My first day was massaging her belly with turmeric, ginger and olive oil that I mixed from their kitchen as I relieve her cramps and complains and put her to sleep for an hour.

As I learned about her medical history I developed more holistic healing ways. For her anemia, I add Floradix (iron liquid supplement) in her prune juice/orange juice in the morning.  For breakfast, I add soft boiled eggs, avocado-banana smoothie with yogurt, grounded nuts (walnuts/amonds) and raisins in her oat meal.  I made sure she has breakfast before 9am, lunch before 1pm, snack before 3pm and dinner before 6pm. This schedule protects her adrenal glands and puts energy in her body using whole foods as she lacks many enzymes (papaya, pineapple,avocado and other potassium/magnesium rich foods) which exacerbate her nerve pain (a Vit B12 deficiency).

She had so much stress during the last 15 yrs of her life, caring for bed-bound husband for 10 yrs and death of her sister a month ago.  Driving her to outings, reading the Reader’s Digest, watching funny video in the internet, getting some sunshine, talking with love ones and saying YES to her most of the time.  Finding ways to de-stress an anxious senior is important and massaging the head and limbs is very important. Massage in one direction not rubbing using ginger+turmeric+cocounut+olive oil.

I use melatonin with B vitamins, calcium and magnesium to help put her to sleep.  I have to detox her body from overuse of Tramadol (narcotic pain killer), sugar (she had Type 2 diabetes in the past), over medications and also educated her on the many side effects of each of her medication (including OTCs such as Ibuprofen and Tums).  I tell her to chew her food many times and walk awhile and not lie down on the bed after eating. I helped her with stretching and exercises supporting her joints, motivating her.  I ask her to tell her stories about her past to exercise her memory and know more about her.

I add more garlic, onions, tomatoes, kale and spinach in her cooked lentils/veggies, soups and spaghetti sauce. I add ginger in her favorite tea.

…to be continued

For holistic caregiving services for homebound bayarea seniors, contact Motherhealth caregivers at 408-854-1883 motherhealth@gmail.com

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