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It is extremely hard work to maintain the health of an elderly member of the family. Often it is an uphill task and one feels frustrated with the lack of response in terms of the health of the aged member. Even with sheer hard work and dedication, if you manage to turn around the situation, there is always some setback with rise of a new health problem. Most of the elders due to their delicate physical conditions and especially those with mental or physical disabilities are susceptible to minor injuries. It is therefore, very essential for a caregiver to have basic knowledge of treatment for wounds and small injuries to deal with such situations.

The most common injuries are minor cuts and scrapes which may be the results of small accidents. These cuts and bruises may look harmless and at times, the elders may not even realize their existence. Such minor injuries may become quite serious in case of the elderly, if they are not treated in time. All such minor injuries should be cleaned, disinfected and dressed immediately upon happening. These wound should not be left unattended as infection may set in. It may sound ridiculous; after all, it is only a minor cut or scrape we are talking about. However neglecting to treat the wounds, may cause serious problems later on because, the infection takes place faster in case of older people.

Therefore, a caregiver must be extra vigilant and provide first aid to the elders as soon as possible.

The caregiver must attend a basic first aid course in the initial stages. The community colleges offer basic first aid courses that cover the relevant aspects of wound care for the elderly. Some of the course content is usually common sense, but it helps to be imparted practical training by an instructor, so that you can remember it when the need arises. Even if you have taken a first aid course earlier, it is advisable to take a refresher course that is more specific to elder care. These courses will also include training in wound care.

Another important aspect of wound care is ensuring that the individual has been given the preventive shots on schedule. The Tetanus shot is especially important, as tetanus is the most serious infection that can be contracted. A small open wound will help the infection to spread via the bloodstream. Thus, the most important aspect of wound care is prevention of infection.

Wound care is simple enough to learn for any caregiver, and it can be easily managed with a little practice. It is important to be aware of this aspect of elder care, because neglecting it will create problems which may become unmanageable in the future. Timely care of small injuries in the elderly will ensure great dividends in terms of their general well being and health.

I thought we had a contract. I look after you and when the time came for reciprocation, you would look after me. For some, it may appear to be selfish to expect my children to care for me in their homes instead of placing me in a nursing home because of my stroke. The contract, my children’s and mine was formed at their birth. Their precious lives belonged to me. Their fate entrusted with me until they reached maturity and could fend for themselves.

As they grew our dependence on one another was unquestionable, our silent contract now melded together. I looked after them at the most vulnerable times of their lives and at some point I trusted they would do the same for me, their protector, their confidante, loving friend and mother.  Once I began to age and couldn’t fend for myself, my hope was that my children would honor our contract initiated at their birth.

I am now dependent on my children, trusting their judgment and compassion as they now control my life, where I live, what I wear and even my finances. A role reversal of sorts, that has begrudgingly taken place without my input or consent. My mental state, despite the stroke that paralyzed the left side of my body, was left intact without any effect on my speech.

I suffer a deep denial of my plight as I stare down unbelieving at my lifeless left arm and leg unable to move or feel the touch of another human being. I can’t walk and therefore, I am confined to a wheelchair. However, my will to walk, to be back in control of my life still prevails despite the choices my children have made for me.

My life once filled with joy and excitement with the ability to dictate my actions from one minute to the next is now one that is dependent on strangers and family members as I long to have my life back again.  I want to go home.

Most of my days are spent either sitting or lying expressionless in a silent display as I reflect over my life now stifled by consequence. I will tell anyone who will listen.  I want to go home. I pray daily and eagerly solicit prayers from my visitors to ask God to be merciful and restore me back to my prior self. I want to go home.

I suppose the easy thing to do would be to give up, to succumb to this existence. My life now consists of waiting. I wait for time as my life slowly slips from my grasp with each passing sunset and sunrise. I sob deeply and behind the tears is the sadness and the pain as I struggle to comprehend why I have been left in this place.

I’ve had to conform to a way of life that I have never known or thought would ever live. I have asked my children to take me to their homes, can’t we work something out? With each explanation of why it can’t be, their words bitingly remind me and it’s as if they don’t know . . . that we had a contract.

My children seem oblivious to my situation. They are comfortable with their obligatory visits. However, the fact still remains, I want to go home.  For living here for me is not living. My time is spent disconnected and suspended by emptiness which gives one ample time to ponder life as it is and what it was.

So, I wait. I fill the empty moments with memories of days gone by as I slowly come to terms with my plight.  I wish to discuss the terms of this contract, which appears to be binding and for me, one sided. With each passing day I realize that a negotiation is not possible. So, I wait and wish I could go home.

Although, some residents find it hard to come to terms with their disability, their family would serve them well to consider an assisted living facility.  The resident may respond better to an assistant living situation where they are still able to maintain some independence.

Depending on the circumstances, sometimes a nursing home is not the best choice. As caregivers we have to understand how the resident may have to mentally digest the change in their living status from being able to protect their privacy to now having to live in an environment that is more public and structured.

Additionally, some nursing home residents are often apprehensive about having to interact with care givers because they are strangers providing them care. Because some of the personal care nursing home personnel provide at times creates a sense of familiarity which the resident may not be accustomed to receiving from strangers, especially when it’s not by choice.

Further, it’s important that residents are able to maintain their family relationships. If the resident doesn’t feel alone or abandoned, but still part of their family, residents tend to be able to handle living in a nursing home or assisted living facility better.

It’s not easy having a parent living in a nursing home. Sometimes there is a need for emotional support and daily affirmations can be a great pick me up for caregivers when necessary.

It’s not easy having a parent living in a nursing home. Sometimes there is a need for emotional support and daily affirmations can be a great pick me up for caregivers when necessary.  If your loved one is living out of state in a nursing home, traveling to their location shows the importance of staying connected as a family.

I love the start of a new year. It brings to mind that the possibilities are endless, and for many of us, it’s a great time to start something new or different in our lives.

I’d be a rich person if I had a nickel for everyone out there who has decided to open a new in-home care agency, open a professional geriatric care management practice, or start some sort of elder care business. (I get a call or email about this at least 3 times per week consistently!)

What I know for sure is that there is plenty of business to go around. As we live longer, as our parents and grandparents live longer, we create an unlimited opportunity and need for senior related services.

The key is to create an appropriate and realistic business and marketing plan that generates clients and results. The key to the senior market, is not surprisingly, their adult children.

If you have been in the senior market for any amount of time, you know that families often contact senior service providers when they are in crisis due to an acute illness or other event that signals the need for services and support.

So whether you are just starting a new senior/elder care business, or already own one- think about marketing to more than just seniors. Your target audience may be a little younger than you imagine!

Consider some of the other things we have talked about over the last few months:

• Issues related to senior living options, senior care options, and financial issues that affect seniors require education, so educate your prospects.

• Advertising with vanity ads and the “same old thing” is “OUT”, and offering information in the form of a free report, CD, seminar, or consultation is “IN”.

• Directing messages to baby-boomers who HAVE aging parents is key. Finding them is not as easy as buying a “list”.

• Understanding financial options for seniors is a MUST for all senior service providers. It’s impossible to offer good advice to a family if you aren’t up on the latest programs and strategies.

• Networking is possibly the most effective and least costly form of advertising and marketing. You should attend only the networking events that make sense for your business. Pick 2-3 key groups and stick with them. (But try as many as you can, it never hurts to check out a new group!)

• Finally, when you are budgeting for your marketing, budget for consistency and frequency, not the big bang. This market does not work like that.

o The reality is that you must touch a consumer 6-10 times- either through print, radio, or TV, in order to get a response. o Running a radio ad 4 times and pulling the ad because you didn’t get a phone call is not the way to execute a marketing strategy.

o This is a sensitive subject for many (long-term care needs), so in short order you must articulate your message, interrupt your target (ie get their attention), engage them, educate them, and then make an offer.

o Offering something for free- your time, your printed report, your audio CD, etc, will get the most response. Some people like to remain anonymous…so let them, but engage them.

Finally, this is a very good year to live your dream, be an entrepreneur, and serve the greatest generation of all time. Take a realistic, slow but steady and consistent course of action, and you will succeed! We need more senior service providers who really know their stuff. We need senior service providers who are educated, efficient, and trustworthy. Best wishes for continued success in 2008!