Elderly Services Program hosts caregiver training
May 22, 2017
Christopher Lomahquahu
Gila River Indian News
For individuals in need of in-home care, the services of a caregiver are their lifeline, often requiring round-the-clock care to restore the comforts of normal living within their home, but what is equally important is to have qualified and well trained caregivers to manage the jobs requirements.
A one-day training co-hosted by the Gila River Indian Community Elderly Services Program, the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona and the Foundation of Senior Living focused on training caregiver’s on the safest ways to care for those in need, at the District 5 Multipurpose building on April 28.
Basic actions like moving a client from their bed to a chair or the bathroom are things most people take for granted, but are often a chore that can only be accomplished with the help of a caregiver.
Homemaker Services Coordinator Crystal Nish-Wright said the caregiver training is beneficial to individuals that are homemakers, elderly service staff.
The workshop covered information reducing the individual’s risk of accidents in the home related to inaccessibility and hazards.
One of the presenters, Dorothy Kelly, went over some of the techniques and equipment caregivers can use to transfer a patient from one position to another for tasks that include showering, going to the restroom and moving positions.
Kelly presented some scenarios that caregivers need to plan for in case of an emergency such as a house fire, when it is good to know where all the safety exits are.
Among other topics covered were on diabetic and nutrition education, working with challenging behavior that covers dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the most effective ways that was impressed upon the caregivers was being aware of patients at early, middle and late stage Alzheimer’s and the behaviors associated with each phase.
One part of caregiving that often overlooked, is the caregiver.
It is an all too common symptom that affects caregivers that they will put off self-care in order to meet the job’s tasks.
If it is a family member that is being cared for, it is even more emotionally straining to see them go through their stages of change.
A couple of symptoms described in caregiver burnout are feeling tired, sleeping too much, gaining or losing weight in a small amount of time or alcohol or drugs.
In order to address or prevent those symptoms from manifesting or getting worse, a few strategies were provided to the caregivers.
The tips included accepting help for their symptoms, setting realistic goals, joining a support group and setting personal health goals.
