How to Celebrate Your Family Heritage

Family heritage means the background that you come from. For example, you may be of a German, Chinese, or Kenyan heritage. It is likely that your heritage does not consist of just one culture because ancestry is often mixed. To celebrate your family heritage, learn about your heritage, get involved, and make items that have something to do with your heritage.

EditSteps

EditLearning About Your Family Heritage

1. Review your family tree. If your family already has a family tree, take time to review it. Ask your family about the people that you don’t know on the tree. If you don’t have a family tree, ask your family if they would like to work on one with you. Or, work on a family tree in your own time by gathering information and photos. If you aren’t positive about your ancestry, there are ways that you can trace it. You can join a genealogy project, trace your history on websites like ancestry.com, or even get a DNA test to learn your exact ancestry.^[1]
   
   • To make a family tree, you can draw a tree and extend a branch for each family member. Put their name and photo (if you have it) on that branch.
2. Research the culture represented in your family tree. Once you have learned what cultures are represented in your family tree, learn more about them. You may begin your research with a fair amount of prior knowledge, or you might know very little about what culture(s) you come from. A good place to start your research would be the internet. Look up information about the history, religion, dress, etiquette, and holidays. You can also go to the library to check out books and documentaries about whatever culture you’re looking for.^[2]
   
   • Keep a notebook with you so that you can take notes.
3. Talk to relatives. Talk to your family about ancestors that they remember. Ask them to share memories about your family members. If you have family that emigrated to the country you’re living in now, ask for them to share memories and details of their home country.^[3]
   
   • Ask family about where they grew up, what kind of foods they made or make, holidays they celebrate, and what traditions they practice(d).
4. Look at old photos. Bring out photos that you have of family members. Ask your family to bring out old photos as well. Share them and talk about them. Ask about the people in the photos that you don’t recognize. If the photos aren’t organized, put them in a photo album to be reviewed in the future.^[4]
   
   • You can also scan the photos to create a digital album.
5. Go to the cemetery. This may seem like a morbid thing to do, but it is actually quite informative. Visit your passed on family members’ gravestones. If you know where your ancestors’ gravestones are located, visit them with family. Take photos of them, transcribe them, and document them for future generations.^[5]
   
   • You can also visit the cemeteries with people that are interested in genealogy.

EditLearning Your Family's Culture and History

1. Take a field trip. If your family has history near where you live, ask them to take you to spots where the grew up and hung out. Seek out locations that reflect your cultural heritage if your family does not have personal heritage near where you live. For example, go to museums and restaurants that reflect your culture. If possible, plan a visit to your ancestral hometown—at least one of them.^[6]
   
   • It can cost a fair amount of money to visit your ancestral hometown, especially if it is far away. Plan months or even a year in advance to make the trip.
2. Share your findings on social media. Social media, if used correctly, is a great tool to share things that matter with you and connect with the world. It is also a good tool for celebrating your family heritage. Reach out to family members on social media that you may not talk to often. Upload photos of your family on social media accounts with your contacts and family members. You can also create photo albums on social media about your family heritage.^[7]
   
   • If the family members that you are sharing photos of are alive, make sure you have their permission before posting photos of them.
3. Reach out to people that share your culture. If you don’t know people outside of your family that share your heritage, try reaching out to them. You may know of some people at school or work that share your heritage. Or, reach out to people in your community by asking if they’d like to share some of their family history and background. You can also become pen pals or reach out to people through the internet, but be careful if you do.
   
   • Be sure that the person is from the cultural background you think they are before reaching out to them.
4. Try to learn the language. You may already speak the language from your cultural background, but if you don’t, a great way to celebrate your family heritage is to learn the language. There are several ways you can learn the language. If you’re in school, there might be opportunities to sign up for language courses. Even if you’re not enrolled in school, you can enroll in languages courses at your local community college. For a cheaper approach, utilize free courses on the internet and download language apps, like Duolingo.^[8]
   
   • You can ask for help from friends or family members that already speak the language.
5. Join a genealogy society. Genealogy societies consist of people that have an interest in researching and learning about their family background. Locate one in your area and become a member. A genealogy society is a great place to learn more about your family history and share it with others.^[9]
   
   • If you don’t know how to locate a genealogy society, type in genealogy society in “your town” into a search engine and look through the results.

EditMaking Items Involving Your Heritage

1. Research the cuisine of the culture(s) represented in your family tree. Food is an important part of culture. It is something that can be shared with family and friends, and it can remind you of a place that may be far away. Buy or borrow cookbooks that give recipes and information about your culture’s cuisine. Start by trying to make some of the basic recipes from a cookbook. Once you feel comfortable with the basics, attempt to make some traditional dishes. ^[10]
   
   • Your family may already know how to make some traditional dishes. Ask for help and advice if you need it.
2. Put together a scrapbook. Take the photo album a step further by creating a scrapbook about your family heritage. Take time to pick out a scrapbook that appeals to you and decorate the pages with things like glitter or ribbons and choose nice fonts for your writing. Then, add in things like photos, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and any other items that you find relevant.^[11]
   
   • You can also pay to have a scrapbook made for you on websites like MyPublisher and MixBook.
3. Dress in a traditional outfit from your culture. You may already know something about traditional outfits or costumes from your research. A great way to take your research a step further is to make or buy an outfit or costume from your heritage. You can begin by asking your family if they already have a traditional outfit or costume that they would allow you to borrow. If not, research where a traditional outfit can be bought. You can also attempt to make your own outfit if you’re particularly crafty.
   
   • For example, you can dress up in a sari if you’re from an Indian background, and a kilt if you’re from a Scottish background.^[12]
4. Craft an item or decoration. Look into crafts or decorations from your heritage. Specifically, look for crafts and/or decorations that you could make. For example, if you’re Japanese, look into making origami. You could also make a Chinese Lantern for decoration if you have a Chinese heritage.^[13]
   
   • Your decoration could also involve body art. For example, if you come from an Indian background, you could learn about henna. Henna is typically painted on the hands, feet, shins, and insides of arms for special occasions.^[14]
5. Plan a party. After all of your hard work and research, the ultimate way to celebrate your family heritage is to throw a party. You should begin to plan the part at least a month in advance and send out invitations accordingly. Invite friends and family to share in the music, cuisine, dress, and spirit of your family heritage.
   

EditTips

• Talk to friends or other people that share the same cultural heritage. Share stories about your family and heritage with them.
• Watch books and movies about your cultural heritage with your family.^[15]

EditRelated wikiHows

• Use Technology as a Journalist

EditSources and Citations

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source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2qCy2M9

How to Tell if You Have Fixed a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are serious hazards to human life and personal property. If you try to fix a gas leak yourself, you should be very careful and realize that you may not actually succeed in fixing it. However, if you choose to do the work yourself, there are a wide variety of ways to tell if you have fixed a gas leak. By detecting a leak, making sure appliances function properly, and consulting professionals, you’ll be able to verify if you’ve fixed a gas leak.

EditSteps

EditDetecting a Gas Leak

1. Notice if you smell gas. The smell of gas is one of the best indications that you haven’t successfully fixed a gas leak. While you might not always be able to smell a leak, you should pay attention to see if you do notice the smell of leaking gas.
   
   • Gas smells like Sulphur or “rotten eggs.”
   • The smell of gas is made by mercaptan, an additive that is intended to help humans smell it.
   • Shut off the master gas switch for your home and consider calling a professional if you smell gas. The gas main switch will be located next to your meter -- usually on the side of your home.^[1]
2. Use a carbon monoxide or gas detector. Carbon monoxide detectors and gas detectors are normally used to alert people to gas leaks in their homes and businesses. While most detectors are stationary devices meant to detect an accumulation of carbon monoxide or other fumes, you can purchase portable detectors.
   
   • Position your stationary carbon monoxide detector near the repair you’ve made.
   • If you have a portable detector, move it near (within several inches) to the repair.
   • If there is a gas buildup near the detector, it will sound an alarm.^[2]
3. Spray liquid gas detector or soapy water on a pipe or appliance. This works because the detector solution or soapy water will bubble due to the force of the leaking gas. Ultimately, this is a simple and effective way to find out if you’ve successfully fixed a gas leak.
   
   • Commercially produced gas leak detector is specially formulated to stick to tight connections.
   • If you want to create your own solution, try mixing a few drops of dish soap into a cup of water and spraying it onto the gas connection.
   • If the solution bubbles, you likely failed to repair the leak.
   • Gas detector may be available at your local home improvement store, specialty stores, or online.^[3]

EditMaking Sure Your Appliances Function Properly

1. Check your gas appliances. If you’ve worked to fix an appliance, the best indication that you have not been successful is if the appliance doesn’t work. However, make sure to take a few precautions before turning on an appliance you’ve just fixed:
   
   • Try to detect gas before turning it on by smelling, using a gas detector spray, or an electronic gas detector before powering your appliances on.
   • Make sure the room is ventilated and has had time to air out before working an appliance.
   • Call a licensed professional if you’ve failed to fix a leak.^[4]
2. Verify that pilot lights on your appliances are burning strong. One of the best indications of an on-going gas leak is a weak pilot light. A weak pilot light may indicate low gas flow. In this event, your fix did not work.
   
   • The pilot light should always be a blue transparent color.
   • An orange or red pilot light is an indication of problems.
   • If the pilot light turns off repeatedly, it is likely not getting enough gas and there may be a leak.^[5]
3. Look for soot or scorch marks. If you have not fixed a leak, you may be able to spot soot or scorches on the outside of the appliance. Most of the time, these indications will be near the pilot light or connecting gas line.
   
   • Scorch marks may be brown or black.
   • Soot may be very fine and whitish grey.^[6]

EditBeing Safe and Consulting a Professional

1. Ventilate the area. Both before and after you attempt to fix a gas leak, you need to make sure that the area is well-ventilated. If the area is not well-ventilated, you may have a potentially dangerous accumulation of gas.
   
   • Open windows and doors.
   • Allow an area to air out before re-entering it or turning on any appliances.^[7]
2. Discontinue use of appliances and electrical devices. If you have any doubt that you’ve fixed the gas leak, you should not engage in any activity that could result in a gas explosion. This is important, as any fire or electronic activity could potentially ignite accumulated gas. Refrain from:
   
   • Lighting matches or lighters.
   • Operating electrical switches.
   • Using telephones.
   • Answering your cell phone or using other portable electronic devices.^[8]
3. Leave the building. The second you suspect there is an ongoing gas leak, you should vacate the building at once. This is important, as gas leaks can quickly turn into gas explosions. In addition, you might also be overcome by the gas and lose consciousness.
   
   • After exiting the building, stay at least 100 feet away.
   • If safe, and if you know where it is, locate the gas shut off valve and turn off the gas for the premises.^[9]
4. Call a professional. After exiting the building, you should call a professional to properly fix the gas leak. A professional will be able to quickly locate the source of the leak, fix it, and prevent harm to property or people.
   
   • Call your gas company if you suspect the leak in your home or business is linked to a larger leak in their system.
   • Inform the professional of any steps you’ve taken to fix the gas leak. If you’ve turned the main gas switch off, shut off gas to an appliance, added piping, or changed any substantial part of your gas system, they need to know.
   • If you have an uncontrolled gas leak in your home or business, call local authorities immediately. For example, call 911 in the United States.^[10]

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2quHEx8

How to Debloat Using Yoga

Whether you're simply bloated and gassy after a large meal or have a chronic condition that causes it, bloating can be uncomfortable or even embarrassing. While medications can help ease the symptoms, it also is possible to debloat using yoga. Yoga breathing and poses can help relax your nervous system, alleviate gas, and stimulate your abdominal organs to help improve your digestion and make bloating less uncomfortable and less likely to happen in the future.^[1]

EditSteps

EditRelaxing Your Nervous System

1. Calm your nerves with a seated forward bend. The seated forward bend is a relatively simple stretch that provides whole-body relaxation. If your digestive troubles are related to stress or tension, this pose may help you debloat with yoga.^[2]
   
   • Start from a seated position on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. You may want to place a blanket or towel under your hips to help keep you in alignment or to cushion your sitting bones.
   • On an exhale, raise your arms over your head and slowly hinge forward from your hips, keeping your back straight and flat. Lower yourself as far as you comfortably can to your legs. Ultimately, you may get to the point where you can recline fully with the top of your head resting against your legs and your forearms and palms against the floor.
   • Hold the fold for 5 to 10 deep breaths, then slowly raise your torso to a seated position on an inhale.
2. Transition between cat and cow. The cat-cow flow stretches and relaxes your spine as well as stretching out your torso. This relaxing exercise is done as a vinyasa flow, with a breath for each movement.^[3]
   
   • Start this pose on all fours, with your knees directly below your hips and your ankles in line with your shoulders. Roll your shoulders back, allowing your shoulder blades to melt back alongside your spine.
   • As you inhale, arch your back, drawing your navel towards the floor and opening your chest. This is the "cow" position.
   • When you exhale, reverse the movement starting with your tail bone. Drop your tail bone towards the floor and your navel toward your spine, curving your back upward and lowering your head slightly. This is the "cat" position.
   • Repeat this flow for 10 to 15 breath cycles, feeling the stretch in your spine.
3. Rest in child's pose. Child's pose is the ultimate resting position in yoga, and will give you full body relaxation to calm your nervous system and help ease digestive troubles. You may want a block or pillow for your head.^[4]
   
   • Start by sitting on your knees, legs wide apart and big toes touching. On an exhale, reach forward and fold over your thighs, resting your forehead on the floor and reaching out ahead of you. Keep your hips lowered against your heels.
   • If you're coming from all fours, slowly lower your hips back to your heels on an exhale, reaching forward with your hands as you lower.
   • Hold this position for at least five deep breaths. If it feels good, you can hold this gentle pose as long as you want.
   • If you have abdominal cramps, you can ease them by adding a twist to child's pose. Simply walk your hands to the left, hold for 10 to 15 breath cycles, then slowly move back to center and repeat on the other side.^[5]
4. Use downward facing dog to warm yourself up. Downward facing dog engages your whole body to get your circulation flowing, while the inversion can help relax your nervous system and encourage improved digestion.^[6]
   
   • If you're moving from child's pose, rise up to all fours with your legs about hip-width apart and your wrists in line with your shoulders. Your knees should be directly in line with your hips, so you make a tabletop shape.
   • Tuck your toes under your heels, and on an exhale lift your hips up to the ceiling. Straighten your legs as much as possible, pressing your heels towards the floor. Make sure your neck is not crunched. You can gaze through your legs or toward your navel.
   • Stay in downward facing dog for four or five breath cycles, thinking about lifting with each exhale and pressing down with every inhale.
5. Release spinal tension with a standing forward bend. A standing forward bend helps further warm up your belly while relieving tension all the way down your spine. This also may help stimulate digestion and ease bloating.^[7]
   
   • Start this position from a standing position, big toes together and heels slightly apart. You also can have your feet about hip-width apart if you find that is easier for you.
   • On an exhale, fold forward from your hips, engaging a core and maintaining a flat back as long as possible before you fold into yourself.
   • Ideally, you will end with your palms flat on the ground, fingertips in line with your toes. If you aren't that flexible yet, just fold as far as you comfortably can and rest your palms on a block, or on your shins or knees.
   • Hold this fold for 10 breath cycles, then on an inhale slowly rise and return to stand.
6. Practice breathing deeply. Deep breathing has a relaxing effect on your whole body and also can help stimulate digestive processes to relieve cramps, gas, and bloating. It's most effective to take some time to get in touch with your breath both before and after you practice yoga.^[8]
   
   • Come to a comfortable seated position with your back straight, heart over pelvis, shoulder blades melting down along your spine. Relax your face and neck and close your eyes or soften your gaze.
   • Begin by inhaling deeply through your nose, lifting your chest and expanding your belly to take in as much air as possible.
   • Pause after your inhale, then exhale slowly through your mouth, making a whispered "ha" sound in the back of your throat. With practice, you'll be able to make this relaxing sound while exhaling through your nose.
   • Try to clear your mind and focus on your breath. Let your awareness of the sounds around you slowly fade. Stay here for at least five minutes.

EditAlleviating Gas

1. Try the 'Apanasana' pose. The word "Apanasana" means "wind-relieving" in Sanskrit, so this may become your go-to pose to debloat using yoga, particularly if you're feeling gassy. You may want to make sure you have some privacy before you attempt this pose.^[9]
   
   • Lie on your back with your legs extended. Slowly draw your knees up and into your chest. You can hold your knees with your hands and rock from side to side to give your lower back and spine a good massage.
   • Lower and extend your left leg, keeping your right knee against your chest. Flex through your left foot, pressing the top of your left thigh towards the ground. Breathe deeply for 10 to 15 breath cycles, then switch legs.
   • You also can hold this pose with both knees against your chest at the same time.
2. Do a supine twist. Twists increase circulation to your abdomen, stimulating digestion and encouraging the release of gas to ease bloating. This twist can be done directly from Apanasana, or you can create a flow between the two poses.^[10]
   
   • On your back with your right knee against your chest as in Apanasana, roll your hips to twist your right knee to the left. You can put your left hand on top of your right knee to deepen the stretch, but don't force it.
   • Extend your right arm out to your side from your shoulder and hold the twist for 10 breath cycles. Slowly return to center and repeat on the other side.
   • You also can do this twist while seated, by crossing one leg over the other and twisting your torso in the other direction.^[11]
3. Use the eagle twist to help your stomach relax. The eagle twist can increase the side-to-side flexibility in your spine, as well as loosening up your stomach and other abdominal organs to ease cramps as well as bloating.^[12]
   
   • Start by lying on your back with your knees up, feet flat on the floor. Cross your left leg over your right, wrapping your left toes around the back of your right ankle to twist your legs together.
   • Your arms should be extended out to the sides from your shoulder, with your palms facing up and your elbows at 90-degree angles, so your hands are on either side of your head.
   • On an exhale, lower both knees to the left slowly. Try to rest them on the floor, but take care to keep your shoulders pressed to the floor. Turn your head to the right.
   • Hold the twist for at least 10 breath cycles. With every exhale, try to deepen the twist a little more. Feel the stretch in your spine.
   • When you're ready, engage your core to lift your knees back to center, then repeat in the opposite direction.
4. Rest in "burrito" pose. While this clearly isn't a Sanskrit word or traditional yoga pose, the burrito pose is a gentle, calming pose that can help ease gas, cramps, and bloating. It also gives you a chance to relax your whole body.^[13]
   
   • Roll a blanket or towel into a burrito shape and place it on the floor. Lay down over the roll, with the blanket under your navel. Make sure the roll isn't so thick that it presses into your ribs or your hip bones.
   • Lower yourself flat on the floor, placing a block or pillow under your head for support if necessary. Breathe deeply for 10 to 15 breath cycles or even longer, releasing all tension and feeling your body sink into the floor.

EditStimulating Abdominal Organs

1. Stretch your belly with the seated heart opener. If you've had a large meal and are feeling bloated or overly full, the seated heart opener can help ease stomach cramps and give you more room for the food to digest.^[14]
   
   • Sit on your heels or on the edge of a chair. Lean back, placing your palms behind you with your fingertips pointed away from you. Press into the ground or seat of the chair with all four corners of your palms, arching your back and lifting your chest.
   • Hold this position for five breath cycles, then slowly return to center and place your hands on your thighs. If you want to deepen the stretch and open your chest further, drop your head back behind you, arching your neck.
2. Use the bridge pose to aid blood flow. The bridge pose increases blood flow to your abdomen and strengthens your abdominal muscles to ease cramps and aid in digestion. You can make a vinyasa of this pose or you can simply hold it for five breaths, then release.^[15]
   
   • Start by lying on your back with your arms down your sides and your shoulder blades tucked under and into your back. Your feet should be flat on the floor near your fingertips, knees bent.
   • On an inhale, lift your hips up toward the sky, your chest toward your chin. Make sure your neck is soft and not crunched. On an exhale, slowly lower your hips to the floor.
   • You also can alternate hips to better stimulate and massage your digestive system.
3. Twist and bend with open triangle pose. The twisting and bending detoxifies and stimulates your intestinal tract to help alleviate bloating. If you're not as flexible, you may need to use a yoga block or other prop to maintain proper alignment in this pose.^[16]
   
   • Come to a stand and walk or jump your feet wide apart. Turn your right toes out to the right and straighten your right leg. Your left leg should remain facing forward. You may even want to turn your left foot inward so you're a little pigeon-toed, for some extra stability.
   • On an exhale, slowly lower your right arm towards the floor, taking care to keep your back neutral and in line with your pelvis, rather than folding forward. You can rest your right hand on the floor, or on a block or your shin.
   • Lift your left arm up towards the ceiling, forming a straight line from the tips of your right fingers to the tips of your left fingers. Stay in this position for five breath cycles, lifting with every inhale and deepening the twist with every exhale. Keep your neck long and soft.
   • On an inhale, slowly lift back to center and repeat on the other side.
4. Engage your abdominal muscles with bow pose. The bow pose will stretch your torso as well as strengthening your abdominal muscles to massage your intestinal organs and help you debloat. Do not do this pose if you cannot breathe through it.^[17]
   
   • Start this pose lying on your belly. Bend your knees and reach back to grab each of your ankles. Point or flex your feet and lift off the floor as high as you can, shifting your weight forward. The arch point should be your navel, not your pelvis. Curve your back and open your chest.
   • Hold this pose for five smooth, deep breaths if you can. If your breath is shaky or you find yourself holding your breath, allow yourself to recline back to your belly.
5. Create a flow with down dog, up dog, and bow pose. These three poses combined together with a breath for each movement will really get the blood flowing to your abdomen and massage your abdominal organs to get your digestion moving.^[18]
   
   • Start on all fours with your knees hip-width apart and your hands directly below your shoulders. On an exhale, lift your hips toward the ceiling and press up into downward facing dog.
   • As you inhale, lower back down to all fours and pull forward, lifting and opening your chest for a full breath.
   • As you exhale, bend your knees and lift your chest, reaching backward to grab your ankles. Press your shoulder blades down your back along your spine, keeping your shoulders back and flat, your neck long and smooth.
   • Lower yourself slowly to the floor as you inhale and return to all fours. Exhale and lift into downward facing dog to repeat the flow. Try to repeat it four or five times.

EditWarnings

• As with any exercise regimen, consult your health care provider before starting a yoga practice to ease bloating, particularly if your bloating is caused by a chronic health condition.

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2s7YbEm

How to Cope with a Bedridden Parent

When a parent becomes bedridden, it can hit you hard. Whether you're providing care or just finding someone to help with it, it can take an emotional toll on you. If you're providing care, you need to know the basics, but you'll also need to know when to ask for help from outside sources, such as friends, family members, and professional organizations. Whether you're just supervising or doing the caring yourself, you also need to make sure that you stay healthy, both physically and emotionally.

EditSteps

EditProviding Care and Preventing Problems

1. Help with basic hygiene. A bedridden person may or may not be able to keep with their own hygiene tasks. If they can't, you or another caregiver will need to help them. Even if they can, you might need to provide them with reminders and the tools to take care of their hygiene. Bathing, dental care, nail care, hair care, and changing clothes are all tasks your parent may need help with. ^[1]
   
   • For bathing, you may be able to help your parent into a shower chair (using a wheelchair), where they can mostly bathe themselves with some supervision. On the other hand, they may need a sponge bath.
   • If your parent is completely bedridden, you'll need to bring items to them. For instance, you can bring a toothbrush, a cup with clean water, and a spitting cup over to the bed. Let the person brush their teeth or ask them to open their mouth so you can brush their teeth.
   • Make sure you are helping them trim their nails regularly. They will likely need help with their toenails, even if they don't need help with their fingernails. You'll also need to help the person shave. An electric razor works best for this process, particularly if you've never shaved anyone else.
2. Watch for bed sores. Being bedridden comes with certain health risks that you need to help watch out for if you're providing care for your parent. For instance, bed sores are a common problem. They generally appear where the person's body touches the mattress, such as the bottom of the feet, the shoulders, the buttocks, and the back of the head.^[2]
   
   • To combat pressure sores, try to change your parent's position every 2 hours, and encourage them to move their body in the bed as much as possible. You can also find special mattresses and cushions that can help relieve pressure points.
   • Pay attention to the sheets. They should be cotton or silk, and you should smooth them out before putting your parent on them, as wrinkled sheets can increase the chance of bed sores.
   • Make sure your parent's skin is moisturized regularly. Also, avoid using scented soaps and talcum powder, as those can dry out the skin. Dry skin makes your parent more susceptible to bed sores. It can also help to make sure your parent is drinking at least 2 liters of fluid a day.
   • On people with darker skin, you may see blue or purple patches, while the patches will be red or white on lighter-skinned people. Cracks, wrinkles, swelling, shiny areas, blisters, and dry areas are also indicators of bed sores. Talk to a nurse if you start noticing these signs.
3. Look for signs of chest problems. When laying in bed regularly, liquids can build up in the lungs, leading to congestion and even pneumonia. The best way to combat this problem is to make sure your parent is rotated to a new position regularly, preferably every 2 hours.^[3]
   
4. Provide emotional support. The emotional side of a illness can be just as destructive as the physical side. When your parent becomes bedridden, they can't do the things they used to or visit with the people they enjoyed seeing regularly.^[4]
   
   • Encourage people to come over and visit with your parent, so they have regular interaction.
   • Also, try to encourage your parent to still participate in activities they enjoy as much as possible. For instance, if your parent enjoys making art, get them a small set of art supplies they can use in bed with a table.
   • It's also important to provide a safe place where your parent can talk about what's going on. They need a sounding board as much as you do. You can be this person some of the time, but make sure that your parent feels comfortable talking with other people as well. If you are their only source of support, then this can put a lot of pressure on you when you already have so much going on.

EditGetting Help

1. Ask about a social worker. Often, a person who is bedridden will qualify for having a social worker assist with their needs. A social worker can benefit you, too, as they can help you find the care you need for your parent, as well as other resources.^[5]
   
   • Most hospitals have social services on site, though you can also visit a Medicare/Medicaid office in your local community, or visit the offices of an insurance company that that your parent goes through.
2. Request help from friends and family. When your parent is sick, you may feel like you're alone in the situation. However, more often than not, friends and family would like to help you, but they don't know how. Take the time to meet with friends and family members one at time to ask for help.^[6]
   
   • It is important to be assertive when asking for help from friends and family. Try saying, "I'm creating a weekly schedule for Mom's care. Please let me know which two days you would like this week."
   • Offer a specific task if they don't seem to know how to help.
   • If you have children, then you might also consider asking a friend or family member to watch them for you one evening per week while you care for your parent. Be sure to let your children know why you need someone to watch them during these times.
3. Let the professionals help. If your parent has become bedridden, it's likely you'll need some help from professional caregivers. If you're caring for the person at home, you can get help from people who come to the house. If the person will need long-term care, you may need to consider placing them in a facility that can provide care. If your parent has a terminal illness, hospice care may provide some relief.^[7]
   
   • Both in-home care and care facilities can be expensive. Insurance and medicare may cover some in-home care (which sometimes includes in-home care at senior facilities).
   • Have a talk with your parent about getting some help. They may not like the idea much, as some people are reluctant to have outside help. If you need help persuading them, try asking someone who's been in a similar situation to help. It might also be hard for your parent to hear this from you. You might consider asking someone who has a different relationship with your parent to talk with them instead, such as a close friend, a cousin, or a spiritual leader.
   • You can hire whatever level of care you need. For instance, some non-medical care can help with basics like bathroom assistance and meals. However, if your parent needs medical care, you will need to hire nurses or nursing aids to help, though that kind of care is generally prescribed by a doctor.

EditTaking Care of Yourself

1. Acknowledge your emotions. When your parent is bedridden, you likely will have a surplus of emotions, which is perfectly normal. You may find you feel anger or resentment. You might feel guilty that you can't spend more time with them or that they're bedridden and you're not. You also may feel anxiety about the situation. Grief is also common, as you've lost who your parent was.^[8]
   
   • Let yourself feel those emotions. Acknowledge them, and give yourself permission to feel them. Also, make sure you find someone to talk to. Anyone with a sympathetic ear will do.^[9] Writing down your feelings is also a good way to get them out and understand them better. Try keeping a journal as well.
   • You can also talk with others who are facing the same issue. You can join a local support group or find one online. In fact, if your parent is on hospice, many hospice organizations have grief support groups available for people in your situation. Just knowing you're not alone can help.
   • Professional counseling can also be beneficial. If your parent is bedridden, particularly if they have a terminal illness, it can be difficult to come to terms with that, especially if you have a complicated relationship with your parent. A professional can help you work through those feelings and come to terms with what's happening.^[10]
2. Ask questions. When it comes to a parent's failing health, you may find that having specific answers can somehow make the diagnosis more manageable. When you have questions about your parent's health, ask the doctors and nurses. If you don't understand their answer, ask them to explain it in layperson's terms. You deserve to know what's going on (with your parent's consent, of course).^[11]
   
   • Taking notes or having another person there to help you remember everything during conversations with doctors and nurses can also be helpful. Emotions may be high, which might make it hard for you to remember everything.
3. Take care of your spiritual needs. Take time to do things you normally do for your spiritual self, such as praying or meditating. These activities can have a calming effect in a stressful situation. Of course, not everyone considers themselves a spiritual person, and that may be the case with you. Nonetheless, it can still help to take a few minutes each day to just be or sit in silence.^[12]
   
4. Enjoy what you can. When you're taking care of a parent, it can be difficult to find time for yourself to do things you enjoy. However, it's very important to take time each day to relax if you can. It can be something seemingly insignificant, like drawing a little picture or watching the birds outside. Whatever it is, take some time each day to do something you enjoy.^[13]
   
   • Similarly, it's important to maintain the relationships in your life. Try to get away to spend time with people you care about, so you can just be you for a while.^[14] At the very least, set aside some time each day to return calls, respond to text messages, or check in with your other loved ones.
   • Also, take time to escape. That is, sometimes, escaping into the fantasy world of a book, movie, or television show can give you the mental break you need. You can even enjoy these with your parent. Listening to your favorite music can also help you take a break.^[15] Be sure to schedule this time in. Don’t wait until you feel like you need a break.
5. Determine your limitations. When you're providing care, you need to make sure you know what your limits are. Determine how much time you can actually give, as well as how much physical care you can give. Be firm with those limits, and get help as needed.^[16]
   
   • For example, it is important to maintain your relationship with your spouse/partner and children (if you have them). This might mean that certain times of the day will be set aside for spending time with your family, such as dinner time.
6. Maintain your health. When you're caring for someone, it can be easy to neglect your physical health, but it's important to make that a priority, too. Make sure you're eating enough and that you're eating healthy meals with lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Try to get some exercise in when you can, as it will lower your stress level and keep you healthy.^[17]
   
   • In addition, make getting enough sleep a priority. Even if you can get enough sleep all at at once, try to work in 7 to 9 hours a day to make sure you'll be able to function.
   • Finally, make sure you are keeping up your regular doctor's appointments and dental care, so that you stay healthy.^[18]

EditSources and Citations

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source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2se2MV4