Oftentimes, a caregiver is thrust into service when a loved one experiences a health event that is sudden and possibly non-recoverable. There are often many questions, such as: How do I communicate now that dad can no longer speak? With mom bedfast, how in the world am I supposed to bathe and wash her hair? What is a gait belt and how is it used?
Good news! I’ve got something that will help you and it is absolutely free as well as accessible 24 hours per day seven days per week! I will even provide the links for you. This program, a joint venture between the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Aging Services Division, Redlands Community College, and MetLife set up a website where caregiving information is warehoused and a part of that are some demonstration videos along with power point training on specific questions and concerns of caregivers universally. For instance,
If you have questions about how to properly wash your hands and keep infection down, click on this link: http://www.oklahomapca.org/2011/07/28/infection-control/
If you have questions about how to communicate with your loved one now that they have experienced some verbal, hearing, or memory incident, go here: http://www.oklahomapca.org/2011/07/27/communication/
If you have concerns about how to turn a bedfast person or give them a proper bed bath, you can find the answers here: http://www.oklahomapca.org/2011/07/27/bed-rest-essentials/
Do you wonder what a gait belt is, when to use it and how to use it correctly go here: http://www.oklahomapca.org/2011/07/27/bed-rest-essentials/
Finally, if your loved one is supposed to have their blood pressure and heart rate taken regularly but you don’t know how to do it you can see a demonstration here: http://www.oklahomapca.org/2011/07/28/vital-signs/
There is a great deal of information on the website that appears to be exclusive to Oklahoma but is not. So, if you have questions please go to the home page at http://www.oklahomapca.org and surf around within the website, I bet you can find what you need!
