New "Free" Class Starting: A Matter of Balance

Winter is here to stay and along with it came the inevitable snow and ice.  This can put a huge damper on anyone’s social life, leaving many pf us with the “winter blues.”  Many times we are unable to safely go places, and are hesitant to leave home due to the possibility of an accident or falling.  Soon spring will come and we will get back to not thinking twice about stepping out the door.  For some people though (this may be you or likely someone you know) that fear of leaving the house never goes away due to a lingering concern of having an accident, falling, and feeling helpless.  Agape Therapy offers a class called A Matter of Balance to help individuals with those very real and burdening fears of falling.  If you are: concerned about falls, have sustained a fall in the past, restrict activities because of concerns about falling, are interested in improving your flexibility, balance, and strength, and are age 60 or older ambulatory and able to problem-solve this class is for you.  A new session will be beginning Feb. 7^th 2012 at the Cedar Falls Agape Therapy and will be provided free thanks to the Wellmark Foundation.  For more information and to sign up please call 277-3166.

Organization and Balance As A Wife, Mom, and Physical Therapist

By Suzy, PT
                                          

I  am blessed to be able to work half days at Agape Therapy.  This allows  me to have more time at home with my two young children.  It also means  that if I don't stay organized, life can get a little out of control  quite quickly.  Even though my schedule at work is consistent, other  activities aren't always that way.  

The  best way I've found to stay on top of things is to use my iPhone and  it's apps to keep track of things for me.  In this day and age it seems one can't go anywhere without the silly phone.  (At least, that's the theory....  sometimes it is out of earshot and I miss a call or text, much to my husband's chagrin!  Oops!)  Since the phone is my closest sidekick, I make it work for me.  I use iCal to keep track of  the schedule.  I have a Groceries app that I make a list in when I think  of things or use things up that syncs with my husband's phone so we can  attack Wal-Mart in half the time it used to take.  I use Reminders app  for things that come up in the midst of something else, or for things I  want to remember to do at a certain time as the phone will alert me.  

Being organized also allows for life to be more balanced.  With all of the different responsibilities I have, it's easy for one thing to take over my focus.  I have to remind myself (this time without my phone doing the work) to be in the moment where I am as much as possible.  When I am at work, I need to focus on work knowing that my kids are being well taken care of by our daycare provider and that my husband is doing his job at his work.  When I am at home with my kiddos, I need to focus on them to meet their needs and keep the household going.  When my husband gets home from work, I need to facilitate family time.  There are definitely things I need to work on to continue to work on balance in my life.  By the end of the day I'm tired, but I want to work on focusing on time alone with my hubby.  I also need to work in some time to focus on me.  I'll have to put in an appointment in my phone.   :)  I guess I'll make these two things my New Year's Resolution....    Though at times juggling all of these things gets a little overwhelming, I'm am SO thankful that God has placed the blessing of a husband, 2 great kiddos, and a job  in my life!

Caregiving Can Be Tough

By Linda, OT

     Earlier this year the Alzheimer's Association released information that there are approzimately 15 million unpaid caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's Disease and other age related dementias in the United States...an increase of 37% more than reported last eyar.  Loosely speaking, a caregiver is anyone who provides help and assistance to someone who is incapacitated in any way in tasks needed to peform activites needed to carry out their daily lives.  The list of possibilities is huge, buy may include:

• dressing
• bathing, hygiene, toileting
• medication management
• meal preparation and managing special diets
• eating managing finances
• mobility
• keeping track of and providing transportation to needed appointments
• access to  areas of the home and keeping the home environment safe for the loved ones

                             
     While care giving can be rewarding, it can also be a great source of stress on teh caregiver and the entire family.  The American Occupational Therapy Association supports the campaign "Aging in Place" to enable to assist a loved one to continue to live in their home of choice.  Tips for caregivers:

• join a local or online support group.
• recruit assistance from other family members and trusted friends.
• Try to find ways to take a break.
• Try to  maintain a regular routine of when daily lviing activities, such as bathing and mealtime are performed.
• Take care of your back.  Caregivers may do a lot of lifting.
• Don't expect too much. Keep tasks and instruction simple.
• Watch for signs of depression and burnout.  Don't be afraid to seek help for this.
• Educate yourself about your loved one's specific condition so you can communicate with their physican.
• Contact agencies such as the local Area Agency on Aging or Alzheimer's association to see if they can direct you to community resources.
• Consider seeking a referral from the physician for an occupational therapist to provide low cost recommendation's for home modificationand adaptive equipment to make your job easier an your loved one's environment safer.  A physical therpaist can determine and provide education regarding the safest mode of mobility.
• Remember....YOU ARE VALUABLE!