Caregivers

By Cheryl Carver, LPN, WCC, CWCA, FACCWS, DAPWCA, CLTC

It's November, and most people are thinking about turkey, stuffing, pumpkin spice, and the fall colors. But I think of Worldwide Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Awareness Day (November 19, 2015), National Caregivers Month, and how I can help. I have shared a holding sign video and personal photos on social media to share my story in hopes of educating others. My passion for wound care is driven by my mother dying in my arms at the young age of 47, due to complications of diabetes and stage IV pressure ulcers.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

Fall is in full swing. The leaves in Ohio are just past their full glory, the Cleveland Browns are having another disappointing season and the debate about health care reform goes on. In other words, not much has changed from the past several years. Our clients with chronic wounds may feel the same: different day, different year, same problems with no end in sight. One wound may have healed only to recur or another erupt in a different location.

By Colton Mason

I recently decided to take on the daunting task of cleaning up my inbox. I had really let it get away from me with a massive amount of emails still sitting there waiting for me to either "reply" or "delete". I had scanned most of them as they had come in over the past few weeks and handled the top priorities, but really slacked on the daily task of keeping all my correspondence caught up. So...I rolled up my sleeves and decided I would have a clean inbox before I started my weekend.

By Terri Kolenich, RN, CWCA, AAPWCA

We all have hobbies outside of what we do for a living. At least, we all should have hobbies or interests outside of our careers. Our hobbies are our outlet for stress. I love to draw. I also enjoy painting. What I love most of all is acting and theater. I love being on stage, performing, and getting an emotional response from my audience. Everyone that knows me well knows how much I love acting on stage. Bringing a script to life exhilarates me. Just the thought of performing live, delivering memorized lines, and anticipating the reaction of my fellow actors stirs and motivates me. Most of all I crave the opportunity to use my improvising skills when a scene goes an unexpected direction.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

As summer gives way to fall, one of the first thoughts most of us have is back to school. Patients and caregivers often feel as though every day is the first day of school and they are being asked to take the final exam before they have learned anything. Learner readiness is the cornerstone of an effective teaching/learning process.

by Terri Kolenich, RN, CWCA, AAPWCA

As a nurse who was once a caregiver for a family member, I have a unique and personal perspective on the needs of caregivers. I cared for my mother-in-law, who was also my best friend and mentor, during the last several months of her life. At the time I provided care for her, I hadn't yet started my education to become a nurse. Knowing what I know now as a nurse causes me to reflect often on the daily struggles I encountered performing the very basic elements of her care.

By Margaret Heale, RN, MSc, CWOCN

Matron Marley is back after a small break (that allowed me to vent about the lack of 'clean' with a clean dressing technique).

By Diana L. Gallagher MS, RN, CWOCN, CFCN

I recently had the privilege of attending a patient's funeral. I would imagine that most nurses attend funerals for special patients from time to time. As a Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN®), I often care for patients with chronic conditions. Over time, I get to know them and their families very well. A lot of them have become more than patients…some of them are even my friends. I celebrate their successes and I mourn their losses.

By Aletha Tippett MD

The topic of grief and bereavement is near to my heart right now as I just lost my beloved therapy dog, Barney, suddenly to hemangiosarcoma after years of service. He was an important and valued part of our healing community and will be mourned for a long time.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

This November marks the second annual National Family Caregivers Month. Family caregivers are the unsung, unpaid giants of health care. Some are suddenly thrust into the role; others take on caregiver duties more gradually. In fact many people do not even self-identify with the term 'caregiver'. They think of themselves as husband, wife, son or daughter doing what they want and need to do for their loved one.