Spice of Life! – Page 23 – A khatta-meetha take on life around me through my presbiopic eyes!

17/04/201901/09/2020

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!

16/04/201901/09/2020

N is Nursing

See you tomorrow folks.
Stay happy!

15/04/201901/09/2020

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!

13/04/201901/09/2020

L for Let Go

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.

Let Go

This post may end up being philosophical.. Now that we have become care givers for our elders, its important to accept this responsibility and not complain about it. Setting aside ego, grudges and discontent will go a long way in helping our ‘wards’ and helping ourselves too. Letting go of such mental baggage has made it easier for me to accept the circumstances and get on with the task at hand.

Mind you, its not easy. Begin with something small or easy. Small wins at a time.

Have you had to had to let go as part of care giving?

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.

And my sketch for the day is inspired by these glorious birds that I see very often on my morning walks on the tekdi. Usually we see one or two Peacocks perched on the tree.

See you tomorrow folks.
Stay happy!

12/04/201901/09/2020

K is Klondike and others

Already reached Level 6 in Klondike and Level 8 in TriPeaks.. Yay!!!

There are other simple games that one can play on their tablets/PC/Laptop or phones. Example Lumosity, Candy Crush, Angry Birds … Disclaimer – I have no vested interests in recommending these Apps. I have enjoyed playing them.

For care givers it can be a fun diversion and elders enjoy these games as well. It can help with small movements of the hand, eye hand coordination, mental agility. There is tremendous joy in ‘winning’ or completing a level!

Dont go by what I say. Try for yourself. Today!

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 today..

See you tomorrow folks!

Stay happy!

11/04/201901/09/2020

J is Justify

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.

Justify
As care givers, our actions are often under that scanner and folks around us are always ready to tell us how to do something. While I have appreciated all such suggestions, no one can understand the compulsions faced by the caregiver. The aim is to make sure their ‘ward’ is being taken care of properly and is happy and healthy (to the extent possible under the circumstances). I have never tried to explain my actions to anyone. I am answerable to my conscience – and its a pretty hard task master I must say !!

There will be times when we feel dejected, and then there is no option but to just put our heads down and get on with the job. Do some mundane repetitive tasks. These will not only tire physically, help clean up the home and also calms the mind! example – cleaning cupboards, wiping windows, folding clothes and so on…
Just.
Do.
It.

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 for the day…

This has been inspired by an advertisement in the newspaper shown below

See you tomorrow folks!
Stay happy!

11/04/201901/09/2020

Twins (ThursdayTreeLove)

I spotted these trees recently. All efforts to take a ‘solo’ photo of them failed as it was a very busy road and vehicles simply couldnt be kept out of the frame.
Going closer meant losing some part of the tree.

The twins look magnificent don’t you think??

So here is the Baobab that is called Adansonia digitata and belongs the Bombacaeae family. It is native to Africa and has been introduced to India hundreds of years ago. In fact, it seems to be quite happy here considering that it flowers and fruits happily. It can be easily identified by its palmate leaves and its huge trunk. The trunk is said to store water. In the above photo, the white flowers are of the Plumeria though the Baobab also bears white flowers.

I have seen this species at four other places in Pune and this was a new find for me! This is also my third Baobab post on my blog!

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

10/04/201901/09/2020

I is Innoculation, Insurance

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.

Innoculation
Do I see your surprise at this word? Let me explain.
It may so happen, that our ‘wards’ may be silent carriers of some infections for example Hepatitis B. They have never suffered any symptoms hence is never diagnosed. Diagnosis can be only when specific tests are carried out.
Hence its a good idea to stay updated with immunisation programs. Get booster shots if necessary. Keep your own immunity high by choosing healthy food and regular exercise (to the extent possible amid your commitments).

Insurance
This is very important as medical bills can be huge drain. Its vital to keep the insurance documents updated. Find out which hospitals honour the health insurance policy that your ‘ward’ holds. Also find out which conditions are covered under that policy and which conditions/services are excluded.

Check if the cashless treatment facility is available. If not, what is the procedure to claim the amount later, which documents need to be submitted, time frame to receive your claim etc. If your ward does not have any medical cover, then the hospital bills will have to be paid upfront.

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!

09/04/201901/09/2020

H is Helper

This can be for either only during day hours or for 24 hours. In some instances, the wards need help with outside jobs like going to the post, bank, library, writing letters (yes some elders still do write with a pen!) and so on. In that case, help is needed only for a few hours. Then my city has the option of getting help from needy students under a ‘Earn and Learn’ project. The student comes home for a couple of hours and helps out with such tasks for a small remuneration.

Here are some providers:
DISCLAIMER: I have no vested interest in any of these. Some were recommended to me, some I have found via Google search.
Elder Care
Nightingales
MayaCare
Portea

Full time helpers can be costly but they are a huge help to us care givers.

Obviously whether our wards are staying independently or in our homes, there is a security issue. Its a good idea to get helpers from a known, reputed Bureau and also get a police verification. Pune Police has a dedicated cell for senior citizens.

Here is a peculiar situation I have seen..
I know of an over 90-year old lady with many maladies associated with that age. Her son is past 70 years of age and also suffers from some heart issues. Possibly he too needs some care. He too must be living off his pension. The grandchildren must be in their late 40s and in critical stages of their own lives. In this case, on whom does the onus of care for the 90-year fall?

Where does the buck stop?

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.

Sketch for today..

See you tomorrow folks. Stay happy!

08/04/201901/09/2020

G is Guilt

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.

Guilt.
According to the Collins Dictionary, it means “..an unhappy feeling because you have done something wrong or think you have done something wrong.”

Seeing our wards in physical or mental pain, discomfort, confusion there is a feeling of helplessness. After my father passed away, more than once, I have felt that I could have done something more despite a sane assessment telling me otherwise. Should I have consulted more doctors? Should I have been more firm about them following doctor’s advice? Should I have not gone on the business tour? Had I ignored some complaints?….This an umpteen other doubts.

I have consulted with an expert. As long as one is doing their duty sincerely and with a clear conscious there is nothing to feel guilty. Its ok to want to take time out for yourself, go to the beauty salon as long as our ward is being taken care of.

This definitely is not shirking responsibility.

Little ‘breaks’ serve to keep care givers motivated to better look after our wards.

Bottom line, there is nothing to feel Guilty about.

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.

This sketch will surely cheer you up! Inspired by images found via Google search

See you tomorrow folks!
Stay happy!