How to Prepare for Your Aging Loved One to be Discharged from the Hospital

By Roz Jones

Caregivers play an important role in hospital discharge planning. After your loved one has been hospitalized, the time will come when they are ready to be discharged and go home. This can be both an exciting and stressful time, as you prepare to take on the role of caregiver. If you are a caregiver for an aging loved one who is being discharged from the hospital, there are several things you can do to ensure a smooth transition.

It is important to be involved in the discharge planning process. Be sure to understand all of the discharge instructions from the hospital. Talk to your loved one’s doctor and nurses about what to expect when going home. Make sure you understand any instructions or medications that need to be given. This includes medication schedules, diet restrictions, and any recommended activity levels.

It is also important to have a plan in place for follow-up care, including appointments with specialists and home health care services. Plan for any special needs your loved one may have when they return home. This may include arranging for transportation, setting up medical equipment, or making changes to the home to accommodate disabilities. Make sure your home is safe and comfortable for your loved one, with plenty of rest areas and easy access to necessities.

Be prepared to take on additional responsibilities when your loved one comes home. This may include providing medications, assisting with meals or bathing, and helping with physical therapy exercises.

Assemble a list of resources that can help you care for your loved one. This may include contact information for their doctor, support groups for caregivers, or local home health agencies.

Caregivers play a critical role in hospital discharge planning and ensuring a safe transition home for their aging loved ones. Planning ahead can make all the difference in making this process as smooth as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to discuss them with your loved one’s doctor or nurse.

Are you a Caregiver for a loved one who is incarcerated? Are you trying to find ways to cope? Did you catch last week’s podcast? Check out part 2 of my podcast to learn about the impact of incarceration where you will learn tips on how to deal with the children involved and ensure their mental health is in check!

In this episode, we continue last week’s conversation about having loved ones who are locked up and how it affects their family.

As the caregiver for children whose family members are incarcerated, it can be hard to navigate a relationship with them and this can have a toll on the caregiver and child.

So how do you deal with the children and ensure their mental health is in check? Listen to this episode.

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Tips for Caregivers of Divorced Parents

If you are a Caregiver taking care of aging divorced parents, you know the challenges of trying to make everyone happy. With competing demands from both parents, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to meet everyone’s needs. However, there are some things Caregivers can do to make the situation a little easier. Here are some tips to help make things a little bit easier.

Set boundaries with both parents: Caregivers should explain what they are able and willing to do. You should also make it clear that you cannot do everything. It may be beneficial to ask a family member or sibling to assist with taking care of day-to-day tasks so you are not expected to do everything.

Split up the work: As a Caregiver, you know how essential it is to spend time with your aging client, make sure you are dividing your time amongst your parents equally ensuring each parent receives some individual attention. If there is a day you are not able to get to your other parent, request for assistance from the family member or sibling designated to help for the day. This way no one feels overwhelmed.

Make a Schedule and Stick To It: If there are multiple people providing support to your aging divorced parents be sure to make a schedule and stick to it. Make sure that everyone is on the same page when creating the schedule to ensure your parents are cared for at all times.

Communicate: If there are multiple family members or siblings assisting with caring for your aging parents, be sure to communicate with them about caregiving responsibilities so everyone remains on the same page for care. It may be beneficial to start a group chat.

Rest and Relax: While taking care of your aging divorced parents, caregivers should also include personal time to take care of themselves. Make sure to schedule some time for rest and relaxation. By taking these steps, Caregivers can help reduce personal stress and create a more manageable situation.

Taking care of aging divorced parents can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Hopefully, by using some of the tips provided, it’ll be possible to make things a little bit easier. I hope these tips have been helpful and wish you all the best as you continue to care for your loved ones.

Are you a Caregiver for a loved one who is incarcerated? Are you trying to find ways to cope? Check out my podcast to learn tips on how Caregivers can manage all of this!

The caregiver’s job is a difficult one with many new realities and hardships such as incarceration.

Often they need to perform as both mother and father to a child with a parent in prison, teaching skills and caring for them in ways the absent parent would have done as well as showing up for the loved one in prison.

So how can they cope with all of this? I share a couple of tips to help in this episode.

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Thank you for your patience with me as I attempted to gain access to my Instagram account @rozjonesenterprises! Unfortunately, I have been prompted to create a NEW Instagram account.

Be sure to follow my new Instagram page @rozcaregiverconsulting and check out my top business mistakes as a Business Owner!

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Stay Fit, Trim, and Healthy with Safe Exercises for Seniors

By Roz Jones

Seniors have a lot to gain through regular exercise. Staying active can improve your client or loved one’s physical and mental health and extend their ability to live independently. Below are some tips for developing a beneficial exercise program for your client or loved one and sticking to it.

Designing a Safe and Balanced Exercise Program

Increase endurance. Aerobic exercise like walking or biking is great for your client or loved one’s heart and circulation. Swimming is especially good for seniors because they get a total body workout with low impact and little risk of injuries. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate activity daily for your client or loved one.
Build strength. Muscle mass declines with age, but resistance training two to three times weekly can help offset that loss. To be safe, start off with easy exercises and progress by increasing weights and repetitions gradually. You may want to take your client or loved one to visit a local gym or take a class at a senior center.

If your client or loved one prefers working out at home, you can buy weights or use household items like bags of rice.

Stay flexible. Stretching will keep your client or loved one limber and help protect them from injury. Have them do it as often as possible – daily is great! Warm-up with some light aerobics and then ease into a stretch gently. Have your client or loved one hold the stretch for about 30 seconds. Repeat each movement a few times, gradually extending your client or loved one’s range.

It’s good to feel some slight tension, but if your client or loved one experiences any pain, stop and have them withdraw back to a more comfortable position.

Improve balance. Protect your client or loved one from falls and broken bones by working on their balance. Tai Chi is another low-impact activity ideal for seniors. It promotes balance and strength. Even just having your client or loved one practice standing on one foot can enhance their stability.

Sticking to the Exercise Program

Set realistic goals. A regular workout routine is safer and more beneficial than scattered efforts. Keep your client or loved one motivated by establishing realistic goals. Find activities that they can easily incorporate into their daily schedule such as cutting back on TV viewing to going for a daily swim. When their favorite program is on, they can even exercise during commercials.
Have fun. Think about the pastimes your client or loved one loves and expand upon them. When children visit, go for a long walk through the park. If your client or loved one gets tired of using the treadmill alone every day, sign up for a yoga class with a buddy whose company you enjoy.
Make contingency plans. Life events will sometimes interrupt your client or loved one’s normal schedule. While traveling, look for hotels with fitness centers. If it’s too cold to ride bikes outdoors, browse the public library for exercise videos for seniors.

Other Safety Tips

Talk with their doctor. If your client or loved one has been sedentary for a while, their doctor can advise them on how to get moving safely. No matter what health issues they may experience, there is usually some form of exercise that they can engage in even if there’s a need to modify the standard positions.
Learn to breathe. Proper breathing will help your client or loved one maintain good form. Generally, you exhale when you exert effort and inhale when you relax. So have your client or loved one breathe out when they lift something and breathe in when they lower it.
Drink plenty of water. The body needs water regardless of whether you’re sweating. By the time you’re thirsty, you’ve gone too long without drinking.
Wear the right shoes. Your client or loved one can exercise without spending a fortune on expensive equipment, but good shoes are worth the cost. Get protective footwear that’s designed for their chosen sport, whether it’s golf or tennis. If tying laces is a struggle, Velcro closures will give your client or loved one a secure fit.

Exercise is a great way for older adults to stay healthy and fit. Follow simple safety precautions so your clients or loved ones can remain active and enjoy the pastimes they love.

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Thank you for your patience with me as I attempted to gain access to my Instagram account @rozjonesenterprises! Unfortunately, I have been prompted to create a NEW Instagram account.

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5 Steps for Caregivers to Shift Limiting Beliefs for Good

By Roz Jones

How are you your own worst enemy? As Caregivers, we limit ourselves so much. We live in our heads and come up with all these ways to keep us from getting anything accomplished. Even though deep down we know we’re good enough, and how much we’re fully capable of getting things done.

The only way to get past these self-sabotaging behaviors is to take active, intentional steps to remedy our thinking. Let’s look at 5 steps that will shift Caregivers limiting beliefs for good.

Stop

Wait a minute; what were you thinking? If a thought feels off about something, it’s time to stop and examine this idea much closer. Is this perhaps a self-limiting belief?

Think About What You’re Saying

Where is the lie in this thought? You’ve already figured out there’s something wrong with it, or you wouldn’t be going through this process. This means something about it is not ringing true. When you understand where the lie is, it becomes easier to know how to counter it.

Look for the Proof

Is there any proof this self-limiting thought is true? Let’s examine the part you feel is a lie. Here’s where you need to take a step back from the situation if you can and look very impartially at what’s going on. Is there any grain of truth in what you’re thinking?

Take Control

If what you were thinking is a lie, it’s relatively easy to counter the false aspects of the statement with the truth. But what if this thought was at least partially true? You start by reminding yourself this isn’t always the case. For example, you might be thinking you are always late. Maybe you are, in fact, late sometimes. To perform this step, you would need to recall various instances when you were on time. By countering the lie, you are taking control of the situation, and not allowing the limiting belief to have any sway over you.

Get Help

Sometimes it can be challenging to remove limiting beliefs by yourself. In these instances, it can be beneficial to talk to a friend, or even a counselor, to help you see the truth. There is nothing wrong with getting help, especially from someone who is in a position to be impartial.

Self-limiting beliefs don’t have to control your life. By examining your thoughts, especially those that seem to hold you back, you will find it much easier to move forward toward your goals. Soon you will realize success!

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ATTENTION: INSTAGRAM UPDATE!!!

Thank you for your patience with me as I attempted to gain access to my Instagram account @rozjonesenterprises! Unfortunately, I have been prompted to create a NEW Instagram account.

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9 Ways to Cut Prescription Costs, Part 2

By Roz Jones

For April, we’re covering spring cleaning – getting your ducks in a row in your physical home, as well as clearing your mental space by practicing forgiveness. We hope you’ll be ready to charge into May with a new spring in your step!

This week, we’re continuing a two-part post on how you and your loved ones can save money on prescription costs.

6. Find a new pharmacy. Pharmacies frequently offer gift cards as an incentive for transferring a prescription to their store. Of course, you’ll need to make sure you’re not going to pay a lot more for the prescription. Shop around and see what’s out there.

7. Get it online. There are many online pharmacies that tend to be significantly less expensive than local pharmacies. This makes sense, since they don’t have stores and all the related expenses that go along with them.

You may have heard about ordering from Canadian pharmacies, where prescriptions cost about 50% less. You should know that the FDA doesn’t approve of using this option, and it’s technically illegal to have pharmaceuticals shipped into the country.
The website www.legitscript.com can tell you if an online pharmacy meets the legal requirements of US law.

8. Ask for free samples. Pharmaceutical sales reps often provide free samples to physicians. In fact, some physicians refuse to talk to reps unless they provide free samples. It never hurts to ask.

9. Apply for free medications. Medications are frequently made available to those of lower income. You can find low-cost and no-cost prescriptions at www.needymeds.org. If you don’t have insurance, you’re likely to get at least some relief.

There are many options available to reduce your prescription expense.

In many cases, prescriptions can be obtained for a greatly reduced cost compared to what you might be paying now. There is even the possibility of getting your meds for free if you can prove financial need.

If you’re having a financial challenge with your meds, there are solutions. Use the above tips to lower your costs and keep more money in your bank account.

Congratulations, you want to start a business! Once you get over the initial excitement, it’s time to break down the process of launching your startup into manageable chunks. So do you feel overwhelmed with the items on your to-do list? Not to worry; I’ve divided this startup Essential Business Bundle Checklists into the primary tasks you need to do now, and those that you can defer until later. These documents will help you navigate, structure, and create systems specific to our business.

It’s here, I am so excited to share a new caregiver app called CircleOf….This app will allow you to surround yourself with resources and experts from your community including ME!!!! As you are looking through the app, you will see my familiar face. I’m excited about this partnership and new ways to support you as you support your loved one. Here’s the link so you can explore the app. I would love your feedback and spread the word by sharing the link to family and friends.

Visit http://www.rozjonesent.com for more information on addressing mental health as a caregiver and check out my upcoming book!