Author: David Caldwell

Caregiver Advice

National Carers Week 2017 – Looking after the carer

National Carers Week 2017 Monday 12th June – Sunday 18th June 

National Carers Week 2017 – What is it? 

Celebrating its 11th year, National Carers Week takes place this week from Monday 12th – Sunday 18th June. National Carers Week aims to highlight and recognise all the hard-working carers in Ireland. This is a great time to raise awareness of the valuable contribution that carers make to all of our lives. The week is being coordinated by Care Alliance Ireland, in partnership with The Alzheimer Society, The Irish Cancer Society, Family Carers Ireland, The Disability Federation of Ireland, MS Ireland, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, St. Michael’s House, The Irish Hospice Foundation and The Special Needs Parents Association.

Myhomecare

To celebrate National Carers Week, we would like to thank and praise our dedicated carers in Myhomecare. At Myhomecare, we have an exceptional team that works with us both internally and externally. They are dedicated, hard working, reliable and willing to go above and beyond to ensure that our care recipients and families receive the best quality of care. Special events are taking place nationwide to celebrate carers. For the full list of events across Ireland, please visit: http://www.carersweek.ie/events#.WT_p12jyuM8. 

Being a Carer

We would also like to acknowledge all carers across Ireland for their continuous hard-work. This week should encourage others to support carers who they know and give them the well-deserved break that they deserve. National Carers Week is important as many people throughout Ireland can relate to it. From the carers that have chosen it as a career, to the people that provide care for family members and loved-ones. You could say that caring applies to almost everyone as there are those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. There are around 360,000 family carers in Ireland at present.

As people are living longer, the call for care is increasing, resulting in the expansion of the care industry. Carers are seeking more respite services and support. What is a carer? Some might say that a carer is an angel without wings. A carer is many things. It is someone who can show empathy, respect, patience and kindness. A carer treats a person the way that they deserve to be treated. Due to their dedication, some carers might experience guilt if they do things for themselves so they end up focusing solely on the patient and neglecting their own needs, resulting in burnout or stress. The exhaustion from this stress can result in the reduction in the quality of care being delivered by the carer. As you cannot pour from an empty vessel, a good carer knows that to be able to care for others, they must also care for themselves.

Stress and the carer 

Being a carer can be demanding and being under pressure can lead to stress, especially if you feel you have little control over the situation. People handle pressure and react to stress in different ways so what might be stressful to one carer might not be to another. There are many symptoms of stress and stress can affect the way you think, act and feel. It can also have physical impacts. Here are some signs that you may be stressed.

Symptoms of stress:

  • Depression
  • Exhaustion
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Constantly worrying
  • Insomnia
  • High blood pressure
  • Low-mood
  • Racing thoughts
  • Repeatedly going over things
  • Constantly on the go
  • Change in eating habits
  • Temper
  • Unsociable
  • Drinking/smoking more
  • Headaches
  • Muscle tension

Coping with your stress 

Above are only some signs and symptoms of stress, it is important that if you feel you are experiencing signs of stress that you identify it right away and use techniques that help you DE-stress. If you are experiencing long-term stress that is affecting your health you should visit your local GP immediately. A lot of people are unwilling to ask for help when feeling stressed, but asking for help or talking to someone can help. If your stress is affecting your daily life it is important to talk to someone, whether it be a friend, a family member or a counsellor. Talking to someone else can help to relieve stress and if you ask for advice you could find yourself resolving  your problems.

Tips for reducing stress

  • Deep-breathing – practice relaxation.
  • Listening to music -music can release endorphin’s and happy hormones, reducing stress.
  • Reading – distracts the brain form stress.
  • Walking –  releases endorphin’s and reduces depression.
  • Reduce caffeine intake as it can worsen stress.
  • Reduce alcohol intake – alcohol is a depressant and can reduce stress in the short-term but in the long-run can cause anxiety, depression and stress.
  • Exercising – boosts mood.
  • Getting enough sleep – sleep deprivation can have many emotional side affects such as irritability, loss in concentration. It can also have serious health complications such as heart disease and stroke.
  • Remain positive – don’t focus on the negative, life is too short.
  • Laugh! Life isn’t about waiting for the bad moments to pass, it is about learning how to love and live in them.

Reward yourself 

  1. Care-giving is a job and remember that in a job you are entitled to breaks. Take a rest when rest is due. Tiring yourself out will only make you irritable, affect your health and the quality of your care.
  2. When people offer you their help – accept it. Help might not come by that often and instead of feeling that you must do everything in your power for your patient, accept that you deserve a break and that people genuinely might want to help.
  3. Grieve but allow yourself to move on. Losing a patient or a loved-one is never easy. Try not to hold on to the past or to have regrets. Focus on the present and do the best that you can as a caregiver.
  4. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver. Learn your patients condition inside out and explain this to doctors. Don’t underestimate yourself, know that your efforts to love and make your patient feel comfortable and safe is the most important thing. Go with your gut instinct and fight for what you believe you and your patient are entitled to.
  5. Embrace your care-giving choice: Sometimes carers can feel resentment from stress or burnout but remember why you have made the choice to provide care and focus on this. It was either that you felt you would be the best provider for your loved-one, that you love looking after people, you want to nurture and care for people and have an impact on the welfare of their life.
  6. Don’t let care-giving take over your whole life. Get some hobbies, take up something you have always had an interest in. It is important not to lose who you are as a person.

Caregiver Tips

To keep up to date with our content for National Carers Week 2017, visit our Facebook Healthcare Page here: https://www.facebook.com/myhomecare/

 

Fundraising & Homecare Awards

Myhomecare proudly sponsoring the ‘Cycle for Brother Kevin 2017’

Myhomecare sponsoring Cycle for Brother Kevin 19th & 20th May 2017

Brother Kevin Crowley and Ross Murphy at the Cycle for Brother Kevin at The Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, getting ready to head off on the cycle. 

Cycle for Brother Kevin is a charity cycle event which was established in 2010 by Fergal Flynn and Paul Kelly, close friends and cycling enthusiasts. The purpose of the cycle is to raise funds for the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless in Dublin.

Myhomecare staff Sammy Myles and Jennifer Larkin from the Dundalk office on LMFM talking about Cycle for Brother Kevin and homelessness. 

Inspired by the work of St Francis of Assisi, The Capuchin Day Centre is a food and day care facility for the homeless, run by the Irish Capuchin Franciscan Order. Starting off in the 1960’s, supplying soup and sandwiches to around 50 people in need, the centre has grown tremendously and is now the biggest food centre in Dublin, catering for over 200 men, women and children each day for breakfast and over 450 men, women and children for dinner. The centre provide food parcels and essential facilities such as clothing, personal hygiene and medical services such as appointments with doctors, nurses, dentists, opticians and chiropodists. They also provide personal and social needs such as friendship and advocacy.

7 years established, the cycle started off with only 6 participants but has since expanded and is limited to 100 cyclists. A total distance of 300km, the cycle departed from Bow Street, Dublin, on Friday 19th May at 7am and arrived in Bellmullet, Mayo, at approximately 6pm on Saturday 20th. The event took place over a period of two days, stopping overnight in Leitrim.

Myhomecare, appreciative of the good work carried out by The Capuchin Day Centre, supported the cycle. Myhomecare CEO, Declan Murphy, took part in the cycle in 2016, cycling a total of after completing the 350km. A total of about €100,000 was raised last year. This year Declans son Ross participated in the cycle .

On Friday 28th April, Myhomecare offices in Dundalk and Cork held 8 hour Charity Spinathons in aid of Cycle for Brother Kevin and The Capuchin Day Centre. Myhomecare offices in Galway ran a Health Screening in Homecare Medical Supplies office in Mayo. Dublin offices will hold a charity event near the end of June. So far we have raised €700. Our fundraising page is still open for anyone who would like to donate: www.ifundraise.ie/myhomecare.

‘Servisource/myhomecare Dundalk in Spinathon for Cycle for Brother Kevin’

Health & Nutrition Advice

New Study shows that Vitamin D aids in the Prevention of Cold and Flu. Are you getting your daily intake?

Vitamin D and prevention of Cold and Flu 

Vitamin D preventing against colds and flu?

According to a new study carried out by Queen Mary University of London has found that not only is Vitamin D vital for bone and muscle health, the intake of Vitamin D aids against acute respiratory infections including bronchitis, pneumonia asthma attacks and cold & flu. The study examined 11,000 people in clinical trials throughout 14 countries such as The US, The UK and Australia. The study concluded with some conflicting results as the Vitamin D supplements worked in some but not in others. The strongest protective effects were in those who had the lowest levels of Vitamin D.

The recommended Amount

Where can you get Vitamin D?

The body naturally produces Vitamin D when exposed to the sun. For the recommended amount of Vitamin D, the bare skin has to be exposed to the sun for roughly at least 20 minutes. It can also be found naturally in foods such as oily fish and eggs and in fortified in foods such as cereals.

Vitamin D in Ireland

Colds and Flu are most common in winter and spring when levels of Vitamin D are at their lowest and because of our northern latitude there is not enough sunlight between November and March to produce the recommended amount of Vitamin D in Ireland. Unfortunately our diet habits inhibit us to receive enough Vitamin D through food therefore supplements are recommended.

Who is at risk?

Young children under 5 years of age.

Pregnant or breast feeding women require Vitamin D for growth.

People with very little exposure to sunlight.

People with dark(er) skin are at risk as they have more difficulty in absorbing Vitamin D than light skinned people.

Those with some chronic illness such as Crohns Disease would have more difficulty absorbing Vitamin D.

Elderly people have thinner skin and thus are less capable of producing Vitamin D.

Vegans (diet without fish, eggs etc.)

Symptoms

Aches, pains.

Difficulty standing, climbing stairs.

Bone pains in ribs, feet, hips, thighs and pelvis.

Osteoporosis.

Table of daily amounts of Vitamin D

For more information on Vitamin D visit: http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/V/Vitamins,-minerals-and-supplements/VitaminD.html

Career Advice

Banish Interviews Nerves and Bag Yourself That Job!

Tips for that all important interview!

Interview Nerves?

Don’t sweat it. Here are some tips to get you prepared!

You have gotten that e-mail you have been waiting for and have been called for an interview. You have oodles of experience and know you would be terrific for the job but are worried about interview nerves kicking in. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Most people dread the thoughts of interviews but if you prepare for them in advance and have the right attitude then they can be a LOT less daunting.

Try to remember that you are not alone. People attend interviews every day! It is a normal process of career life. Not only are employees nervous about their performance in interviews, employers can be too. For instance, let’s say that you applied for your dream job and are attending an important interview for an important company, chances are, the employer is under pressure too and feeling nervous about carrying out a professional interview.

Sell yourself. Know yourself, your personality, strengths, skills and experience. Understand why you are suited to the job and how you could benefit the company. If you are having trouble, take the time to sit down with a family member or a friend and ask them to help you clarify your personality or strengths. Once you have these nailed and prepared, you will be more confident in an interview situation.

Research. Research the company! Nobody wants to be asked a question about the company by their interviewer and not know the answer. It looks lazy, unprofessional and makes the interviewee look disinterested. Become familiar with what they do, who works there and be comfortable with their ethos and aims.

Prepare. Preparation is KEY for interview scenarios. Know your CV and prepare for any questions the interviewer may ask about your CV, such as education or previous work experience related to the job in question. You want the conversation to flows naturally and you don’t want to get tongue-tied! Think outside the box!!! Look up questions that interviewers may ask that are used to catch candidates off guard to test their creative abilities.

Act Confident. If you are not naturally confident make the interviewer think that you are. Shaking hands, making eye contact, sitting up straight and smiling are all positive forms of body language that will go a long way in an interview process. Staring and serial-killing smiling is not necessary! Just relax and be yourself! You are in the hot seat because your interviewer thinks that you are suited for the job.

Control yourself. Try to remember to take deep breaths and don’t rush, your heart might be racing but try to not speak too quickly. Remember that it is normal to feel nervous and some nerves are good!

Ask questions. It is important for the interviewee to ask questions and be interested in the answers that they receive. The interviewer will see that you are genuine, keen and passionate about the job.

Listen. A million thoughts might be running through your head or you might be mentally skipping ahead to your next thought out answer but listen to your interviewer. Information about the role might be discussed in the interview that might not have been specified in the job advertisement.

Remember: Even if the interview does not go to plan, it is over and done with, it is a learning curve and an experience and there are plenty of other opportunities out there.