Category Archives: information

Caregiver Fatigue Syndrome

Caregiver stress, aka Caregiver Fatigue Syndrome or Caregiver Burnout, is the byproduct of the countless responsibilities, physical demands, strained time and rollercoaster circumstances that come with the turf. And, since many caregivers consistently put others before themselves, if not addressed, this stress will only snowball.

It’s like the airplane oxygen illustration: Before you help others assemble their masks, you must first ensure you have your own. In this regard, before a caregiver can expect to offer their loved one in a wheelchair or loved one with a disability the best care, they must first take care of themselves.

Any imbalance, and the quality of care for your loved one can decrease while your personal stress and fatigue begin to climb.

Physical Symptoms
Many outsiders don’t realize what it takes to be a caregiver. Unless they’ve been in a similar situation, it’s hard to grasp the physical strain of all the lifts and pulls. Transport has been simplified with the help of mobility vehicles, but there are still the routine transitions from bed to bathroom to dinner and then back to bed. Caregiving is hard work.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have caregiver burnout:
● Decrease in overall energy
● Decrease in immunity (subject to more frequent colds/flus)
● Inconsistent sleep patterns
● Chronic back and/or joint pain
● Weight gains

Emotional Drain
In addition to the uncertainty of medical circumstances and the rollercoaster ride that your loved one may be experiencing, it’s not uncommon for a caregiver to feel alone or assume that nobody understands their situation. Activities and hobbies that once brought you joy may be sidelined to your responsibilities and the constant championing of your loved one might not leave much room for your own pursuits.

You may experience:
● Irritability and frustration
● Difficulty relaxing
● Impatience
● Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
● Dissatisfaction

Mental Exhaustion
Scheduling, logistics, medications and meals — caregivers are the gatekeepers, chauffeurs, advocates, cooks and everything in between for their loved one. There are too many moving parts to name. It’s no wonder things begin to get mentally draining.

Mental exhaustion may be exhibited through:
● Difficulty concentrating
● Feelings of confusion
● Periods of tunnel vision

No matter the symptoms, caregiver fatigue is a serious concern and you are not alone. Don’t buy into the idea that you’re the only caregiver facing these challenges.

If high-quality care for your loved one tops your list, remember that the best starts with the best you.

Easy Ways to Adapt Sports for Kids with Disabilities

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Step up to the plate, take the game-winning shot, leap across the finish line – the thrill of sports is nearly impossible to compare or match to that of another activity. For kids with a disAbility or other mobility limitations, sports can seem intimidating, as if they were a task too difficult to complete. With adaptive sports on the rise and more and more athletes with disAbilities making waves with their skill, kids of all ages and abilities should be encouraged to participate in these exciting activities. With a few modifications, even the most demanding sports can be completely accessible.

Basketball
Wider and lower hoops make this fast paced game a simpler competition. Use buckets, hula-hoops or even boxes can provide a larger targeted area, making it easier for kids to make those winning shots. Lower the “hoops” to a manageable height to boost your child’s confidence in their game.

Baseball
Tees aren’t just useful in golf; they are an excellent way to allow kids to take better aim when hitting a baseball. This sport, amongst others, can improve a child’s hand-eye coordination and focus, as well as instill a sense of teamwork in them.

Volleyball
Beach balls can quickly transform the sport of volleyball into a fully inclusive activity that’s sure to be a blast for everyone. The light beach balls are not only easier to hit, but they allow more time for players with disAbilities to react after the other team’s move. Balloons are another great alternative.

Whatever your sport of choice is, all it takes is a little ingenuity to adapt it to suit a child with a disAbility. Invite your kids’ friends over for backyard Olympics or stir up some friendly competition with your child – not only will sports allow kids to be more active, they’re a great way of improving social skills and abilities.

August is National Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

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Since 1996, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month has worked to increase awareness of this condition, hoping that a boost in the public’s knowledge about SMA will improve resources for research and provide better care for patients.

What can YOU do to help?
As with any cause, getting the message out to the public is the best way to help. Here are a few ways through which you can let your family, friends and colleagues know about SMA Awareness Month.

Host an Event
Whether it’s a picnic at the park or a fundraiser at your library, an event can help promote SMA Awareness Month to a large number of people. Look into posting your event on your community’s calendar, in order to attract an even larger turnout.

Display Promotional Materials
To help enhance awareness events, you can choose to make or purchase promotional materials containing information about SMA, organizations working to find a cure, and ways to donate. Some families and groups have come up with creative ways to display informational materials, like posting ribbons with SMA facts throughout their neighborhood!

Spread the Word
If you are asked questions regarding SMA or your efforts during awareness month (or anytime of the year!), take the opportunity to educate others about the disease. Share all the knowledge you can and instruct those around you on how they, too, can help.

Donate
While this may not be a possibility for us all, monetary contributions can directly go towards funding life-saving research and scientific efforts. Whenever possible, make a donation to support the battle against SMA.

The efforts of those involved in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month can help advance the search for a treatment or cure for those living with the disease. However you choose to get involved, we urge you to support this cause.

Ways To Adjust A Home For Someone With A DisAbility

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There are many different types of disAbilities, therefore, when making changes to a home to accommodate someone with a disAbility, you first need to consider the individual’s specific needs, then the dimensions to follow based on disAbility access laws.

Here are some things to consider when adjusting the home to meet the needs of someone with a disAbility:

Counters and Tables
In the house you may have to adapt counters and tables. They may need to be lowered. They will also need extra open space underneath so that someone using a wheelchair can move closer to the counter or table. You should also consider making sure there is enough space available to maneuver a wheelchair around the house.

Appliances
Some other objects that can be useful in the kitchen for someone with a disAbility include an electric can opener, an electric jar opener and food processor for vegetable cutting. When buying a stove, make sure the knobs are in front so the person using a wheelchair can reach them and turn the oven on or the top burners on.

Toilets
In the bathroom you should consider having elevated toilet seats. Make sure you have bars by the toilet for someone who lacks balance to hold onto while sitting down or standing up. If you have someone that is using a wheelchair you need to have available a sliding board so you can transfer them from the wheelchair to the toilet.

Sinks
Extended levers on the faucet make it easy to turn on and off the water. The sink may need to be lowered to insure accessibility. You might also want to consider making sure that there is space underneath the sink so that there is room to maneuver a wheelchair.

Bath mats
If the bathroom has a bathtub, then make sure you have a floor length mat with a non-slip backing so it will adhere to the floor to prevent the disabled person from tripping over the mat.

Outlets
Arrange the furniture in the room so outlets are easily accessible.

Lighting
Make sure your lamps are touchable or react to sound so that the person with the disAbility can turn lights on and off when no one is around to help them.

Phones
Make sure the phone is cordless so the individual can carry it around with them and answer a call when the phone rings.

Kitchenware
You can buy silverware with Styrofoam that makes it easier for someone with a disAbility to hold the utensil and use it while eating.

Door handles
Use handles as opposed to knobs so the individual with a disAbility can open and close doors by themselves without assistance. When buying a refrigerator make sure the handle is either on the left or right hand side depending on the needs of the individual.

Doors and walkways
When adapting the home for a wheelchair make sure the doors open wide enough for the wheelchair to go through and halls are uncluttered.

For the deaf
When adapting the home to someone who is deaf make sure you will have a TTD — teletype device so the individual can make phone calls for themselves.

Doorbells
Connect the doorbell to the lights so they will flash when a phone call comes in or when someone rings the doorbell for someone who is deaf.

Showers
When adapting a shower you should consider installing a shower seat so that someone who is unable to stand can shower while sitting. If the person uses a wheelchair you will need a transfer board so they can transfer themselves to the seat without assistance. Another option for a person using a wheelchair is to have a shower that they can roll their wheelchair into. You may also want to consider having a shower head with a wand, that way it can be lowered so that it is more accessible for a person who needs to shower while seated.

These are just a few things to consider when adapting a home to meet the needs of someone with a disAbility. Above all, make sure to ask individuals with a disAbility what their needs are to adjust the home for them.

The Benefits of Owning a Wheelchair Van

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Even though wheelchair-accessible minivans can offer greater independence, many wheelchair users are afraid to switch from their car to a mobility vehicle. For some, a car is more fun and the idea of driving a minivan is not all that appealing. Cars also offer a bit of a challenge and are generally less expensive than wheelchair vans, so there is often hesitation to make the change.

Unfortunately, wheelchair users and their caretakers usually have to deal with the hassles of transfers and chair loading when they use a car to get around. This can cause back or shoulder pain for those having to make the transfer and after a while, this can be quite physically taxing.

For those dealing with these daily struggles or those who want to prevent them, switching to a wheelchair-accessible van becomes an easy choice. Take a look at the following benefits and see why you might want to buy a wheelchair van.

Reduced Pain and Fatigue
When a car is the main vehicle used to transport someone in a wheelchair, pain and fatigue can be a serious problem caused by frequent seat transfers. It’s hard to get close enough to a car to make a smooth transfer and if the height of the car seat doesn’t match that of the wheelchair, it can put a lot of stress on the shoulders, back and neck. What could result is joint and muscle pain and eventually arthritis and tendinitis. If getting into your vehicle is too much work or too painful, you might give up doing the things you love to do after a while.

Fortunately, a wheelchair-accessible van can give you your freedom back so you can do all of your favorite things. Because a wheelchair van uses a ramp for entry, there are no transfers from outside of the vehicle and you don’t have to separately load your chair. Once inside the vehicle, the transfer from your wheelchair to the driver or passenger position is much easier since you can pull right up to the seat. Plus, some wheelchair vans even let you drive or sit in the front from your wheelchair, completely removing any need to transfer.

Greater Freedom and Independence
While many people may argue driving a minivan isn’t the “coolest” thing you can do, sometimes other things are more important than image. A mobility van may not always be sporty, fun or stylish, but it offers maximum freedom and independence. Actually getting where you need to go without too much assistance or a physical struggle is more important than how you are able to do it.

Helpful Financing Options
A converted van will most likely cost several thousand dollars more than a standard car, as the conversion price plus higher fuel and insurance costs increase your total spend. While this might deter many people from making the switch to a van, it’s important to consider what you get for the price – greater health, happiness and overall well-being.

Even though a wheelchair-accessible van may seem out of reach, there are programs available that can help you pay for a mobility vehicle. Government programs like Worker’s Compensation, Medicaid Waivers, Vocational Rehabilitation and those with the VA may all be able to help with funding. There are also charities or nonprofits that may be able to help provide fund raising opportunities and some banks or Independent Living Centers offer extended loans or lower interest rates. Used vehicles are an option as well, as many dealers sell old rental vans after a year of use.

People will always have a reason to avoid buying a mobility van, but it might be worth serious consideration. Think about your quality of life and whether easier mobility may improve it. If so, it might be time to make the change.