Caregiving.com: Managing The Stress ~ Making The Decisions ~ Discovering The Meaning

Housebound

Solutions To Your Caregiving Situations Throughout Your Caregiving Years

When Housebound, Make In-House Activities Work for You It looks like a blizzard outside. Or, a flood. And, inside, well, you and your care recipient have been alternating between staring at the walls and staring at each other. Deep sighs are your only companions. Caregiving will make your world smaller; enter bad weather into the equation and your world seems as small as your living room. You've both bored, cranky and crabby. What to do? We've put some ideas together to help you survive the weather blahs: 1. (And, most important...) Think like a kid! Take out the ol' game boards (Monopoly, Life) and puzzles. Or, simply start a game of charades. Make up new rules that work for your care recipient. 2. Get the family history. If you haven't done it, now's a great opportunity to ask your care recipient about his or her personal history. And, if you care recipients has a short-term memory loss, this is a great opportunity for you to go back in time and learn about childhood, early years in a marriage, your grandparents, great-grandparents. Typically, you'll learn a few family secrets and a few juicy tidbits. This article and list of resources (Their Past, Our Present: Walking Back in Time) may you help capture your care recipient's personal history. Looking through old family photos may help jog your care recipient's memory. 3. Write letters. Use the time to catch up on correspondence together. Your care recipient (with your assistance, if appropriate) can write letters to other family members, perhaps sharing some personal stories and feelings. 4. Rent a movie through Netflix (http://www.netflix.com)--no need to leave the house. Order online for delivery to your house. 5. Create art--draw, paint, color, take photographs. 6. Talk about your view of life--your goals, your dreams, your visions for your future. And, then ask your care recipient about hers (or his). 7. Streamline your caregiving personal care regime. If possible, ask for your care recipient's input as to how to organize the "Caregiving Closet" (the spot for the incontinence supplies, wound care, medications, over-the-counter remedies, extra walker and cane). 8. Write your ethical wills. An ethical will describes lessons learned and wisdom shared; for more information, visit http://www.ethicalwill.com/. 9. Start a discussion about inheritance. Our special section ("Mom Promised That To Me!") can help you get started. 10. And, for the ladies: Turn your home into a spa; take out the nail polish, facial cream and make-up. We're never too old for pampering! 11. And, when your care recipient naps, enjoy some rest, as well. And, when your care recipient settles in for the night, write your caregiving story (the good, the bad and the ugly). Your story on paper (or on the computer) recognizes how important, resilient and smart you really are. 12. Join one of our support groups; the members of our groups will keep you warm. Additional Resources: Montessori Activity Ideas for Your Care Recipient with Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia: http://www.caregiving.com/support/html/activity_ideas.htm General Activity Ideas for You, Your Care Recipient and Your Family: http://www.caregiving.com/Focus/index.htm Activity Ideas for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease: --http://www.caregiving.com/support/html/askdenise166.htm --http://www.caregiving.com/support/html/askdenise60.htm Activities and Videos to Keep Your Care Recipient Occupied: http://www.caregiving.com/yourcare/html/weeklytip135.htm Additional Articles Of Interest: Activity Ideas for Alzheimer's Patients: http://www.zarcrom.com/users/alzheimers/a-indx.html The Forgetting: Time Together: http://www.pbs.org/theforgetting/together/index.html What activities do you enjoy with your care recipient during bad weather? Or, when it's difficult to get out of the house? Send your stories to Denise.   Getting Your Care Recipient Help When Winter Weather Gets in the Way Tell a friend about this article:

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