Q&A with a caregiver

BY George Galvez

caregiver Gretchen Montelli

How is life as a 24/7 caregiver?

It´s a difficult lifestyle because you have to adapt and learn to modify your routine and also your emotional state of mind, constantly as you process dementia

What kind of exercises you can do with a person in bed, when he is not moving at all?

It´s hard because depends on his abilities and strenght but they are few exercises you can still try to get your senior a little bit of movement, like holding an object with his arms, always with your help as his caregiver, above his head. moving his legs, you can also try a ball he can hold with his knees , and if its possible for him to sit down, you can work some others exercises like his shoulders and back.

What do you take to be energized all day?

I try to have a good sleeping routine, i take supplements like magnesium and i drink matcha tea with milk and I exercise too.

What products for hygene can you recommend to use for seniors care?

Definitely products from the local market like soaps, instead of big brand ones. And for the haircare, defintely products from the honeykeeper, or the Bio baby wipes.

How do you stay motivated?

With exercises, talking with other caregivers, watching alot of netflix and youtube, ha ha ha.

Being a caregiver is a hard choice for someone because the demand for attention is too much and it doubled each month.