphy? I have met Staphy the mascot and found him cute instead of scary. BUT the real Staphy (staphylococcus aureus) is nowhere near cute. Staphy lives in our skin and in mucous membranes such as inside the nose. He isn’t considered harmful on ordinary days but this naughty bacteria wrecks havoc when there’s a break in the skin surface. Staphy finds its way underneath the skin, multiplies, and infects the skin and underlying tissues in the wound. Naughty Staphy causes nasty wound infections!

STAPHY 1There’s no need to fret though ‘cause LEO PharmaTM has been providing us the best weapon against wound infection – Fucidin®. I remember Fucidin as one of the medicines we always had in our medicine kit when I was young. Yes, Fucidin has been in the market for many years now (And, yes, I am old! :D). It has been proven to effectively fight against wound infection without minimal side effects and risk of sensitization. It’s safe enough to be used by babies and pregnant women.

Fucidin® comes in two formulations – Fucidin® Ointment and Fucidin® Cream. Dr. Guiterrez shared an easy to remember mnemonic to help us decide which formulation to use:

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If the wound is MOIST, use CREAM.
If the wound is DRY, use OINTMENT

 

JOIN OUR FIGHT AGAINST WOUND INFECTION

As moms, one of our duties is to keep our kids LEO Pharmahealthy and happy. That also includes making sure that they are well-protected against wound infections. With partners like LEO PharmaTM whose mission is to help people achieve healthy skin, we moms can go full force against infection.

Join us in our fight and say #NoToStaphy! Check out the following social media sites to know more about proper care for wound infection and Fucidin®:

 

Fucidin Team

 

#NOTOSTAPHY

Jumpstart Family Fitness at Mom and Me Fun to Be Fit

After the successful run of Mom and Me Fun Circuit last year, Mom and Me now comes with another series of fun family activities.   This March, start your new family fitness routine through Mom and Me: Fun to Be Fit.  Each session costs only 350 pesos for both parent and child so this is a very affordable way of trying out different fitness activities and finding out which ones will work best for your family.   Read on to find out more about Fun to be Fit.

(Press Release from Mom and Me)

IT’S FUN TO BE FIT WITH MOM AND ME!

Keeping fit and healthy starts in the home. Kids need physical activity to build strength, coordination, and confidence and it is the parent’s responsibility to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. How can you do this, you ask? The answer is simple – engage in physical activities with them and make it a daily habit.

For kids, fitness means playing and being physically active. Once they enter nursery until they get to big school, exercise comes in the form of playing tag with friends, P.E. classes, and attending organized sports such as basketball or swimming. However, parents can no longer rely on physical education in schools to provide enough physical activity for kids. They need to play a more active role and make fitness a family routine.

This March, jumpstart the summer with Mom and Me: Fun To Be Fit, a series of health and fitness activities that both moms and kids will enjoy.

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Yoga for all ages have become popular as this activity improves the three elements of fitness – endurance, strength, and flexibility. Moms and kids, and even dads too, can sweat it out in the mat with an interactive yoga class from Yoga+ on March 1 (12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and White Space Mind and Body Wellness Studio on March 15 (12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.).  Poses that promote fun, laughter, and creativity will keep the kids engaged while moms challenge themselves in their own yoga practice.

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While yoga entails focus and flexibility, aerobic dancing involves heart-pumping movements and is a great way to improve coordination and memory. Make your way to Slimmers World on Mach 8(9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) in their Megamall branch and March 22 (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) in Trafalgar Makati branch for a fun and easy dance work out. Moms will also enjoy a signature Body Fat Analysis and Figure Consultation, Nutritional Counseling, Diamond Peel and a Slimming Treatment. Dancing to upbeat tunes, prepare to sweat it out. You’ll surely find yourself doing the routine even until you get home.

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Swimming is one of the best workouts you can give your body as it activates almost all of your muscle groups at the same time. Since you’re floating in water, there’s less pressure on your joints and bones, and it almost seems like you’re not really exercising. Rounding up the Mom and Me Fun To Be Fit series is a swimming class with Coach Herman Brinas as hosted by The Legend Villas on March 29 (9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.). Paddle, kick, and soak the sun, it’s a fun fitness activity for a Saturday afternoon.

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Entrance Pass is only Php 350 good for mom/dad and one child per day. Participants get the chance to win in raffles and will receive a loot bag filled with treats.

Allow enough time for free play, regulate the use of gadgets, and keep a variety of games and sports equipment at home. You’ll be surprised how a jump rope can make a big difference. Show your kids that fitness is important by engaging in fitness activities with them. Mom and Me: Fun To Be Fit gets you and your little one active together. Get in shape and create moments that you and the kids will remember for a lifetime!

Mom and Me: Fun to Be Fit happens every Saturday of March – March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. For details and event tickets, go to www.momandme.com.ph. Like and Follow Mom and Me at /mommyandmePH. This event is also supported by Citibank, Enercal Plus, Thor Productions, Malaya Living, Baby Magazine, Travelife Magazine, Circuit, Mom Center Philippines, and WhenInManila(dot)com.

Hear Better With Miracle Ear

There are almost 36 million Americans that suffer from some form of hearing loss.  These individuals are missing out on important things in their life.  Simple sounds such as the birds singing or a grandchild whispering endearing sentiments can be a big loss when they go unheard.  Worst of all, for these hearing loss sufferers these are moments in time that you just cannot get back.

Missing out on special moments in life is just one side effect of hearing loss.  Scientists have conducted extensive research into the matter of hearing loss.  Their findings have confirmed that individuals that suffer from hearing loss are more likely to develop even more severe ailments including dementia, depression, lower income, and even social isolation.  These conditions all lead to a lower quality of living for the individual sufferer and their loved ones as well.

Companies such as Miracle Ear in Minneapolis, MN are working hard to reach individuals that are having difficulties of some form or another with their hearing.  These companies have demonstrated consistently that their focus is on the well-being of their patients.  Staffed with professionals that have dedicated a great deal of time and energy into studying the various conditions that can cause hearing loss, these companies are able to increase the quality of life for their patients substantially.

Miracle Ear in Minneapolis, MN and other such hearing loss specialty clinics around the United States have invested in top of the line diagnostic testing and treatment equipment.  The tools that these professionals use during the examinations and treatment of their patients give clear results that can be then used to create ideal treatment planning.  You can see for yourself the Miracle Ear reviews that have been left by patients that have found their treatment from clinics such as Miracle Ear in Minneapolis to give them the best results possible.  Their testimonies show that they feel as though they have been given a chance at a new life that they don’t want to take for granted for even one more minute.

With the high level of commitment that Miracle Ear in Minneapolis and other specialty hearing clinics around the country have for the needs of their patients, these clinics provide compassionate support and assistance throughout your treatment.  Their staff will make sure that you and your loved ones understand everything that your individual treatment plan entails so that you don’t need to fear the road that lies ahead of you.  Companies such as Miracle Ear of Minnesota believe firmly that patients should always have the opportunity to have input into their treatment planning for the best possible outcome.

Are you worried about the need for wearing those big, bulky hearing aids?  Well those unsightly instruments are now a thing of the past.  Miracle Ear and other specialty hearing clinics can provide you with hearing aids in many different styles and sizes that you will never even notice.  Made of durable equipment and the latest technology you can trust that your new hearing aids will last you for many years to come while providing you with the opportunity to hear even the simplest whispers from your loved ones that your heart has been missing out on.

CHAMPS Chewable Vitamins for my Li’l Champions

“Mama, where’s my Champs?”
“Mama, can I have my Champs now?”
“Mama, after I finish this will you give me my Champs?”

I am telling you, my kids have never looked forward to taking their vitamins more than they do with Champs.   Other than really awful tasting antibiotics, vitamins and other medicines are easy to give to my little ones.  Just hand them the medicine cup and they’d dutifully take their medicine or vitamins.  What makes Champs different from their previous vitamins is that they themselves are the ones who ask for it.

CHAMPS Chewable Vitamins

One of the flagship brands of the largest generic company in Malaysia, Chemical Company of Malaysia (CCM), CHAMPS is a variety of multivitamin preparations formulated to address specific needs of various segments of the pediatric age group.  Through Champs, CCM is able to advocate health and wellness by providing medicines that are effective but affordable.

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Kids Love CHAMPS

With their fun shapes and tasty flavors, CHAMPS Chewable Vitamins makes taking vitamins really fun for children.  As I’ve mentioned, my kids look forward to taking their Champs during dinner.  Of course, before I gave the vitamins to my little ones my husband and I tasted the vitamins first.  The Champs C + Lysine tastes real sweet which makes it my fave.  The Champs Omega-3 Plus tastes similar but leaves a slight fishy aftertaste.

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Dads can have CHAMPS, too!

Jade is the sickly one whose weight is always at the bottom of the weight curve so we’ve been giving her the Champs C + Lysine.  She has only been taking it for a couple of weeks but we’ve already noticed a boost in appetite.  Her cheeks are starting to get fuller which means she’s gaining a bit of weight already.

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The Champs Omega-3 Plus is what we’re giving Jakei.  Brain development is difficult to measure so we won’t really know how effective the vitamins are but anything that would boost mind power is fine for us.  This variant has a fishy aftertaste but my little Jakei doesn’t seem to mind it as he still loves taking his “heart Champs”.

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There’s a CHAMPS Just for You

CHAMPS Chewable vitamins come in five variants which are:

Champs C (Fun Vitamins for Protection) – heart-shaped orange-flavored chewtabs that contain Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate and Sodium Ascorbate) for protection against common illnesses. ½ tab provides 140% of RDA of Vitamin C for children.

Champs C + Lysine (Fun Recovery Vitamin Combination) – donut-shaped tutti-frutti flavoured chewtabs that enhance appetite during sickness for fast recovery.  Contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and Lysine Hydrochloride.

Champs M (Fun Vitamins to Maintain General Health) – triangle-shaped pineapple-flavored multivitamins that promote general health.  One chewtab a day gives you more than 100% RDA of Vitamins A, E, C, and B12.  It also provides other essential dietary nutrients including Vitamins D, B1, B2, B6, and B3.

Champs M + Lysine (Fun on Taste, Big on Appetite) – donut-shaped, orange-flavored chew tabs that contain 9 essential dietary nutrients (vitamins A, D, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, B3), lysine, and folic acid.  This is the Champs for picky eaters in need for a great boost in appetite.

Champs Omega 3-Plus (Brain Vitamins for Kids) – heart-shaped tutti-frutti flavores chewtabs that contain 9 essential dietary nutrients (vitamins A, D, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, B3) and Omega-3 from natural fish oil.  This variant boosts brain development and performance helping your kids be academic champs.

Some variants contain Aspartame and use food additives like Ponceau 4R and FD&C Yellow No 6 so you may want to check the label first if you’re sensitive to any of these ingredients.

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CHAMPS is Budget-Friendly

I did the Math and found out that at as low as P 1.80 per day, your child can have a vitamin boost already.  A 30-tab bottle of Champs C costs only P108. A child needs only ½ a tablet a day to meet his RDA of Vitamin C.   Even the priciest among all the variants, Champs M + Lysine, costs only P252 per bottle of 30 tabs.  That’s just still P 8.40 / day.

Champs C – P 108
Champs C + Lysine – P 135
Champs M – P 180
Champs M + Lysine – P252
Champs Omega-3 Plus – P252

Instead of buying your child a small bag of chips, give him some Champs!  It’s not only healthful, it’s also cheaper than junk food.

 

CHAMPS Giveaway

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Since CCM was gracious enough to have sent me packages of CHAMPS Chewable Vitamins, I’m sharing some of them with you.  Two of the Tottering Mama’s readers will each get a gift pack with 3 Champs Chewable vitamins, a CHAMPS Tumbler, and a Toys R’ Us P100 GC for your little one.  Submit your entries through the Rafflecopter below:

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