A Christian Caregiver: December 2017

A Home Physical Therapist Helped Us Learn What to Do

Whoever robs his father of his mother, And says, "It is no transgression," The same is companion to a destroyer. Proverbs 28:24 NKJV

Dad resided in the group home, because the doctor said that he required more medical care than we could provide. We were blessed that this group home was smaller and homey, which allowed for a smooth transition from living in our home to living in the group home.

We wanted to take Dad out of state to visit his cousins. With Dad's Parkinson's Disease, we had an extremely difficult time getting Dad into and out of the car, because his body would become rigid and wouldn't bend to sit in the car seat.

We were very fortunate that Dad's physical therapist that made home visits was kind enough to show us how to be transfers from Dad's wheelchair to the car and back again. I think that practicing this made it easier for my husband and I to feel comfortable in taking Dad on such a long trip. Dad had a wonderful time on the trip seeing the scenery and his family!

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.

These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

Creation: What's It Matter?

How to Know Jesus Is God's Son

Free 2 Share VBS (Free VBS Curriculum)

Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog

Christian Overeaters Past and Present Support Links

Jesus Calls, But Do Your Actions Say You Don't Desire Him?

Caregiving Video: Wheelchair to Car Transfer

By: VCU Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions via You Tube

Relinquishing the Keys to the Car

The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Proverbs 29:15 NKJV

Dad has Macular Degeneration. The doctor told my dad that he could drive safely in the area where we live. Unfortunately, in that Dad has Parkinson's Disease, his legs don't work right, which can be detrimental while driving when you are trying to put on the brakes. To top that off, Dad had moved here a matter of months ago, so any driving he would do near our house was unfamiliar to him.

Dad was reluctant to give up his driver's license. He was very headstrong on the matter, which is very common with seniors, because it gives them a sense of mobility and independence. I didn't want to argue with my dad, but knew he wasn't safe on the roads, so all I could do is pray.

Fortunately for us, Christ heart our prayer and one day my dad called my son, unbeknownst to us, and asked him to come get his car. I have been so very blessed that so many times when I didn't know what to do in a situation, Christ resolved it. It would have been nice if I had trusted He would take care of things, because it would have saved me many hours of worry and stress on matters. Christ has gotten us through any problematic situations throughout the time of caring for my Dad.

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.

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Oh, No! It's Green and Dad Won't Eat!

Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul. Proverbs 29:17 NKJV

Oh, No! It's Green and Dad won't eat is all too real, although it sounds pretty funny. My dad, the one who made me sit down and eat broccoli, cabbage and other healthy vegetables, against my will, now won't eat any of these.

I guess that wouldn't be too terrible, but he won't eat anything on his plate if something green is on it. So, if he were to have Chicken Fried Steak, his favorite food, he wouldn't eat anything on that plate if they put a green vegetable on it. When we take Dad out to eat, I have to look for substitutions like mashed potatoes and gravy, which most restaurants will allow you to do.

Fortunately, at Dad's Veteran's Home, they have a list of foods the Veteran doesn't like, so they don't even put these foods on his plate. That's wonderful, unto itself, that they would cater to the likes and dislikes of so many different Veterans. I've been very impressed!

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.

These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Caregiving Tips Video: Managing Caregiver Stress
By: Soundoptions via You Tube

Developing a Plan for Dad's Weight

There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. Proverbs 30:11-12 NKJV

Dad was hoping to go to a family graduation, but it depended if he were strong enough. Part of that related to whether he gained some weight back. I met with the nurse at the Veteran's Home again to discuss my dad's eating, further.

I had been prayerfully contemplating this since the first conversation. I got to thinking that Dad's weight loss may be related to his wife's passing a few months ago. I shared this with the nurse and she agreed that would explain the weight loss.

I told her that I didn't want to see my dad dwindle down to 128 like he had some time ago, but she had shared with me that although he had lost 25-30 pounds, he had gained about ten pounds back.

I asked if they couldn't give my dad the special ice cream nutritional supplements instead of the liquid ones. We jointly agreed that if he continues to gain weight back on his ground diet with the nutritional supplements, we would leave him on that food plan. If my dad kept loosing weight, I wanted to invoke the waiver for Dad to be put back on a whole food plan, with all meat cut in small pieces. She was very supportive of that.

Not only that, she was supportive about Dad's being able to go to the graduation being in God's very capable hands and we'd just prepare for it, unless it becomes evident that's not a possibility.

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.