Bump, Thud, Bang, Bang, Bang!

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18

I know that this passage isn't talking about this, but "fall from your own stedfastness" seemed to apply to my dad last night. Around 2 a.m., I heard bump, thud, bang, bang, bang! I knew my dad had fallen and needed our help. I should have woken up my husband the second I heard it, but waited until the last minute just to make sure.

 I was really proud of my dad for banging in the bathroom until I heard him. Since my dad's feeble, I'm concerned that he might not be able to call out my name, should he get hurt. I've told him that he should bang his walker into the wall, hit something with his cane, or whatever it takes to let us know he needs us. Previously, he hasn't done this, but I continue to suggest it periodically.

Last night, he really needed our help. He was lying across the toilet and over the side of the tub. His head was suspended over the middle of the bathtub and I think he was holding onto the shower bench to hold himself up. Boy was he ever shaken up! We were fortunate that he didn't have any major injuries, although he said his spine hurt some. He said it was not enough to go to the doctors. He's reluctant to tell us when it is serious enough to the doctors so I may notify his Home Health Nurse to come check him out, just in case. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Helping Seniors Get Up From Falls-Senior Care Corner Family Caregiver Video Tips
By: Senior Care Corner via You Tube

When You Find More Than You Were Hoping For

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him. If thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 

I am blessed to find the Lord in so many aspects of my life, even when I find more than I was hoping for. Sometimes, my dad is unaware that he's had a bowel movement, and you get a whiff of it. It's not necessarily fun finding a surprise package, when you change him, but to my dad it is a blessing, because he gets constipated often.

When he's constipated, he doesn't want to eat, because his stomach feels full and uncomfortable. This can have a potentially negative effect on him, since he weighs so little. So, even though I'm not personally tickled with finding "pay dirt" in his disposable undergarments, I am pleased that he's not feeling bound up, inside.

I do have to admit that it's a little embarrassing when this has happened several times and he's unaware of it and the Home Health Aide was the one finding his deposit. She has handled it with grace, but I still feel badly for her. We are trying to work out a pattern where we put new disposable undergarments on before she comes, so I can better ensure she doesn't run into any surprises. I feel blessed to have my dad here with me, pay dirt included. But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him. If thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: The Best Fiber for Seniors: Fresh Kitchen
By: Teresa Howes, ehowhealth via You Tube

The Monitor

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Acts 28:28

Since my dad is a fall risk and has breathing problems at times, I wasn't certain how I would know if he needed my assistance. God had the idea pop in my mind, which is often how Christ works in my life, to use the baby monitor that I used to use for my grandchildren.

It worked perfectly, well kinda. It's important to remember to turn it on. Sometimes, I've forgotten only to wake up in the night and remember to turn it on. (That's God at work again!) Sometimes, I've heard it too loud and hear every little sound which sounded significant when they weren't, thus disturbing my dad's sleep to make sure he's O.K. It takes a while to get it down, but it happens.

Having the monitor has allowed me to hear when he's fallen several times. It's especially important, because Dad won't call me to let me know he's fallen. I think it's kind of embarrassing for him when he falls. I feel very blessed to have my dad with us for whatever time that God allows and having the monitor makes it a little easier to come when my dad needs my assistance.  Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Acts 28:28

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: Fall Prevention Exercises: Bethany HomeHealth and Best for Seniors
By: Bethany HHA via You Tube

Couple Time while Caregiving

Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 

Prior to my dad coming here, my husband and I used to go out to eat once or twice a week. We used to go to the movies every week or so at our Senior-Friendly theater, $3.25 a ticket. We didn't like leaving my dad home alone while we left to go to the movies, so those went by the wayside.

When he first came here, he was more ambulatory and could go with us to eat, although we only went on occasion. When he couldn't walk as far, it became difficult, but not impossible to take him in his wheelchair.

We applied for an aluminum transport chair, because it would allow me to take my dad to doctor's visits when my husband wasn't available to come and lift the wheelchair out of the trunk. The transport chair allows the three of us to go out to eat more frequently.

My dad had some bouts where he was more frail and we didn't like to leave him longer than to go to church. Very thankful for the Physical Therapy session that Medicare provides, my dad has regained some of his strength and we feel more comfortable to leave for longer periods of time.

We have started going back to the movies, when we find something we are interested in seeing. Additionally, my husband and I have started walking daily. Not only does it strengthen our bodies, but it strengthens our relationship, which is vitally important when you are providing care for a loved one.  Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.


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