Barb's Daily Dose

Probiotics Combat Diarrhea That Results From Antibiotics

Before you read further, let me warn you in advance that some of what I'm discussing here has to do with bodily fluids and diarrhea. If you're a caregiver and have dealt with this, I hope this helps. 

Recently, I was working with a family who's elderly mother had intermittent diarrhea as a result of gall bladder issues and some antibiotics she was taking for an infection.  She wouldn't leave the house for fear of an accident.  Embarrassing, depressing and isolating.

Talking to the Elderly

As I have lived with the elderly, I've become much more interested in how they think. I came across this article from Reuters on how older adults and the elderly are different when it comes  talk therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when treating anxiety and depression.

Your Secret Weapon in Caregiving: BOTT Therapy

In case you're not familiar with BOTT therapy, it's a brand new type of therapy that has been around for centuries, only under a much different name.

BOTT therapy stands for what I and millions of Americans lovingly refer to as:  Biting Of The Tongue Therapy.

After living for the last 6 months with 2 very nice elderly people, I've had to employ this type of therapy repeatedly. Now admittedly, I've lost a lot of blood in the process, but it's a small price to pay for harmony in the household.

A Blessing in Disguise

Today's Guest Writer is Susan Alfano,

Editor of Nurse Barb's Daily Dose

It’s hard to lose a parent when they die.  Old or young – what does it matter – they still brought you into the world and made you who you are. 

For most of us it takes a while to process – it just doesn’t  seem to make any sense.

Cookie Visits the Nursing Home

It was a lovely Saturday afternoon.  I had just finished 3 loads of laundry, done some grocery shopping, put dinner in the crock pot and worked on a lecture. With the mantra to Put my Own Oxygen Mask on First repeating in my head, I got into my workout clothes and headed to the Y for a work out. My husband had our dog, Cookie with him at the nursing home visiting his Dad.  

3 Time-Management Tactics That Can Add Hours to Your Day

Our Featured Guest Writer Today is Paula Spencer Scott, Senior Editor at Caring.com

Caregivers have no shortage of things to do each day. How do you get it all done -- without burning the candle at both ends, so that you sacrifice sleep? You need a battle plan.

Here are some tips from time-management experts that work well for caregivers:

Senior Moments, Elder Tantrums

Would someone please tell me when it was that our parents suddenly turned into toddlers?  Seriously, one minute they are reasonable adults who can make their own decisions and the next, they're having an outburst because you gently reminded them that they might want to use their cane for the 3rd trip that week to a doctor's appointment.  

The Surprising Reason Aging Eyes Need Bright Sunlight

Our Featured Guest Writer Today is Paula Spencer Scott, Senior Editor at Caring.com

Nearly everyone knows that aging eyes need brighter light to read or even see. Now it turns out that bright indoor light, or better yet, bright sunlight, helps the body regulate all kinds of internal mechanisms influencing overall health. Older adults' eyes have a role in things as seemingly-unrelated to them as memory and depression, reports Laurie Tarkan in The New York Times.

6 Best Ways to Beat Chronic Pain

Today's Featured Article is from caring.com, Written by:  Melanie Haiken, Senior Editor

When your body's in pain, it can be all-encompassing, affecting your work, activities, sleep, mood, and even your relationships. And when chronic pain -- whether from arthritis, deep-tissue injuries, or other causes -- goes on for a long time, it can get awfully discouraging. There are solutions out there, though, and reasons to be hopeful. Here are the top six strategies for conquering chronic pain:

Elder Care Consultation

As many of you know, my 94 and 85 year old in-laws, Felix and Edna have moved in with us for the winter. It’s been an on-going adjustment, which in some ways has been like bringing home a new baby. There’s always something new and unexpected that crops up.  I know that many of you are also in the same “sandwich” generation, with teens or 20 somethings at home while also caring for elderly relatives.  I’ve decided to make mine an “Oreo Cookie Sandwich” and have some fun.  You can read about our fun plane ride here.