 |
| Lynn Wilson |
by Lynn Wilson,
Founder of The CareGiver Partnership
Our Customers Shop with Confidence Knowing Their Data Is Not Collected, Shared or Sold
Technology Advances Personal Health Management
 |
| PHRs allow real-time access anywhere. |
by Lynn Wilson,
Founder of The CareGiver Partnership
Personal health
records allow families, caregivers, and health care providers to access an
individual’s history, emergency information and more. These tools help seniors
take charge of their own health and help families better care for loved ones.
Incontinence, Sleep, and Your Overall Health
 |
| What can you do about disturbed sleep due to incontinence? |
Sleep is critical to overall health. The body needs rest to repair and build, for the mind to function properly, and even for the bladder to function properly. According to Dr. Park, “a large number of awakenings and lack of deep sleep can irritate the bladder and lead to earlier sensations of needing to void.” Many people who suffer from incontinence also find that their sleep is disturbed. And disturbed sleep can make incontinence worse, so what can you do?
Decreasing Night Time Urinary Output For a Better Night's Rest
 |
| Tips for decreasing night time urinary output. |
One of the concerns many incontinent individuals have is that of not getting adequate rest as a result of night time urinary output. The urge to go, leaking, etc can interrupt sleep, leaving individuals tired, groggy, and often cranky as a result. The following are tips for decreasing night time urinary output for a better night’s rest:
Does Your Loved One Have Incontinence?
 |
| A look at the signs of incontinence |
Although incontinence impacts millions of adult Americans every year, it is a condition that is often kept hidden, even from physicians. Why? Because it is embarrassing. Loss of bowel or bladder control is not something people like to talk about, so how can you know if your loved one, or the individual you are caring for has incontinence?
The following is a look at the signs of incontinence and what you can do as a caregiver to help a loved one with this condition.
Dating With Incontinence: Tips and Tricks
 |
| It is possible to date with incontinence. |
Having incontinence can be a real blow to self-confidence. The discomfort that comes from potentially leaking, makes socializing awkward, let alone dating. However, it is possible to date with incontinence. The following are some tips to keep urinary incontinence from messing with your romantic relationships, and allow you to gain the confidence you need to socialize regularly:
3 Services for the Elderly Who Need Help at Home
 |
| Dianna Malkowksi |
by
Dianna Malkowski, Physician Assistant & Nutritionist
It’s
common for children of the elderly to realize over the holidays that Mom or Dad
may need help to stay safe and healthy at home. Here are few solutions to help
improve seniors’ quality of life and increase their children’s peace of mind.
The Best Incontinence Care
 |
| As a caregiver for someone who is incontinent, understand what you can do for your loved one. |
If you are a caregiver for someone who is incontinent, it is important to understand what you can do to provide improved care, both physical and emotional, for your loved one.
The number one way to provide both physical and emotional comfort for incontinent loved ones is to use absorbent products that provide maximum protection and comfort while preventing negative side effects and seeking treatment.
What To Ask When Selecting Incontinence Products
 |
| A guide to what you should ask and know when selecting incontinence products. |
Incontinence is not a normal part of aging, and often there are treatment options available. However, while treating incontinence, whether it is temporary or long term, getting the right products to manage it can help provide both physical and emotional comfort. Here is a guide to what you should ask and know when selecting incontinence products:
Achieving Cost Effective Incontinence Care
 |
| Achieve cost effective incontinence care. |
Incontinence care can be expensive. How can you achieve cost effective incontinence care? You can do so by making choices to improve the quality of care, while reducing the overall cost.
Treatment Options for Incontinence
 |
| A physician will help you determine what options are best. |
Incontinence is not something you just have to live with. In fact, many people wait years before seeking any kind of treatment for their incontinence. Let’s take a look at some of the treatment options for incontinence:
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Oxytrol
 |
| A closer look at Oxytrol. |
A new over the counter product has come out for women who suffer from OAB (over-active bladder), it is called Oxytrol. It is the first over-the-counter treatment for overactive bladder in women ages 18 years and older to be approved by the FDA.
OAB is a condition where the bladder squeezes too often or without warning. This can lead to leakage, frequent urination, and uncomfortable and urgent urges to urinate. Over 30 million Americans are estimated to suffer from OAB.
Keeping the Elderly Safe in Extreme Winter Weather
|
| Dianna Malkowski |
by Dianna
Malkowski, Physician Assistant and Nutritionist
The elderly
are especially at risk during weather extremes,
because of limited mobility, instability that can lead to slips and
falls, physical changes that make it difficult to regulate body temperature and
flu dangers.
HELPing To See Both Sides
 |
| Dan and Jennifer Digman, both living with MS use their experiences to inspire and educate others |
Guest Post by:
Dan and Jennifer DigmannLooking at our van’s temperature gauge, it was two degrees below zero.
We were rushing to make it to an evening meeting, and our tardiness consumed Jennifer’s mind.
“We are always running late!” she exclaimed.
Dan was less than concerned about their promptness. He was focused on finding a place to park where he could drop the accessible van’s ramp so Jennifer could drive her power wheelchair into the meeting without getting it stuck in the freshly plowed snow.
Traveling With Incontinence
 |
| Feel comfortable traveling despite bladder control. |
Many people put off seeing the world until they are older. Unfortunately aging is often accompanied by achy joints, various conditions, and in many cases incontinence. Bladder control problems should not prevent you from being able to travel. A few simple changes to your routine can help you feel comfortable traveling despite bladder control.
What Is a Caregiver?
 |
| In one single phrase, a caregiver is a Saint. |
A caregiver by definition is a person who offers care to another individual, usually an elderly person or someone who is disabled or chronically ill. While the ideal would be to have a professional, such as a nurse, offer such care, the reality is that typically caregivers are concerned family members or friends. They receive no formal training, and no compensation for their work.
Many caregivers are placed in the role suddenly, without warning, as a parent or loved one becomes ill, is diagnosed with something, or is injured. The individual will usually go from the role of son, daughter, spouse, grandchild, or friend, to that of primary caregiver, spokesperson, advocate, and representative. It can be a big change.
So what exactly is the role of caregiver? What is included in their scope of care? The simplest answer is that they are responsible for everything the loved one does, but let’s get more specific. Caregiver responsibilities usually include, but are not exclusive to, the following:
- Bathing
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Dressing
- Feeding (or cooking for)
- Administering medications
- Driving to and from appointments and doctor’s and healthcare visits
- Exercising
- Housekeeping
- Bill payment
- Grocery shopping
- Entertaining
- Insurance and paperwork, including social security
- Socialization
- Finding medical supplies
- Arranging transportation, or acting as transportation
- Determining if living accommodations need to be arranged
- Emotional support
- Companionship
- Legal work- Medical Advance Directives, Power of Attorney, Will, Estate Planning
- Arranging professional needs- Taxes, financial planning, doctors.
As you can see the caregiver wears many hats, playing whatever role is necessary to insure the care, safety, and health of the person they are responsible for. They often have to speak on their behalf, letting health care professionals know of their symptoms and level of activity, etc. to help determine treatment.
The caregiver must be an active observer and participator in the caree’s life. This can be an overwhelming task, especially as many caregivers are also trying to juggle a personal career, and their own family. Often children who have their own spouse and children of their own find themselves in a position of caring for a parent. This can be a real challenge, and finding balance is not always easy. Thus, in order to manage these responsibilities as well as the rest of their life, it is important for caregivers to learn how to take care of themselves as well by doing the following:
- Know when to ask for help. And who.
- Schedule breaks for themselves.
- Learn what they can about the diagnoses and conditions of the caree.
- Find local resources for help and support.
- Take advantage of adult-day care, in home care, and other ways to alleviate some of the burden.
- Know whom to call about medication and health for the loved one.
- Have a team of professionals and other family and friends to help with care.
 |
| Call us. We're here to help. |
Help support this ad free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two minutes.
About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.
About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.
Keys To Cleaning Up Incontinence Accidents
 |
| Clean up and eliminate odor as quickly and easily as possible. |
Over 12 million Americans suffer from urinary incontinence. It is a common ailment. Often the elderly, bed-ridden, and infirm suffer from this bladder control condition, and thus caregivers or loved ones have to aid in cleaning up incontinence accidents.
No one wants to experience incontinence accidents, or clean them up. It is simply not pleasant, but when they occur, it is nice to know how to clean up and eliminate odor as quickly and easily as possible. The following is a look at some of the keys to cleaning up accidents:
The CareGiver Partnership Announces First ‘Helping You Get On With Life’ Prize of 2014 Sweepstakes
 |
| Our monthly sweepstakes continues in 2014! |
The CareGiver Partnership’s first giveaway of the 2014
“Helping You Get On With Life” monthly sweepstakes includes two prizes, and more valuable giveaways are coming every month in 2014.
The CareGiver Partnership Offers Free Copies of 'Activities 101 for the Family Caregiver'
 |
| Call or email today to get your free copy! |
By Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership
This month, we are offering a free copy of “Activities 101 for the Family Caregiver” — a basic guide to help the family caregiver of someone with dementia, Parkinson’s or other cognitive difficulties — to anyone who calls or e-mails The CareGiver Partnership.
Incontinence Related Odor Problems
 |
| Incontinence Related Odor Problems |
Urinary incontinence comes with a host of social problems. From using protection discreetly to adequate bathroom breaks at work. However, one often under discussed problem related to urinary incontinence is that of odor control. If you are suffering from incontinence related odor problems what can you do? What can be done to keep the smells of incontinence at a minimum?
