301-593-5285 Email Us
  • LinkedIn
Debra Levy Eldercare Associates print logo
  • Home
     
     
  • Our
    Services
     
    • Care Management
    • Debbie’s Angels
    • WellSenior™
    • How We Can Help
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • For Attorneys
    • For Financial Advisors
    • For Medical Providers
    • For Assisted Living Communities
  • Locations
    We Serve
     
    • Care manager in Bethesda
    • Care manager in Chevy Chase
    • Care manager in Potomac
    • Care manager in Washington, DC
    • Care manager in Frederick
    • Care manager in Silver Spring
    • Care manager in Rockville
  • Insights
    on
    Aging
    • Physical changes
    • Emotional changes
    • Mental changes
    • Your strengths
    • Your legacy
    • WellSenior Blog
  • Staying
    Independent
     
    • Hospitalizations
    • Managing Medications
    • Preventing Falls
    • Driving Safely
  • Memory
    Loss
    (Dementia)
    • What is dementia?
    • How dementia affects family life
    • Early stage of dementia
    • Middle stage of dementia
    • Late stage of dementia
    • Final stage of dementia
    • Help for families
  • Tips
    and
    Tools
    • Changing Roles
    • Coping with Stress
    • Dealing with Family
    • Educating Yourself
    • Finding Help
    • Newsletter for Families
  • Important
    Documents
     
    • Financial planning
    • Quality of life
    • Health care planning
    • MOLST
  • Home
  • Request Info
  • Search
  • Check Out Our
    Coronavirus Updates
  • Learn
    About Us
  • Request
    Information
  • Tell Us
    About Your Concerns
Serving Bethesda; Chevy Chase; Potomac; Washington, DC; Frederick; Silver Spring; Rockville and surrounding communities
 
September/October 2009
Home / September/October 2009 Print
Font size
    • A A A
 - D
"Mom depends on me. But it turns out family caregivers are more likely to get sick themselves, particularly if they are under stress. At least there are things I can do to keep my stress level down. I won't be any good to Mom if my health goes south."
301-593-5285

About Us

Debra Levy Eldercare Associates has been providing care and support for older adults and their families since 1988. Learn more about us and about our services by giving us a call at 301-593-5285.

Save trees! Subscribe online at AgingWellMetroDC.com

Our Monthly Newsletter
Helpful tips for family caregivers

September/October 2009 Print

How do you know if your loved one is in pain?

September is Pain Awareness Month. Tragically, pain is often unrecognized and untreated. This is especially true for people who are unable to communicate well with words. Although up to 80% of older adults experience pain, those with advanced memory loss (the later stages of Alzheimer’s or other dementias) are unable to use their words to tell us. The result is unnecessary suffering.

While words may not be effective for communication—even when we directly ask, “Are you in pain?”—relatively sudden changes in behavior may signal that your loved one is hurting somewhere.

Suspect pain if you notice changes in your loved one’s:

  • Breathing—becoming labored and noisy. As pain increases, breathing may become faster, including rapid, short breaths.
  • Body language—sudden restlessness, maybe pacing or sleeplessness. Fierce, even aggressive hitting, pulling or pushing away is frequently a sign of more severe pain, as is curling up into a rigid ball.
  • Ability to be soothed—the more severe the pain or discomfort, the less likely your loved one will calm down with simple reassurance or touch.
  • Speech or crying out—this is the most obvious signal and includes soft moans or groans, escalating to repeated yelling or wailing when there is intense pain.
  • Facial expression—a new look of sadness or fear, or a scrunched-up, grimacing face can indicate your loved one is experiencing pain.

Caring for someone who is unable to tell you with words about their pain requires extra vigilance on your part. If you sense “something is wrong,” get a doctor to diagnose the problem and recommend treatments. Alternatively, you can ask for a consultation with a palliative care physician. These specialists focus on the relief of pain in all its forms.

Return to top

Is caregiving hazardous to your health?

When caring for an ailing loved one, it is natural to focus on issues related to his or her health. An unintended consequence, however, involves risks to your own health. For instance, family caregivers often forego doctor visits for their own checkups.

The major culprit is stress. Higher rates of physical, emotional, and mental health problems among family caregivers are most strongly associated with the stress of providing care. Research has found the more stressed you feel as a caregiver, the more likely you are to develop health problems of your own.

Stress, for instance, causes anxiety and depression, and also increases the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, colds/flu, and other infections. Family members caring for a loved one with dementia (memory loss) seem to experience the most stress. Not surprisingly, they also tend to develop more health problems.

The best remedy is stress-relief activities. To keep yourself healthy and able to care for your family member over the long haul, write yourself a prescription for:

  • Social time. Spend time with others simply for fun and relaxation. Make it a point NOT to talk about the person you care for.
  • Exercise. Work off your frustrations and reinvigorate yourself physically. Or unwind mindfully through yoga or tai chi.
  • Crafts and hobbies. Do what you love, whether it’s art, music, writing, gardening, cooking, painting, or some other creative pleasure.
  • Religious/spiritual practice. If spirituality is a part of your life, make time for prayer or meditation and/or attend the services of your faith community.
  • Support groups. Meet with others in situations like yours to laugh, cry, and share tips.
  • Respite. Take a break from caregiving. It’s not selfish, it’s essential!

See the doctor for regular checkups. And make sure you keep your appointment!

Return to top

The healing power of music

Can listening to calming music actually ease pain? Can singing silly songs make you happier? Researchers say this isn’t just a folktale—it represents some of the measurable effects of music on the mind and body.

Although it’s not yet clear exactly how music works its magic, studies show that it is strong medicine, both in the moment and as treatment over time. Among the benefits, music:

  • Stimulates the brain. It can sharpen thinking and enhance recovery from stroke.
  • Brightens mood. Music with a tap-your-toes, upbeat rhythm can ease depression, reduce anxiety, and create a more positive outlook overall.
  • Calms the body. Music with a slower, gentler pace and melody can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and rate of breathing. It can even reduce the need for sedation in surgery.

Bringing music into your loved one’s life is simple.

  • Listen to prerecorded music: Tune in a favorite radio station, play a familiar composer or a beloved album. If your loved one has dementia (memory problems), melodies from the past will bring the comfort of familiarity.
  • Go to a concert: Researchers say live music is best. Listen to a friend play the piano or go to a performance in the park.
  • Sing favorite tunes at home: If your loved one likes to sing, choose cherished hymns, folk songs, or popular tunes from your loved one’s youth.
  • Experiment: Music is personal. Try different kinds of music, including soothing sounds of nature, and notice your loved one’s response. Happier? More relaxed? See what works for your situation.

You can also ask your doctor about music therapy. Much like physical therapists, music therapists work to relieve pain or support physical or mental healing, which they accomplish by guiding patients through musical experiences. Music therapy is most often available in clinics, hospitals, and rehab facilities, and may be covered by Medicare.

Return to top
Call 301-593-5285
Fill in this form and one of our caring staff will get back to you.
  • This message is encrypted. Nevertheless, please be mindful of privacy concerns.
  • Admin Only Field to pass "Send To" email to GF.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Newsletter
    • Past Issues
  • Testimonials
  • Local Providers in Metro DC
  • Resources for You
    • For People Wishing to Age Well
    • For Families with Aging Parents
    • For Legal-Financial Professionals
SHARE PAGE
Serving Bethesda; Chevy Chase; Potomac; Washington, DC; Frederick; Silver Spring; Rockville and surrounding communities
 
  • 301-593-5285
  • Email Us
  • 11120 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 505,
    Silver Spring, MD 20904
  • LinkedIn

This website is sponsored by Debra Levy Eldercare Associates. We are your first choice when looking for a care manager or companion in the Metro DC area. Call us at 301-593-5285.

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Feedback

© 2002-2021, Debra Levy Eldercare Associates. Site created by Elder Pages Online, LLC.