Protect Yourself!
Dear Caregivers,
This weekend many Americans, including a few Floridians, got a rare treat in getting a glimpse of the Northern Lights (unfortunately, it was cloudy where I live, but my son Ben took the shot above, in North Carolina). Usually the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are seen mostly in the far north and south of the planet. But an usually active period of “storming” on the sun (yes, our sun has occasional storms!) caused the earth to be bathed in an extra-strong dose of solar particles over the weekend.
These bursts of particles can be harmful if you are somewhere out in deep space, but here at home the earth’s magnetic field captures these particles way up high in the atmosphere, long before they hit us, and shunts them off to the North and South Poles. There, these particles finally fall into the atmosphere, giving off bursts of energy that cause the night sky to glow in magnificent, beautiful, curtains of light.
I find it comforting, in a way, to reflect that it is earth’s wonderful blanket of magnetic protection, which in fact makes life on earth possible, not only saves us from harm but also gives us such amazing beauty.
In a similar way, knowing that you have in place a blanket of protection for you and your loved one can lead to an intense feeling of security, calm, and even bliss, perhaps. There is nothing that does more for the reduction of stress in your life than knowing you have the right plans and documentation in place, so that if a storm should hit in your and your loved one’s life, you already have the systems you need at the ready, to protect you from harm.
Here are some essentials to consider:
Building Your Caregiver’s Plan B:
No family caregiver wants to think they wouldn't be able to help their loved one, in the event that something could happen to you that would make it impossible for you to provide the care support you do now. This makes it critical that you identify an individual who is the best “Plan B” caregiver, able to quickly take over as advocate and guardian for your Loved One in the event that is needed. Here’s how to create your Caregiver Plan B.
The Basics of Advance Directives:
In situations where your loved one cannot speak for themselves, medical personnel will turn to the next of kin to get help in making important health decisions. It is important to have your loved one’s wishes of how to respond in a serious medical situation be known in advance, through several documents such as an Advanced Directive and a Living Will. Here’s what you need to know.
Managing the End of the Long Goodbye:
Many family caregivers identify taking on the role of medical decision-maker for a loved one as one of their greatest challenges. This is especially true when their illness advances to the late stage of Alzheimer's disease, and you are asked to represent your loved one's wishes for care at the end of their life. One of the most difficult decisions many caregivers face involves the "Do Not Resuscitate" or "DNR" order that means your loved one does not want to be kept alive with artificial means. Here are some steps that a family caregiver can take to confidently understand this challenging responsibility and support their loved one’s wishes for end-of-life medical decisions.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“The principle of self-defense has never been condemned, even by Gandhi.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr
