iSavta | 04.09.2020

Happy Rosh Hashana fellow Caregivers! 

 

As the Jewish Holidays is fast approaching, we can’t help but list down some of the things for Caregivers to start doing this Jewish new year.

 

Normally, we do New Year’s resolutions before January 1st hits as we celebrate new beginnings with the rest of the world. But, as unique as the Jewish people are, Israel is following the September new year’s celebration wherein a long streak of holidays calls for a celebration, meditation and atonement of one’s soul.

 

With a lot of changes happening in the world today, we thought about listing down some New Year’s resolutions for Caregivers as early as September to initiate a new normal in terms of Caregiving and celebrating a brand new Jewish year.

 

So here are our suggestions of some of the things for Caregivers to start doing:

 

• Clean out the medicine cabinet or drawers. It’s time for inventory this year. You might notice some medications that are not being taken by your patient anymore. These are leftover meds from previous sickness and are no longer necessary. Check out the expiration date and throw away the expired ones. It is also a time to organize your medications and arrange according to its uses.

 

• Record all monetary expenses. This may not be your job as a caregiver but it’s important to keep tab on the household expenses. The immediate family members may actually do all the purchases but if you are given the responsibility to handle money, at least have a record of where the money went. This may help the family in the end to audit their expenditures when it comes to their parent/s.

 

• Keep a record of all the important documents. You may receive letters from banks or insurance or maybe your bills and deliverables. It is important to have this organized in one place for reference. Your patient might need these documents for something.

 

• Have a dedicated calendar for your patient. Record doctor’s appointments and medications given in exact date and time. It will be helpful in the end to track your patient’s reactions to the medications as well as the number of days it was taken. You can also use this calendar to save the patient’s activities and progress especially if he/she is undergoing a series of rehabilitation and medication.

 

• Clean out the food pantry. One of the most important things in Caregiving is to make sure that your patient is eating the right food for them. Food is the number one source of energy and nutrition. It is paramount that the caregiver is aware of the patient’s dos and dont’s when it comes to food type and intake. Get rid of the expired canned goods from your pantry and refrigerator. Replace junks with fresh food and vegetables. This is not just good for your patient but for you as well.

 

• Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Healthy diet is sometimes not enough to reach an optimum level of good health. It is also important for you and your patient to exercise. A 30-min walk is enough to help improve your circulation. Combine it with a healthy meal and positive disposition, you will surely have a wholesome and stress-free  new year.