Author: Archana

Once a Physiotherapist now a Wordsmith. Field Botanist. Bonsai. Proud Indian. Fauji Wife. Doting Mother and Mother-in-law. Devoted Grandmother. Reluctant Cook. Happiest on a road less travelled. Enjoying the middle ages!
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Heavenly (ThursdayTreeLove)

Travel, Trees, Pear, Blossoms

“Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven”
                             …Rabindranath Tagore



These Pear trees were in full bloom in Thimpu and I clicked these images at the Folk History Museum. If you are still gasping at their beauty, then here is a close up of the flowers! 
Thimpu, Bhutan, Sakura
Pear belongs to the Rose family (Rosaceae) and belongs to the Pyrus genus. 

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

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U is Unique

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting. 


Unique
As you would have noticed, I have repeatedly said, “every family has to find something that suits them best.”
Which means a Unique solution.


I have tried to bring out various aspects that care givers have to deal with and some methods to deal with them. What is suitable for me may not work for others and visa versa.
We meet many people who love to advise us on what should be done to look after our wards. Often these are just empty words, never backed with concrete support or facts. This sounds harsh but is true. 


I know of a very old couple who is happily living in a centre for assisted ageing. Another who has chosen to stay in their own home with several helpers. Another lady has chosen to spend 3 months alternately with her daughters while another gentleman is staying alone. One lady has moved to a new home closer to that of her daughter so that the daughter does not need to commute to look after her mother’s needs.

The immediate families of each are comfortable with their own set up as it works for them. The wards and caregivers are both happy to the extent possible. 


Each family has created their own Unique solution.


Ageing is not easy. We have to make the best of the situation so that everyone is happy and comfortable.

However, as I said before…
There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.


Today’s sketch is of a vase lying on the mantle.

See you tomorrow folks with the V post!
Stay happy!
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T is Technology

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting. 


Technology
Taking care of elders irrespective of whether they are bed ridden or not, can be challenging. Besides health, we have to sort out financial and other aspects as well. Living in the 21st century, has its benefits… Yes, I am referring to technology.. It has become cheap and easy to access and use and its in our interest to make full use of technology to better look after our wards. For entertainment. 


Some of the points I cover here may be a repeat from an earlier post about Bills so please bear with me. I shall not repeat those.
Gadgets like Baby Monitors can be used to keep an eye on seniors also. I would suggest using those especially for those living in big homes. This gives care givers to move away and around the house and garden without worrying about their wards.


Technology for entertainment is the most obvious use. Inability to venture out means having to bring entertainment home. This is now easily possible in the form of games, streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video and so on. Choose one or all depending on what you and your wards enjoy. Its a big boon and i say this from experience.


Besides this, different types of home use health gadgets are available e.g. BP monitors, glucometers and so on. Its a good idea to get these, learn how to use them and report findings to the doctors as advised.  


Technology has radicalised communication especially with Video calls either on Whats App or Google Hangouts or Skype. There are so many options for messaging and in regional languages too. So staying in touch is much easier.


Its up to use the make the best use of technology to improve the quality of lives of our wards and improve our own work efficiency. Research is important to help choose the best to suit our needs and pocket!

However, as I said before…
There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.


My sketch for the day ..Two actually.. these were my among my first attempts..



How do you use technology to better look after of elders, seniors in your care? 


Almost at the end of this AtoZ. How has it treated you? 
See you tomorrow folks.
Stay happy!

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S is Share

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting. 

Share
Being care givers means having to take umpteen decisions (about medications, therapy, finances, diet choices etc etc) for our wards. In addition to the stress and responsibilities of our own lives. This can double our load mentally.


It is vital to share our fears, reservations with a trusted person. It can be in the form of a support group or spouse or sibling or friend. A person whom you know will keep your trust, and not end up convert your thoughts gossip fodder. 
One can also write a diary or blog .. anything to let off the steam.
Group activities can also help share and relieve the loads of our minds.


Whatever the mode, sharing is important. It can also lead to help find solutions to some problem we may face as care givers. 

However, as I said before…
There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.



Here is my sketch …

Art therapy, Pune

See you tomorrow folks!
Stay happy!

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R is Routine

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting. 

Routine
As care givers, there is a whole lot of work waiting to be done (and more…).. and one may cave in under this load – housekeeping, medical followups, bill payments and all this at time has to be of two households. Its easy to miss some important stuff.


My suggestion is to make a strict routine for things to be done. Note it in your diary or simply make a chart and pin  the paper at an easily seen place. It can be a daily schedule or a weekly/monthly one depending on your situation. Make sure to allot time for your own exercise and some relaxation. 
Besides staying up to date with our commitments, it also helps to declutter the mind, and simply prevents unwanted thoughts from entering. Thus helps in managing stress. 


Do you have a routine? 

However, as I said before…
There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.


Today’s sketch is an attempt to draw a bottle from the dressing table!



We reach the end of the third week of the AtoZ!
Have a great weekend folks!
Stay happy!

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Q is Questions

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting. 


Questions
When faced with dependency, chronic medical conditions, mobility issues etc, there are bound to be umpteen questions in our minds. They may be about our wards health/medical condition or about ourselves and how we will manage the situation.


Its better to note down the queries and ask them to the doctors. If the doubts pertain to some legal issues then best ask a lawyer. And so on..


Never hold doubts or try to get an answer by internet search. It may turn out to be the wrong one. 


However, as I said before…
There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.


Today’s is inspired from an image in a magazine.
We have more than half way through the alphabet.
How is the AtoZ treating you?


See you tomorrow folks with the R post.
Stay Happy!

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P is Privacy

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting. 


Privacy
As age increases, mobility issues creep in. Often elders are unable to carry out their basic care for themselves like having a bath, using the toilet, changing clothes, eating and so on. Irrespective of who helps them (we as care givers or professional helpers), these moments can be extremely embarrassing for our wards. It needs great sensitivity and empathy to tide over this phase. 


Similarly, as care givers, we too need to have some privacy and the best way is to have a space which becomes like an oasis to retreat to. It can be our home or any other place where we can be ourselves, unwind, vent our thoughts and clear our minds. This will be the care givers a neutral, happy space, an Oasis as it were to escape to. 
If our wards continue to live in their own homes, then everyone has their own space and privacy. 
Obviously, this may not always be possible. 

However, as I said before…
There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.


My sketch for the day

This has been inspired by a Coir Coaster at my Mum’s place.

Meet you again tomorrow with the S post.
Stay Happy!

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O is Own Surroundings

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting. 

Own Surroundings
When elders are unable to live independently, take care of themselves then arises the most difficult question of whether they should live with their children, in an assisted living facility or by themselves in their own home with some extra help.


I have seen first hand people living in all the above three options. I find that the last one – namely living in their own surroundings, within the four walls (metaphorically speaking) that they have spent so many years in is the best. They have their memories, neighbours, things around them which keeps them connected. Pets if any also make a difference I am told. It also keeps them occupied mentally, as they can stay engaged in supervising the housekeeping, gardening and any other mundane taskes. They have their own TV and favourite channels that they can watch whenever and however long they want. 

However, as I said before…
There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.


My sketch is in line with my word of the day. It is inspired by an embroidered wall hanging..



See you tomorrow with the P post.
Stay happy!

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N is Nursing

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting. 

Nursing


This is a special type of care that family members may not be able to give. Sometimes we may be lucky to get trained helpers but it trained Nurses may be required. This can be the case when the elder may need daily injections, has bed sores or other wounds and so on. Home nursing care is available and care givers should not hesitate to their services so that the elders are properly taken care of. We lack medical training to do such specialised work and its best left to the experts. 


I have found that the hospital staff usually helps find suitable Nurses. 

There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.


My sketch for the day..

See you tomorrow folks.
Stay happy!

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M is Money

Hello and Welcome to my sixth attempt at the AtoZ blogging challenge.
My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting.


Money or Vitamin M
Talking about money can sound materialistic, opportunistic to some but the hard truth is that funds are required for hospitalisation, investigations, physiotherapy, helpers, medications and so on. Having a comprehensive insurance is a big help yet it does not cover several expenses. Example 24×7 Helpers at home, other domestic helpers. 


At times, our ‘wards’ are in a position to bear these costs. 
If not, it falls upon us to pay for the out-of-insurance help and treatment. 
This can stretch our own reserves and we must anticipate and plan for such expenses. 
If you expect to have to help financially, start putting away a small amount even before the actual need arises. Invest in products that allow quick and easy redemption. Taking a loan is also an option in case the situation demands.
I would love to hear your suggestions!
Of course, this does not cover any emergencies.

There is no one size fits all solution. 
Every family has to find something that suits them best. 
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.


My sketch for the day…
Recently, our country rose as one and stayed on tenderhooks till our brave Indian Air Force Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman returned home. Sketching a Mig21 which was his aircraft (and also the one my dear husband has flown) was my first choice but I could not. Instead here is what I found via Google search. I have tried to show the aircraft landing. 

Inspired by an image seen on Shutterstock here

See you tomorrow with my N post.
Stay happy!

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