February/March 2017
Serving Syracuse, Manlius, Fayetteville, Skaneateles, Baldwinsville and neighboring communities
Learn more! Go to our e-library for family caregivers at www.AgingWellSyracuse.com
Inspire Care News
Helpful tips for family caregivers
Caregiving and your partner
Emotional stress, physical
fatigue, reduced leisure time,
financial draws, and loss of
privacy are just a few of the
domestic pressures noted in a
survey by Caregiving.com.
But some couples in the survey
also reported feeling a benefit:
Caregiving prompted a new kind
of teamwork that actually
strengthened their relationship.
"It's amazing how
much something as
simple as a sweet
note or a flower on
the pillow will do to
help your partner feel
appreciated."
315.447.3164
Here are some tips:
Strive for balance. You may feel a debt of gratitude to a parent, but recognize also that
your marriage is your future. Arrange your caregiving so your partner doesn’t feel like he or
she is always the last priority. Regularly discuss your shared values and how they fit into
your life as a couple.
What makes your partner feel loved? You probably know intuitively: Quality time
together? Physical affection? A love note? A small gift? Handling a chore or errand? (HINT:
What does he or she tend to do for you? That’s usually a clue.) Build trust and dedication
with weekly gestures of love.
Time together is essential. In most families, one adult child takes on the main caregiver
role. If that’s you, make it clear to your siblings that you won’t sacrifice your marriage.
Create time for your relationship by asking your siblings for
• respite (spending some of their vacation time taking care of mom);
• help with chores (handling the checkbook, keeping the car in good condition);
• financial assistance, so you can hire help.
Have a Plan B
Watch for signs of distress. If your partner is arguing, drinking more, overeating, or coming
home later, a change is in order. Consider
• hiring in-home care;
• having your relative live in an assisted living facility;
• moving your relative to live with a different family member.
A care manager can help you look at options and/or talk with family members about a
change in the sharing of the care.
About Us
Inspire Care has
been providing care
and support for
older adults and
their families since
2011. Learn more
about us and about
our services by
giving us a call at
315.447.3164.
After a heart attack
Mealtime and dementia
The effects of dementia include changes to the way foods
taste and smell. A person with Alzheimer’s or other memory
disorder may become unable to recognize foods or to know
if he or she is hungry or full. Even the seemingly simple
mechanics of fork and spoon or chewing and swallowing
often become too complicated.
A heart attack is a frightening, life-changing event that
affects the entire family.
Emotional reactions. The most common reaction is fear
or worry about the possibility of another heart attack.
Although those who have had a heart attack are at higher
risk for having another, only 18% of heart attack patients
actually go back to the hospital in the first month.
Depression is very common. One-third of heart attack
survivors experience depression. This can drain the
patient of the motivation to follow through with needed
medical and lifestyle changes. If you suspect depression
in your relative, talk to the doctor. Depression can be
treated. Provide support, too, by arranging for pleasurable
activities. The goal is to get back to a more normal life
(rather than life as a patient). Maybe watching children
play at a nearby park or seeing a movie at the theater.
Other emotional reactions include anger or frustration,
especially at the beginning, when tasks that used to be
easy prove to be difficult or tiring.
Mental reactions. Many patients complain of fuzzy
thinking. This usually clears up in time. For the first few
weeks after the heart attack, though, don’t expect your
relative to buzz through the crossword puzzle.
Common physical reactions include fatigue and
shortness of breath, palpitations (a fluttery heart beat),
and sleep problems. Don’t hesitate to check in with the
doctor if you have questions or concerns.
When to get help. If your loved one experiences the
following symptoms, the American Heart Association
suggests contacting medical personnel right away:
• Chest pain, tightness, pressure or pain in the arms,
neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Pale, sweaty skin
• Very fast or irregular heartbeat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling or pain in the legs
• Sudden, overwhelming fatigue
Make the environment supportive. Confusion dulls the
appetite, so aim to keep things streamlined and unhurried.
• Eat with your relative. This sets an example that it is
time to eat.
• Simplify the setting. A cluttered table can be
confusing. Your relative may not be able to distinguish
between a food and a decoration.
• Reduce unnecessary noise. Turn off the TV/radio.
Put the kibosh on emotional or loud conversations.
• Use contrasting colors. Changes in visual-spatial
perception are common with dementia. Avoid mashed
potatoes on a white plate on a white tablecloth!
Keep the menu simple.
• Plan for small, frequent meals. It’s difficult for
people with dementia to sit for long.
• Serve just one food at a time. Pick the most
nutritious course and put it on a small plate. If your
loved one leaves the table, at least he or she has eaten
the most important part of the meal.
• Check the temperature of the food before serving.
Your loved one may no longer know what’s too hot.
• Stay flexible. What your relative ate eagerly yesterday
may not appeal today. Don’t take it personally!
Sensitivity to smells and textures can make for picky
eating. Offer an alternative. Or wait a half-hour and try
again.
• Support self-feeding. Cut foods to bite size before
serving. Provide finger food when possible. (Remember
to wash your relative’s hands carefully before and
after!)
If your family member seems consistently disinterested in
eating, consult with the doctor. Some medications affect
appetite. And dental issues can make chewing painful.