Do you need to get a disabled person in and out of a car? A simple, effective,and cheap way to do this easily is to place a large plastic yard type bag on the car seat.The 'patient' will then 'slide' onto the seat easily. Then,A simple tug on the plastic bag from you can help better position the infirm person.

Many podiatrists feel the formation of calluses on the feet of a disabled person, can lead to pressure sores. Around here, we use 'good old' bag balm nightly on callused feet,and other 'rough' skin areas.Too,avoid tight fitted sheets on the bed of an infirm person;keep bed linen 'loose'to help prevent calluses and pressure sores.

Those plastic drinking or 'sports'bottles with the attached plastic straws, are easily adapted to home care use, when the 'patient' is bedridden.No spills,and the patient gets needed fluids easily.

Instead of the so-called 'adult bib',putting an old fashioned cobbler apron (that buttons down the front)on your disabled woman patient gives needed dignity as well as protection from spills.

Caregiver burn-out can be defined as a sense of emotional fatigue, which causes caregivers to stop 'giving to others' because it takes so much out of us.This burn-out is probably not caused by overwork. More likely it's a sense of futility;we need to feel we're making a difference in someone's life,but this task becomes too difficult if we feel our efforts are being 'wasted'.

To avoid these feelings of futility, we need to redefine success. Not every disease can be conquered,not every health problem solved.

Success to me means giving the patient the sense that he/she is cared about in all situations.To do this it is essential to have a religious commitment. Many of you know this. Through this faith we have an abundance of resources.Without spiritual faith, we will run dry.

Through learning to turn to God to refill us,and in becoming a channel through which his love and caring can flow out to others,our own strength will be continually renewed.