Tips for Setting up Your Home To Take Care of a Loved One With a Disability

December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentWhen a loved one becomes disabled, they may feel more comfortable at home, or with another family member, instead of living in an assisted living facility. In many instances, it is completely fine to have your loved one at home or with another family member, as long as they have prepared their home to make living there comfortable for the disabled person.

Move Furniture if Necessary
Take a look around the rooms in your home and make sure your loved one will be able to move around comfortably. If they are in a wheelchair, make sure the doorways throughout the house are wide enough. Widen the space between furniture in high traffic areas, so that your loved one will be able to easily maneuver through that area without any trouble.

Install Ramps
If your loved one can not easily walk up and down stairs, or is in a wheelchair, install ramps. This will make it easier for her to get from one level of the house to another. A piece of plywood can easily be installed at the front entrance, or a ramp can be installed only on one side of a set of stairs, providing the option of using the stairs or the ramp. If you have a steep set of stairs, you may want to invest in an electric chair that your loved one can sit in and ride up to the top, or down to the bottom of the stairs.

Personal Space
Provide your loved one with some personal space. That could be a spare room that your relative could use as an office or a craft space. Or, maybe your relative would prefer her own TV space. Or better yet, set up an exercise area where the entire household could benefit from the equipment. Place a small refrigerator in your disabled loved one’s bedroom or other personal space. This will make it easy to grab a snack or drink.

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Electronic Cigarette as a Safe Alternative to Tobacco

December 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Tobacco Smoke Bubble
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Puffing away of the tobacco stick and the chewing and sniffing of tobacco leaves, clearly presented some inherent benefits to the laid back population of the primitive world. As decades flew by and as science and medicine advanced, deaths related to the lungs and to the bronchial system were soon discovered to be associated with tobacco carcinogens. Additionally, patients contracting various disabilities were found to have abused tobacco smoking for long periods.

Some of disabilities resulting out of acute and chronic tobacco smoking include permanent respiratory muscle depression, musculoskeletal depression and obstructive pulmonary disease. These disabilities can seriously threaten normal functioning of life. Respiratory problems like apnea, panting, wheezing and coughing can require long term medication. If untreated or worsened, other problems could arise which can be life threatening. Musculoskeletal depression can inhibit normal movements and can sometimes disable the patient’s academic or career life. A disability can seriously hamper normal functioning of life for a very long while.

The drug nicotine can cross into the fetus during pregnancy, and be passed on into the baby while breast feeding. Mothers, who smoke during pregnancy, carry serious risk of giving birth to underdeveloped and stillborn babies. Newborn babies can be underweight, or have their mental and physical functioning severely disturbed. Studies show that, children who were affected by nicotine during the weaning period have shown to exhibit various behavioral disorders in adolescence. Cases of Hyperactivity Attention Deficit children are widely linked to the large number of women who smoked regularly during pregnancy and the weaning period.

The electronic cigarette is an alternative to tobacco consumption, which contains only nicotine. It is a battery operated electronic gadget, which contains nicotine solution in its cartridge. They do not produce fumes and the danger of harmful carcinogens to the lungs is eliminated completely. Electronic cigarette is proven to be a safe alternative to tobacco smoking.

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The International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Every third of December the world celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to recognize the achievements of those with disabilities around the world. This stimulates a positive image of those with disabilities through activities that celebrate achievement and raise awareness. Even those in treatment centers such as at The Canyon (more info at TheCyn.com) recognize and celebrate this momentous day.

International Numbers

There are an estimated 650 million individuals living with disabilities across the globe. This equates to ten percent of the world’s population. Many face barriers to participation and are often denied basic rights. Those with disabilities are often forced into institutions beyond the treatment needed. Over 400 million persons with disabilities live in impoverished nations. The unemployment rate of those with disabilities in these nations is 80 to 90 percent.

Canadian Involvement

Canada leads the way for treatment of those with disabilities. Since education is such an important aspect of Canadian life, those with disabilities could be eligible for the Repayment Assistance Plan. This makes it easier for students to repay student loans once a degree is completed. Another initiative is the Registered Disability Savings Plan which is available to anyone under 60 years old. The Government supplements private contributions with a matching grant. Low-income families may be eligible for some bonds.

The 60th Anniversary

On December 3rd, 2008, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrated its 60th anniversary with a theme of Dignity and Justice for All of Us. This day is important to the entire world because those with disabilities can represent the world. This day is a call for those with disabilities to establish dignity and justice through commitment to the international Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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Rehab Centers

December 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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If someone you know is dealing with a disability, you might not be too sure on how to handle the situation. There are many ways to make a person’s disability more tolerable, and one of those ways is rehab.

There are many different types of rehab, such as a drug and alcohol treatment center like Rehab-International.org. At these types of rehab centers, people are getting help for their addictions and are working hard on their road to recovery. However, rehab facilities don’t always have to be just about people that are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

There are many rehab centers that specialize in working with people with disabilities. These rehab centers offer physical therapy as well as mental therapy. Dealing with a disability can be quite tough as well as frustrating, and the qualified professionals as a rehab center know how to understand and help those suffering from disabilities.

If someone has a disability that prevents them from going about his or her daily task, a physical therapist will work with him/her to try and walk or move limbs correctly.

There are also speech therapists that work with patients in order to improve their vocabulary and speech patterns. Sometimes a disability causes you to relearn everything that used to come easy to you. In these cases, a patient may work with many different therapists in order to become well again.

The main thing to remember when you have a disabled loved one, is to not get frustrated. He can see the impatience on your face, which may cause him to feel bad and, in turn, he may give up and not continue rehabilitation. Stay focused when talking to or helping her, and you may both find that she is getting better every single day.

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Transitioning into Caring for a Handicapped Loved One

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Being born with a disability or ending up with one at some point in a person’s life is one of the hardest things they would ever have to deal with. One of the things they don’t talk about is the strain and stress that such a disability can put on their loved ones. You may be going through something like this and perhaps such an unfortunate event is recent in your life. There is a lot of questions you may have and a lot of concerns and fears as you being to care for someone with a disability or physical handicap. Just understand that there are a few things to navigate through and everything will be made a lot easier.

Understanding that the person you are going to be caring for is going through a lot. When someone you love attempts to resume a normal life only to find that there life is no longer “normal” in the way they remember it can be so difficult to deal with. You certainly want the transition to be smooth but you have to know that while they deal with this that there is going to be a lot of anger and resentment and frustration as they get comfortable in their new skin.

Another thing to remember is that there is more than enough help out there. The Web is full of places to go for tips and advice as well as there a millions of stores and service companies ready to help you find what you need to make your home and your life more accessible to your disabled loved one. And to remember above all else that you have family around for not just moral support but more tangible help taking care of your disabled loved one. Sometimes it’s easy to want to be the one who carries the burden on your shoulders but it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to go through it alone. Patience and being a bit resourceful can be everything you need to make the transition easier.

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Adult Day Care

November 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Coming to terms with an aging or disabled family member can be a devastating experience. Finding the right care for a loved one can also be a difficult process. There are so many options to choose from as well as many financial decisions. You want to make the best choices you can to give them the care and attention they need.

An adult day care service is a place where seniors and adults with disabilities can socialize and participate in activities while in a safe, supervised environment. An adult day care center helps people live at home for as long as possible. These centers bridge the gap between home care by a family caregiver or the placement of a senior in one of the various nursing homes.

If you are nervous or weary about dropping off your family member at an adult day care center, make sure you visit the place first. The caregivers at these facilities will meet with you and discuss possible options for your loved one. They will also give you a tour of the place as well as a complete list of services they provide.

Many adult day care services offer daily activities for adults. They provide a place for your family members to go when you can no longer take care of them by yourself during the day. An adult day care center is kind of like a preschool; you drop them off in the morning and then pick them back up at the end of the day.

Certified professionals will ensure that the best care is given to your family member. They will administer medications if necessary and keep close watch to make sure your family member is interacting with other patients at this facility.

You don’t have to be ashamed of dropping your loved one off; just look at it as a day spa for them.

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Managing Stress when Caring for the Disabled

October 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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No one said that caring for a disabled person was easy. It’s certainly important, rewarding work, but there’s no rule that says that important things would come without stress and frustration. This is especially true if you’re also financially responsible for the disabled person. Manging your stress is important as you do this, and you won’t be able to do much good if you push yourself to the point of breakdown. Here are a few basic tips on manging your own tension levels.

Take Time for Yourself

Depending on the type of disability the person you take care of has, you may end up devoting huge portions of your time to assisting them. Whether it’s a child, parent, or someone else you’ve taken into your care, you have an even greater responsibility to take care of yourself. Take time to step away from the stressful environment, focus on your hobbies, and pursue your own goals.

Save Money Everywhere

Many disabled people have no ability to bring income into the household, but they cost more than an average household member. Things like medications, treatment, therapy, and social work can all stack up. As a result, it’s crucial that you make every penny in your possession count. Invest in items like an Rx card, make sure you have good insurance, save money on your food budget when possible, and do anything else you can think of.

Remember: Nothing’s Personal

People with mental disabilities that impair their emotional development or their ability to express ideas may often be frustrated. Similarly, those with physical disabilities may often be irritable. When there is some form of backlash because of this, remind yourself that it isn’t about you. It also isn’t about them. It’s a frustrating situation that’s difficult for everyone. So approach with patience and try to keep your own vulnerabilities separate from the conflict.

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Disability Care: How to Care for Family with a Child with a Disability

October 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
You’ve gone through the long appointments, started the treatments, and begun to understand the disability. Now you have to learn how to keep yourself from exhaustion as you constantly care for your child. It is never an easy job, but it is more than possible to remain healthy, and even happy, in the process.

The most important thing you can do is to set aside time for yourself, and for time with your spouse and other children. You will need this time to recuperate and regain your strength and energy. Take this time to unwind by reading a book, listening to music, or even going and getting a massage. The bottom line is that you must relax.

Caring for a child with a disability can also test the strength if you and your spouses relationship, as well as your relationship with other family members. Try and make sure that you are spending quality time with your spouse, that you are still working together and understanding each other. It is important to keep your marriage focused on each other, not on your children. Having time alone will help this.

For your other family members, including other children, try to find time to spend with them in a relaxed environment, where you can hear how they are doing and what they are feeling. Even if this time is only found in running errands, it is important. If you have older children who help you with your child with a disability, see if you can let them has some time off to recuperate themselves by staying with a relative for a weekend or by going to a camp.

Know that caring for a child with a disability is a challenge for everyone, and you will always find suggestions that you will not be able to follow. Choose the most important things to you, and make sure they happen. Life is messy, and so is raising a child with a disability. Do not be discouraged. You can get through it, and the support of your family can help you.

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Treatments and Options for Autism

October 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
When caring for a child with a disability like autism, it can be difficult to know where to start with treatments. What is more frustrating is that there is not cure for this disability. However, several treatments, mostly different kinds of therapy, have been found useful in allowing your child to function best.

Three popular treatments for disabilities like autism are behavioral therapy, communication therapy, and education therapy. These work very well when used together, as well. There are many different focuses within these therapies, and you should meet with several therapist to talk about their approach, as well as your expectations. These can help you child increase their ability to learn and communicate, and reduce your child’s negative behavior by creating healthier reacting skills. At the very least, it may help you understand what your child is going through and allow you to connect with them more.

Besides these more common therapies, you might also want to look into other therapy that will try to bring out your child’s creativity while stimulating and growing their senses. This includes music and art therapy. These can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity for your child while also allowing them to improve.

There are also some medications that may alleviate certain symptoms of the disability, such as anxiety and behavioral issues. Be sure to talk with your doctor about what would be best for your child, as well as to discuss the risks involved with any medication.

Some parents have found a good deal of success with using diets to alleviate the symptoms of autism. While the medical world is still researching the connection between any certain diet and autism, a gluten free diet or a dairy-free diet are two popular options. Some diets try to eliminate all possible allergens, and some have instead switched to eating only organic. You can see if any of these diet changes help with your child’s behavior and functioning. If you would be interested to try a new treatment for your child, be sure to meet with your doctor to discuss it.

Source: WebMD.com

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Putting Together a Care Team for Your Child with a Disability

October 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Caring for a child with a disability is more than a one person, or even a one-family job. It takes a team of teachers, therapists and doctors to be able to work together and encourage the growth and development for your child.

The first thing you need to do is find all the people you are looking for. Does your child have a main doctor that you like and are comfortable with? Do you need to make an appointment and talk with another specialist? Your doctors will be the ones who are keeping up the current available information, treatments, and research on your child’s disability. You want them to be someone that you can easily communicate with and do not feel uncomfortable calling when you have a question or need to set up another appointment.

For most disabilities, you also need to find a therapists, or possibly more than one. You probably need more than one therapist if your child has a disability both mentally and physically. Your doctor may be able to recommend a therapist, or a local organization or support group may be able to help you as well. The key with these therapists is finding someone that your child is comfortable with and is willing to cooperate with.

Education is another area where you need to make sure you have a good relationship with the staff. Get to know your child’s teacher, and anyone else who regularly works with him or her, such as a teacher’s aid or special education teacher. You may want to consider enrolling your child into a private or special school, if you can afford it, if you find it difficult to work with the staff at the school near you.

Once you have your team together, you need to remember to keep them informed. If you and your doctor have discussed a special diet for your child, make sure you have made it known to your child’s teachers. Likewise, if you have been trying a new kind of therapy and found it very effective, make sure to let your doctor know.

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