Dealing with Caregiver Stress

Welcome to our Caregiver’s Blog. At ViaQuest we know the important role family caregivers play. We also know this is not an easy role. So we have started a new resource on our website to provide information, insights and resources to help caregivers succeed and remain whole while living this very important role. For our first blog, we’ve decided to share some insights on one of the most important realities of caregiving – dealing with stress. Here are some tips on how to handle the stress that is sure to come.

Reduce Stress, Increase Confidence.

Caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your loved one. Even the most resilient person can be worn down by the emotional and physical demands of caregiving. Here are some strategies on how to stay on top of stress.

Recognize when you are stressed. Common signs of stress consist of:

  • Anxiety, depression, irritability

  • Feeling tired and run down

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • New or worsening health problems

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Drinking, smoking, or eating more

  • Neglecting responsibilities

  • Cutting back on leisure activities

Strategies for Dealing with Caregiver Stress

  • Ask for and accept help. Make a list of ways that others can help you, and let the helper choose what they want to assist you with. For instance, a friend may offer to pick up groceries for you or walk your dog. Accept their help and don’t try to do everything on your own.

  • Take time for yourself. Keep in touch with friends and family, and continue to do things you enjoy. Find ways to pamper yourself such as, lighting candles and taking a long bath or going to get a manicure. Or whatever makes you feel good. Make regular time for things that bring you happiness, whether it be gardening or reading a book. Continuing to do things you love is a great way to relieve stress and lift your spirits.

  • Focus on what you can provide. Trust your decisions and believe that you are doing the best you can and making the best decisions you can at any given time.

  • Stay organized. Make to-do lists and create a daily routine. Break larger tasks into smaller steps that you can do one at a time.

  • Seek social support. Stay connected with family and friends that can offer you emotional support. Set aside time each week for friends and family to just talk or even go for a walk. Turn to friends or family who will listen and acknowledge your efforts.

  • Set personal health goals. Find time for physical activity and stay active throughout the week. Eat well and don’t rely on sugar and caffeine, which only provide a quick pick-me-up. Set a good sleep routine. Cutting back on sleep can worsen your mood, energy and productivity.

    One thing to always remember as you navigate your role as a caregiver, is that you do not have to handle this alone. ViaQuest Home Health and ViaQuest Hospice supports family caregivers by adding an extra layer of support and ensuring the wellbeing of both the caregiver and the patient.

The Holiday Reality Check – How Are Your Aging Parents Doing

 

This holiday season ViaQuest is encouraging a ‘holiday reality check’. Many of us return home for the holidays, the perfect time to get a real picture of how your aging family members are doing. Sometimes the return home visit can lead to a shocking discovery: your parents are not fairing as well as they led you to believe.

“Often adult children return home to find their parents are not doing quite as well as they’ve been led to believe. They discover new or increased frailties, less mobility, a general decline in their well being. They’ve been reassured for months by their parents who don’t want to burden them, or who may not want to confront their own diminishing capabilities, or who may not be fully aware themselves that they’re losing ground,” said Kathy Richard, Chief Clinical Officer, ViaQuest.

The ‘reality jolt’ is more likely to hit adult children who live far enough away that they can’t regularly look in on aging family members. They’ve been reassured that all is fine, but find out differently when they do visit.

For those returning home for the holidays, it’s the perfect time to do a reality check on how your aging family members really are doing. Look for these telltale warning signs:

  1. Are there signs of cognitive impairment? Forgetfulness and confusion are definite red flags that should never be overlooked.
  2. Take a look around the home and assess its general appearance. Are there signs of damage or neglect? If their home is not as organized or as clean as they once kept it, it could mean they are no longer able to properly do general household tasks.
  3. Is there outdated or spoiled food in the refrigerator?
  4. Are you noticing a marked weakness, loss of stamina or strength?
  5. Are there noticeable bruises? This could be a sign your loved one is having mobility or balance issues.

“Determining if help is needed then understanding what local services are available in the home is a first step, said Kathy. “Many don’t realize that there is help out there that can help keep mom or dad in their home. It could be a small change like engaging a home helper to handle laundry and shopping and help with bathing or a chore service to help with home repairs and home safety. If their decline is related to a serious illness then ViaQuest may be an option.”

At ViaQuest, we often talk about our services being an “extra layer of support“ for family caregivers. We know when you are caring for a loved one with a serious illness, you can sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed.

Imagine having a support system there for you and your loved one. With ViaQuest there’s a specially-trained team of doctors, dedicated nurses, nurses’ aides and other dedicated professionals that come to your home and support your family in caring for your loved one.

Our support includes nurses who visit the patient as often as needed and make arrangements for medications and medical equipment. Nurses’ aides help your loved one with bathing, personal care, light meals, grooming, and comfort. Our team works together with your other doctors to provide the extra care and support that enables you to feel less overwhelmed when caring for your loved one.

Our care is about sustaining and maintaining your loved one’s quality of life in their home – keeping them safe and comfortable. ViaQuest Hospice can help determine if it is appropriate for your loved one, you can learn more by calling: 855.298.1722.

No matter what you determine is the best fit for your aging parent, the holiday reality check can lead to some pragmatic steps that can help older people maintain their independence, at least for a while.

Medline Makes it Easier for Patients to Receive Critical Supplies through New Patient Home Direct Deal with ViaQuest

Robust resources, efficiencies and dedicated service to drive $100,000 in savings

 

Experts say the graying of America and rising number of chronic conditions are compelling more people to seek quality healthcare in their homes. In order for home health agencies to keep up with demand, enhance the well-being of patients and remain competitive, they must align with strategic partners who can help drive improved outcomes. That’s why ViaQuest Home Health and Hospice turned to leading medical supplier Medline to simplify how patients across Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania can receive vital medical supplies at home.

As part of this new patient home direct deal, Medline will ship anywhere in the country in 48-hours guaranteed with the majority of orders coming next day. This is possible through the company’s more than 40 distribution centers strategically located across the country to ensure customers can receive high quality products when and where they need them most.

Robust Resources and Expertise

As a manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies and clinical programs, Medline helps facilities achieve both clinical and financial success. For ViaQuest, Medline took a closer look at adult brief usage and discovered varying types being used in multiple locations. Teams conducted a trial to reduce variance which led to more focused training and improved pricing. The company is now exploring similar ways to uncover additional savings for gloves, skin health and wound care products. In addition, the Medline Care Solutions program will allow Medline to handle non-Medicare billing for approved supplies. This means agencies can order from one medical supplier instead of multiple companies.

“Today’s healthcare leaders are under pressure to deliver quality, improve patient care and bring down expenses. This can be a tall order without trusted partners by your side,” says Joshua Paul, regional vice president, homecare division, Medline. “Our dedicated teams understand the healthcare business and the pains our customers face. This partnership with ViaQuest is a perfect example of how Medline can bring expertise and resources from across an entire company together to drive meaningful results.”

“With the challenges facing our industry today, we needed more than a medical supply vendor,” says Kathy Richard, RN, chief clinical officer, ViaQuest Home Health and Hospice. “With Medline, we found a strategic partner who took the time to understand our specific business goals and provided us the specific tools we needed to manage our cost. From clinical expertise to business analysis and reviews, we expect to see advanced clinical outcomes and enhanced cost management with Medline for 2017.”

After nearly two decades of home care experience, Medline understands that home health agencies need more than quality medical supplies. Learn about the comprehensive suite of services and programs available by visiting https://www.medline.com/pages/who-we-serve/home-health/.

About Medline

Medline is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the healthcare industry with medical supplies and clinical solutions that help customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in Northfield, Ill., the company offers 350,000+ medical devices and support services through more than 1,200 direct sales representatives who are dedicated points of contact for customers across the continuum of care. For more information on Medline, go to www.medline.com or http://www.medline.com/social-media to connect with Medline on its social media channels.

About ViaQuest

ViaQuest, Inc. is a healthcare company that believes strongly in choice for its employees and the people it serves. Its areas of expertise include home health and hospice, mental and behavioral health, veteran services, employment services, and developmental disabilities throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. ViaQuest offers quality, highly-personalized, specialized and cost-effective care, empowering individuals to function independently and live their best possible lives. Through a wide range of innovative services referred to as ViaQuest’s Circle of Care, a skilled, dedicated staff ensures that the people served are active participants in their own care. The company is based in Dublin, Ohio. For more information, call ViaQuest at 614.339.8408 or visit www.ViaQuestInc.com.

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