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Helping You to Care for a Disabled Relative
Caring for a disabled relative can be tough; in many cases you’re relied upon 24/7 to care for someone who is unable to care for themselves. Even caring for someone part time can be physically and mentally draining.
There is no denying that this amount of devotion to someone is something admirable and a clear sign you love and care for them greatly, but even the best of us need space to relax, unwind and have some ‘me’ time. Many organizations are set up for carers to help them take care of their disabled relative or else give them a place to stay while the carer spends some time alone. It is about choosing what is right for your situation, and allows each member of the family to live happily.
There are two general types of care: supported living and residential care. Both of these can adapt and work with your situation as well as they can to make you and your family happy and comfortable. There are also a number of aids available that can help with everyday duties. Let’s look at these types of care in a bit more detail.
• Supported Living – Supported living is a type of care where the patient is cared for at home by professionals. If you’re caring for a family member in their home, then you yourself are offering a form of supported living.
Professional carers usually work as part of an organization or business where they come in once or twice a day to help out; this could range from getting the patient out of bed, dressed and washed, cooking meals for them or taking them to the toilet.
If you’re finding it difficult to cope with caring for a relative and are considering placing them in residential care, professional supported living may offer a solution. In the case of many patients, remaining in a place where they feel at ease helps their condition; those with physical impairments, learning difficulties or mental illness may need a familiar environment to feel safe.
• Residential Care – Residential care is given to patients in a residential house rather than in their home. There are many different kinds of residential care available; some provide care around the clock with a range of different carers on hand to provide help. Others offer a form of independent living where the patient does not need care 24/7 but cannot live on their own completely.
Residential care offers a social aspect as well, allowing patients to interact with people they can identify with and have something in common. It is also great for those whose relatives live too far away or in an unsuitable place where they cannot care for them properly. Residential care allows those to live as independently as they like, depending on the condition of their disability.
Some residential care units accept patients only during the day or even for just a couple of days a week. This can allow the full-time carer the space they need, while also potentially, allowing the patient some much needed socialization.
• Assistive Technology and Disability Aids – assistive technology refers to pieces of equipment designed to help those with a range of disabilities such as deafness or blindness to cope with tasks that we take for granted.
Disability aids often refers to mobility equipment such as scooters, wheelchairs and devices to help with bathing.
Both assistive technology and disability aids can help relieve some of the duties associated with looking after a relative as they ease the difficulties associated with day-to-day living.
Understand that you do not have to look after a disabled relative alone. There are many options and organizations available to you that will do everything they can to make sure everyone is happy and comfortable. It is important to do careful and detailed research into facilities you are interested in to make sure your disabled relative gets the best care they can.
Mothers 3rd Arm was developed for parents but we pleasantly surprised how it helps the disability and special needs community. We are glad to help and thank you for supporting us. Please share this article with your friends, family and check out our Bottle Holders.
This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Voyage, who offer supported living services and access to activities for adults with learning disabilities.
Top 5 Christmas gifts for baby twins
Top 5 Christmas gifts for baby twins
Are you looking for a fabulous Christmas gift for a loved-one’s baby twins? In the baby stage, the most important quality of a gift is making parents happy. Parenting infant twins can be rather stressful, so items that make caring for two babies easier will delight any mom and dad. Here are the Top Five gifts guaranteed to be a success!
1. Baby swings
In the first few months, baby swings can be a true life-saver for twin parents. If you want to make twin parents really happy, two baby swings will almost definitely make it happen. There are many different kinds of baby swings on the market. Most have several different settings for swinging, and play songs. Baby swings allow a tired twin mom to put her babies down in a safe place and take a shower once in a while, or even read a book while they nap if she’s very lucky.
2. Wooden blocks
For older babies – past six months or so – durable toys that will keep the them busy for a long time are great. Wooden blocks start to be fun for young babies, and can remain a favorite until well past the toddler stage. Wooden blocks that are non-toxic (like those made by Plan Toys, for example) can also serve as teethers for babies with painful gums. Best of all, there are enough blocks in a set so that twins can share this gift without fighting.
3. A one-baby stroller and one baby carrier
We’re sure that the twin parents you are going Christmas shopping for have already got a double stroller. These may seem essential to any mom pregnant with twins, but they are not always all that practical. Double strollers can be hard to drive about, and don’t always fit through doors. In some situations, a single stroller and a baby carrier make a much more practical way to get twins from A to B. We like a mei tai or Ergo baby carrier, and a light stroller (make sure the back can be flattened for when the baby naps).
4. Baby bottle holder
With the Mother’s 3rd Arm baby bottle holder, twin parents can spend one-on-one time with one baby, while the other enjoys a bottle. The Mother’s 3rd Arm bottle holder can be attached to a stroller or car seat, so it can be used inside the house or while the twin parent is running errands. Of course, this baby bottle holder can be used with formula or breast milk – if your twin mom works outside of the home, her nanny will especially appreciate this easy feeding aid.
5. Tableware sets
If the baby twins you are playing Santa Claus for are going to start solid foods soon, tableware sets make a beautiful gift. You can get two similar crockery and cutlery sets in different colors or with different prints. Make sure any tableware you buy is of a good quality, that it can go in the dish washer, and is able to withstand some rough handling.
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Bottle Tips – Avoiding Poisonous Materials
My sister turned to me for help with organic options for her new arrival, she is expecting her first baby. I had to start doing some research because I don’t have any little ones of my own. I would love to share with you what I found.
In my opinion most of the conventional baby products currently in the market are a hazard. A string of stories jump up daily reporting harmful chemicals linked to toys and parents scrambling to get rid of these blacklisted products. But plastic baby bottles, a newborn’s connection to nourishment, should be of equal concern.
Almost every mom knows that breast feeding is the best option but some mothers can’t, many moms switch back-and-forth between breast milk and formula or pump their milk into bottles. Higher levels of chemicals can leach out of the plastic when baby bottles are heated or milk is warmed and placed in a bottle. Infant could be exposed to higher levels of toxic chemicals when you reheat a bottle again and again.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is the dangerous agent found in polycarbonate plastic. It has been linked to impaired immune function, hyperactivity, cancer and other symptoms. Sadly, the majority of plastic baby bottles are made from polycarbonate plastic. Since the late 1990s, studies have indicated that exposure to BPA, even in low doses, could cause adverse side effects.
Bottle Tips:
- Never purchase polycarbonate plastic bottles. Purchase bottles made from glass, if you’re concerned about chipping or breaking of glass, you can choose safer options such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide.
- Never use plastic to microwave food and liquid. If you must use plastic, never pour hot liquid into the bottle—the higher the temperature, the more BPA is released. The amount of leaching has been found to be seven times higher in bottles more than three months old, which can be attributed to scratches caused by harsh washing techniques.
- Avoid all plastic products marked with recycling code 7, which includes polycarbonate (abbreviated, PC). This number is found on the bottom of the container or toy.
I’m always happy to talk with you about choosing right baby bottles. Drop me a line and I’ll get back soon.
Great Aid for Parkinson’s Disease
If you are living with Parkinson’s disease, it can sometimes seem like you are facing an uphill struggle every single day of your life. Parkinson’s disease can affect many aspects of a person’s daily life. Tremor is the most apparent and well-known symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
Mothers Third Arm is an adaptive tool that you can use, in promoting your sense of wellness. Feeding can be greatest challenge with progressive tremor. Mothers 3rd Arm is best for holding drinks. Parkinson’s disease sufferers themselves can move the Mothers 3rd Arm toward them and drink without anyone else holding it.
Mother’s 3rd Arm has been proven to be irreplaceable when it comes to hydration for disabled individuals. It attaches easily to a wheel chair, nightstand, computer desk, standard desk, car seat, beach chair and more.
Tips for Toy Safety
Toys are the treasures of childhood, as long as they’re chosen with care. But are toys really hazardous?
How to tell if toys are safe? Keep your child’s safety your top priority by following these tips on toy safety:
- Check the toys packaging for the manufacturer’s recommended age before purchasing.
- Check all electronic toys to see if they are UL approved. The label should indicate that Underwriter Laboratories approved it.
- Check for recalls online at www.recalls.gov or www.cpsc.gov
- Avoid toys with small and removable parts which can pose a chocking hazard. Any toy that can fit in an empty toilet paper roll is too small for a child younger than 3 years. Make sure that any item – or any removable part of an item – is no less than 11/4 inches in any dimension so that it cannot be swallowed or produce gagging.
- Inspect toys with batteries to make sure they are not exposed or leaking.
- Inspect toys on a regular basis to see if any pieces are broken. An item that passes all safety checks at the time of purchase can immediately become a serious hazard as soon as it is broken, chipped, or otherwise damaged.
- Ensure all crayons, paints and markers are non toxic.
- Stuffed toys should be labeled “nonflammable,” “flame resistant,” or “flame retardant,” as well as “washable.”