"One person caring about another represents life's greatest value." Jim Rohn
Shelley Webb is an author, speaker and Geriatric Care Manager. She has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years with experience in the fields of neonatal intensive care, dialysis and care management. When her father came to live with her in 2005, the advantages of her medical experience became clear. Due to his dementia and congestive heart failure, her father was not able to care for himself alone any longer and so she took over these duties.
Having experienced the helplessness, frustration, overwhelm and even loneliness that caregiving can bring, Shelley became passionate about offering encouragement, education and emotional support to all caregivers of aging parents and loved ones.
Shelley is founder and director of http://IntentionalCaregiver.com, The Intentional Caregiver.
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Shelley Webb answered:How can I tell when my elderly parent needs assistance?
Any change in habit or personality could be a warning sign that an elderly family member needs help to remain at home. Has your parent become easily irritated or suddenly taken to being tearful? These could be signs of dementia. And contrary to what many believe, dementia is not a normal process
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Shelley Webb answered:
What is the difference between a DO and an MD?
The difference between a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and an MD (Doctor of Medicine) is really a difference in philosophy. While medical doctors (which are based on allopathic medicine) evaluate the disease within their patient in terms of how it affects only certain parts of the body, the...Read More -
Shelley Webb answered:
What is a durable power of attorney?
A durable power of attorney can cover either healthcare or finances and one is needed for each issue. It is usually worded so that it goes into effect only after a doctor has certified that the elderly person has become incapacitated. The person who is authorized in the durable power of a...Read More -
Shelley Webb answered:
How can owning a pet improve my aging parent's mood and outlook?
Intangible, psychological benefits have been documented with pet ownership. Stroking animals relieves stress, and the presence of non-judgmental, devoted pets combats loneliness. As a result, depression, often due to loss and isolation, is greatly reduced. Elderly people also regain a sense...Read More -
Shelley Webb answered:
My newborn has yellow skin. What could be causing this?
Yellow skin in newborns (called neonatal jaundice and which can include the normally white schlera of the eyes) is a fairly common clinical condition found in newborns. About 70% of newborns exhibit some degree of jaundice. Jaundice could be caused for several different reasons, the most common of which is that&nbs
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Shelley Webb answered:
How can I get some help for caregiver burnout?
Caregivers are notorious for thinking that asking for help is a sign of weakness and that they can handle it all by themselves. Many times, they are secretly wishing that someone would just come in and help without being asked. When that doesn't happen, they can begin to become angry (usually...Read More -
Shelley Webb answered:
Why do I often feel guilt as a caregiver?
Guilt is a part of all aspects of caregiving. Caregivers are often overburdened and torn between what they need to accomplish for their employer, their spouse, their family, and their care recipient. What was not accomplished often leads to feelings of guilt. For example, a caregiver can miss...Read More -
Shelley Webb answered:
Where can I find caregiver support?
If you are caregiving for an aging parent or loved one, there are several options available to you for caregiver support.
The first one I always recommend is the support groups offered by the Alzheimer's Association. Your loved one needn't have Alzheimer's Disease nor even dementia i norder for you to participa
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Shelley Webb answered:
What caregiving services can I find in my community?
Many communities are responding to the needs of caregivers of aging parents and loved ones and beginning to offer a wide varity of caregiving services.
First, check with your local Area Agency on Aging - they are a wealth of information about resources in your area. They also have a scholarship program
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Shelley Webb answered:
What are some signals of caregiver stress or burnout?
Have you ever been burned out on your job? You hate to go to work, hate, hate, hate Mondays? Did you know that a large majority of heart attacks happen on Sunday nights? That's not coincidental. You hate the thought of walking out the door, even hate the thought of getting up in the morning.
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Shelley Webb answered:
What are some caregiver tips?
The most important tip I can give you is to take care of yourself. Although this may seem selfish, it is actually for the benefit of the care recipient. I'm sure that you've heard self-care being compared to placing your own oxygen mask before you attempt to help anyone else. I also like to give
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Shelley Webb answered:
How does anger lead to guilt in caregivers?
Anger can lead to feelings of guilt with caregiving. You may feel badly about being angry that you are stressed, overwhelmed, over-worked, tired, etc., so then you feel guilty which leads to anger back to guilt and more anger....a never-ending circle. Guilt will also cause you not to take...Read More -
Shelley Webb answered:
As caregiver for an elderly relative, how can I make time for myself?
Yes, I know what you're thinking - there is no time for myself! But you absolutely have to make some, even it's for only an afternoon each week. Enlist family members or friends, check with your local Area-On-Aging for some free respite help, or contact a Home Health Agency. Remember what...Read More -
Shelley Webb answered:
As a caregiver, what information should I bring to doctors' appointments?
Make a list of questions that you or your loved one would like covered during a doctor's visit. Just as having a grocery list helps get you home with all of your grocery items in hand, this list of questions will keep you focused on obtaining all the answers you want to receive. Also, bring...Read More -
Shelley Webb answered:
What are the different ways to pay for long term care?
There are basically 4 ways to pay for long term care:
- Private funds,
- Insurances such as Medicare, Supplemental Policies, or Long Term Care Policies
- Veteran's Administration Funds
- Medicaid.
Additionally, there are a number of strategies that can be used to qualify a patient without using up
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