We serve a variety of clients at Caregivers In Home Services, so we encounter mental illness regularly. Less than 3% of adults are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and about 80% of these cases are considered severe. Bipolar patients seeing a counselor are most likely learning tools to learn how to cope with their diagnosis, one of those tools is called "WDEP."
WDEP is a reality therapy strategy that basically asks the questions: what do you want, what are you doing, is what your doing getting you what you want, and what is your plan moving forward?
W- What do you want?
D- What are you doing?
E- Let's evaluate: is what your doing getting you what you want?
P- What is your plan?
While this strategy is used in clients with Bipolar Disorder, we can all benefit from asking ourselves this from time to time, because the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and getting the same result.
You can use WDEP in relational situations, the workplace, school, anywhere you want to see change happening!
Here at Caregiver In Home Services we are always learning and growing to try and educate ourselves so we can in turn serve the community to our fullest potential.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Protection and Self Determination
The NCLN, National Consumer Law Center, hosted a webinar today discussing self determination and safety for our elderly and disabled loved ones. The main premise of the webinar was to stress the importance of humans having the ability to exercise their right to choice at the greatest capacity possible for each individual. One of the points they drove home regarding choice is the rising occurrence of unnecessary guardianships which take the right of choice away. This is a problem because when we as humans have more choices we live a life of self determination which leads to a better life. That's what we want for our loved ones!
Along with leading safe lives come the topics of abuse and neglect. People who are experiencing abuse are less likely to speak up, especially if the offender is a loved one. So how can you tell if your loved one is experiencing abuse?
Our elders and disabled may have usual bruises and abrasions that you may be able to find on their elbows, knees, hands or shins from typical bumps into furniture or bracing themselves, but what to look out for are unusual marks. Doctors are trained to look for these signs, but you can help at home by keeping an eye out for bruises that are a-typical for the person in particular as well as emotional signs such as; becoming nervous, fearful or withdrawn in general or around specific a person.
Exploitation is also a concern. These signs will help you determine if the assigned caregiver is exploiting their position:
-the basic needs of the person are not being met
-bills are unpaid
-things go missing
-ATM activity is unusual for the circumstances
-what is the money being used for?
-unexplained changes in lifestyle, increase OR decrease
-exploiter joins in the bounty
Like children, adults may also experience neglect. Adults have the right to neglect themselves, but if you find a good social worker they may be able to help you and your family increase the quality of life for your family member or friend.
If your family has appointed a caregiver they have a legal obligation to meet the needs specified for their charge. Signs of neglect by a caregiver include:
-isolation
-changes in dress and hygiene
-weight loss/gain------->diet?
REMEBER this------ LOOK SMELL LISTEN
If it doesn't look, smell or sound right it probably isn't!
Again, choices equate to empowerment. I bet if you sit and think about it you can come up with a list of ways to help empower your loved one and give them choices. Here are some ideas to get you started. Remember, work together!
-Delivery services
-Housekeeping services
-Home health care services
-Home care services
Best of luck!
Along with leading safe lives come the topics of abuse and neglect. People who are experiencing abuse are less likely to speak up, especially if the offender is a loved one. So how can you tell if your loved one is experiencing abuse?
Our elders and disabled may have usual bruises and abrasions that you may be able to find on their elbows, knees, hands or shins from typical bumps into furniture or bracing themselves, but what to look out for are unusual marks. Doctors are trained to look for these signs, but you can help at home by keeping an eye out for bruises that are a-typical for the person in particular as well as emotional signs such as; becoming nervous, fearful or withdrawn in general or around specific a person.
Exploitation is also a concern. These signs will help you determine if the assigned caregiver is exploiting their position:
-the basic needs of the person are not being met
-bills are unpaid
-things go missing
-ATM activity is unusual for the circumstances
-what is the money being used for?
-unexplained changes in lifestyle, increase OR decrease
-exploiter joins in the bounty
Like children, adults may also experience neglect. Adults have the right to neglect themselves, but if you find a good social worker they may be able to help you and your family increase the quality of life for your family member or friend.
If your family has appointed a caregiver they have a legal obligation to meet the needs specified for their charge. Signs of neglect by a caregiver include:
-isolation
-changes in dress and hygiene
-weight loss/gain------->diet?
REMEBER this------ LOOK SMELL LISTEN
If it doesn't look, smell or sound right it probably isn't!
Again, choices equate to empowerment. I bet if you sit and think about it you can come up with a list of ways to help empower your loved one and give them choices. Here are some ideas to get you started. Remember, work together!
-Delivery services
-Housekeeping services
-Home health care services
-Home care services
Best of luck!
Senior Mental Health and Fitness
Mental and physical health are not independent of one another; to lead a happy and healthy life you must have an active body and mind. This applies to people of all ages, but today the senior community will be addressed. Cathleen Kronemer is a trainer at the Creve Coeur JCC and was kind enough to share her experience in working with the senior community for over twenty-seven years.
Cathleen mainly works with seniors, as do many of the trainers at this location, and says that they become apart of the family over time. A lot of the time her clients a widows and widowers and need a place to socialize and be active. As you look around the JCC you can observe many clients working with trainers or sitting in groups chatting before taking on the rest of their day. Socialization is a very important aspect of senior mental health, it keeps them connected and feeling useful.
Seniors, just like many of us, experience apprehension about being able to physically handle a group exercise class, it is important for them to see others just like them doing what they are thinking about doing, which can increase self efficacy, says Cathleen. Watching other people like yourself just makes the task feel possible and can increase intrinsic motivation.
I'm sure a lot of us hear our parents or grandparents say, "What difference is it going to make?" Cathleen says that it can make the last twenty years of someone's life easier. They may not be running marathons, but it will be more likely that they can do something like, putting pants on, an independent activity rather than assisted.
What about pain? As we get older we all have aches and pains. Most trainers will say to a client that they know the difference between acute pain and everyday soreness. Cathleen said that she also tells her clients that most of the time they will feel better if they come into the gym even just for thirty minutes; it's a hard sell, but over time they begin to believe energy begets energy!
Exercise of any kind and socialization are the ingredients for mental health at any age. Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and get moving.
The JCC is full of seniors staying active and socializing. If they can do it so can you!
Cathleen mainly works with seniors, as do many of the trainers at this location, and says that they become apart of the family over time. A lot of the time her clients a widows and widowers and need a place to socialize and be active. As you look around the JCC you can observe many clients working with trainers or sitting in groups chatting before taking on the rest of their day. Socialization is a very important aspect of senior mental health, it keeps them connected and feeling useful.
Seniors, just like many of us, experience apprehension about being able to physically handle a group exercise class, it is important for them to see others just like them doing what they are thinking about doing, which can increase self efficacy, says Cathleen. Watching other people like yourself just makes the task feel possible and can increase intrinsic motivation.
I'm sure a lot of us hear our parents or grandparents say, "What difference is it going to make?" Cathleen says that it can make the last twenty years of someone's life easier. They may not be running marathons, but it will be more likely that they can do something like, putting pants on, an independent activity rather than assisted.
What about pain? As we get older we all have aches and pains. Most trainers will say to a client that they know the difference between acute pain and everyday soreness. Cathleen said that she also tells her clients that most of the time they will feel better if they come into the gym even just for thirty minutes; it's a hard sell, but over time they begin to believe energy begets energy!
Exercise of any kind and socialization are the ingredients for mental health at any age. Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and get moving.
The JCC is full of seniors staying active and socializing. If they can do it so can you!
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