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Advances in Mental Health

The mental health field used to consist of hiding people away in institutions and in dangerous and cruel treatments that caused pain and sometimes death. Today's mental health care field is very different. Patients are being offered a many faceted approach to their mental health challenges and are being encouraged to pursue psychotherapy as well as medication. Drugs that treat problems like anxiety and depression are constantly becoming more effective and less harmful. Many patients can now handle mental illness while living a full and productive life. I am one of these people, and I want others to better understand the world of mental health and to truly appreciate the great advances that are being made.

 

Advances in Mental Health

Moving Your Elderly Parent Into Your Home? Follow These Steps To Prepare Yourself

28 January 2015
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog

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If your mom or dad are getting up in age, you might not feel comfortable with the idea of them living alone. It's true that falls and other accidents can be more common among the elderly, and there could be other health issues that you're worried about. Nursing homes can be expensive and might not be the ideal place for your loved one, so you might have thought about moving your mom or dad into your home. This can be a wonderful way to spend more time with your parent and ensure that he or she is safe, but it's important to prepare yourself. To do so, consider following these tips.

Take a CNA Class

If you haven't thought about it, it could be a good idea to take CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) classes to ensure that you're ready to take care of your loved one. The average CNA program offered by places like MedStar Academy takes between three and eight weeks, depending on your state and whether you go part or full-time, and you'll learn about things like how to safely transport your loved one, how to perform CPR and more. Taking one of these classes can give you more confidence and can ensure that you give your loved one the best possible care. Plus, you might even find that it's time for a career change once you see how fulfilling this type of work can be.

Elder-Proof Your Home

Next, you will need to elder-proof your home to make sure that it's safe for your mom or dad. Install grab rails and bars in your bathroom, in your parent's bedroom and in any other places where he or she might be likely to fall. Move rugs that might get in the way of your parent's wheelchair or that could cause tripping and falling. Also, move commonly-used items -- like snacks -- to a lower drawer or shelf so that your loved one can reach them. It's also a good idea to invest in a baby monitor so that you can hear your parent when you're in another room or when you're in bed at night.

Talk to Your Parent's Doctor

It's important to sit down and talk to your mom or dad's doctor to get detailed instructions about your loved one's care. Take notes about medication, monitoring (such as blood pressure) and other things that you'll need to do to care for your parent.

Moving your elderly parent into your home can be a smart idea for many reasons. Following these steps will help you ensure that you're prepared for the responsibility.