Maybe all you guys out there, that have either gone through yourselves, or being a caregiver for someone who has...
Can you make a list for me of the things that were done around the house to get ready for the person to come home?
Changes around/to the home, things to make it easier if they have to be by themselves, foods that are easy to prepare - but low in salt, or even just a grocery list of things to have on hand to make low sodium stuff.
Thanks again TONS for letting me post all this stuff that's OT, and the answers and time you're giving us. -Dana
-------------------- Dana Ferry St Cloud, MN Posts: 1556 | From: St Cloud, MN | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
Most of the quick foods we eat are salt loaded...chips, penuts, etc. Ask the doctors or a nutritionalist at the hospital for a list. Another thing that helps...take on the same diet as Bruce will be on for a while. Makes it easier to shop, too.
Preplan and prepare meals the night before. While you're at work, Bruce will know what's available and not have to go digging through the fridge.
Keep it close. The top three things when Bruce gets home will be rest, food and bathroom breaks. Try to set the house up with this in mind. Less stress that way.
Think about keeping ice, water, etc readily availble. Saves on trips to the sink/fridge.
One concern is visitors. A lot of times, it can be too much of a good thing. If it affects Bruce's abilty to get rest or sleep, limit visits a bit. Another thing is that you may feel obligated to "entertain" those guests a bit. You have plenty on your plate and adding being a hostess will just add more stress for you.
Keep the little things handy, too. Books, sketchpads, and the like. Sitting around watching TV all day gets old pretty quick.
You've taken a lot of the resposibilties of a caregiver on almost overnight. If you run into any snags or have questions, please give Celeste a call here.
Ray & Celeste
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
Im sure the information above is plenty to get you started and Im confident Bruce will let you know if there is anything else he needs.
I like the suggestion about hanging the cell phone around his neck, though perhaps maybe it should be around his waist since he does have a gaping hole that was opened in his chest and the cell phone hitting it may hurt a bit.
This is great news bruce coming home
-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
This may sound quite silly - but make sure you have a few rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom, at easy reach. Nothin like running out when there's no one home!
-------------------- Bomba-Dear Jackie Vaughn #5115 Volcano, California www.chocoholic.com Posts: 761 | From: Volcano, California, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Cook a good and healthy meal for him and put supper plates away!
Draw a nice bath for him and wash him all over then towel dry him to know you are there for his needs.. Place him in bed and cuddle up next to him! Now get on top of him...
And "MAKE LOVE FOR THREE HOURS...." Next tell him thats what he gets, for scaring the hell out of you.....
Only Kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Patience and Love" is all you need...
Best wishes from the Deveau family.
[ October 17, 2005, 05:07 PM: Message edited by: Stephen Deveau ]
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
A few of my friends got together when I came home from the hospital (cesaerians) and made meals for the freezer. Bill & I really appreciated that. If anyone asks for suggestions of how they can help, tell them frozen meals (LOW salt etc. should be mentioned) or salads or fruits, things that will store for a couple days. Paper supplies (plates, napkins, cups, etc.) is another one, so you don't HAVE to do dishes for a bit and just enjoy each other's company. Bill had set up a bed/cot for the dining room so I didn't have to go up stairs to bed for a week or so. (I couldn't believe how stairs could be so difficult when I used to run up them!) Just SIT with him and visit. If you are too busy taking care of him you aren't WITH him. The cuddling doesn't sound bad either. You might want to draw the line there though! Tell him we all are thinking of him and to take it easy for a while!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic