Adjustment
By Jo Cavanaugh
My introduction to caregiving was sudden, shocking, and scary. I have learned over the years how to make lemonade from life's lemons. I use the three "R's" of caregiving to help me to adjust to the new and untried experiences in caregiving:(1) Retreat, (2) Respite, and (3) Renewal.
Retreat
Retreat can be as simple as stopping and taking a deep breath. Pulling away from a situation that is out of control or unfamiliar isn't cowardly. It makes sense to pull back, regroup, and marshal your resources when you tackle a new situation. It is a great strategy to meet new challenges.
Caregiving is a very rewarding and loving task, but it is anything but routine. I have found it very helpful when I'm faced with a new challenge to stop and regroup. When we stop and take the time to unwind we are creating a retreat. A moment, space or place where we can gain a different perspective to face challenges.
Respite
Do you take frequent and scheduled breaks from your caregiving? Think back on school and recess. Even as a young child we took respite, only we called it recess. Respite is a short rest or relief.
Be creative and think how you can take a break today to rest and pause in your caregiving. Pause and think about what you can do as a break. Begin with a few minutes each day. Practice and soon you will be an expert in pausing and taking your rest.
Renewal
Starting a new day is an act of renewal. Every day is an opportunity to begin anew, to replace what we have used the previous day. Getting rest and taking care of yourself is the best way to be a good caregiver. We all know someone that has mastered the art of renewal. They care for themselves and seem to have limitless amounts of energy. Use their example as a way to learn renewal.
Renewal is act of filling up what you have used. Start today. Pause in retreat and rest in respite so that you can refill and become renewed. Add retreat, respite, and renewal to your caregiver toolbox. They will serve you well.
Words of Encouragement
Have you seen it? The green buds on the trees? The increased singing from the song birds? Nature is announcing Spring. Take a moment or two today and look for the signs of spring. Nature is living the promise of beauty and growth.
There are plants and garden supplies in the stores. Spring hats, shoes and finery is on display. Here in California we have a display of suntan lotions, flip flops, and sun hats. It is a perfect time to start some seeds inside in anticipation of the ground warming and the days becoming longer.
Tend to yourself as you would tend your garden. Make the Month of March a time of beauty and growth. Get ready for bare feet, short sleeves, and warm weather. Start to show your signs of Spring.
Book Award
Joseph, a caregiver from Michigan is the winner of Overextended and Undernourished; A Self-Care Guide for People in Helping Roles, by Dennis Portnoy, MFCC. Let us know how you liked the book.
Reminders
Don't forget that March is:
Save Your Vision Month
American Optometric Association
243 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314)991-4100
(314)991-4101 (Fax)
mailto:slthomas@aoa.org
http://www.aoa.org
Mental Retardation Awareness Month
The ARC of the United States
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301)565-3842
mailto:info@thearc.org
http://www.thearc.org
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Association
P.O. Box 18426
Kansas City, MO 64133
(816)313-2000
mailto:infomraiton@ncfsfa.org
http://www.ncfsfa.org/
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
1600 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) 227-2732
(703) 836-4412
mailto:enica.lewis@preventcancer.org
http://www.preventcancer.org/colorectal/
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(800) 225-6495
mailto:maggies@msfocus.org
http://www.msfocus.org/
National Eye Donor Month
Eye Bank Association of America
1015 18th Street, N.W., Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20036
(202)775-4999
mailto:sightebaa.aol.com
http://www.restoresight.org
National Kidney Month
National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd Street, Suite 1100
New York, NY 10016
(800)622-9010
(212)689-9261 Fax
mailto:info@kidney.org
http://www.kidney.org
National Nutrition Month
American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(800) 877-1600
mailto:knowledge@eatright.org
http://www.eatright.org/
iBALANCE ? Teleclasses
Are you longing for the time before caregiving? What to find a way to get back to your dreams and goals? Enroll in iBALANCE? a four part teleclass designed to help you take control of your life. More About Teleclasses
Caregiver Connection Support Group
Looking for a support group that you can attend from the comfort of your own home or office? Sign up for Caregiver Connection and attend a telephone support call every Wednesday at 10:00 PM Eastern Time. Register at: Caregiver Connection
Don't miss the April 2004 issue of Caregiver Tips with tips and information on Ready, Willing and Able.
Messages for Caregivers
Always forgive yourself for mistakes you feel you made. Sometimes we can be our own source of stress for not doing this. We have to remember that no one is perfect, we make mistakes, so forgive others, but foremost forgive yourself.
Mary
So Good I Want To Share It
My Silver Diary
My Silver Diary is a refreshingly simple and easy to use daily diary and personal contact manager developed especially for residents of nursing homes, personal care homes, and assisted living centers.
More than a daily diary and address book, My Silver Diary consists of simple page layouts designed to serve as memory aids by storing the kind of information considered so essential to the comfort, safety, and peace of mind of care facility residents and their families. It organizes vital data regarding family, friends, and professional contacts; diet, allergies and medication; and personal preferences and interests all in a single bound volume.
My Silver Diary includes guides for chronicling daily experiences and prompts the writer to record brief notes about the weather, events in the news, and activities and thoughts for each day. These categories have been strategically selected to help bring special interest, meaning, and continuity to the passage of time and to highlight such important aspects of functioning as orientation, memory and communication.
My Silver Diary accommodates one full year of daily journal entries. It is spiral bound so it lays flat on your lap or table, and you can view a single week at a time. Actual dates have not been preprinted so you can begin using your diary the day you receive it and make your entries as often as you like.
Although My Silver Diary was designed primarily for use in residential care facilities, its application need not be limited exclusively to these settings. Its large print and simple format may appeal to anyone wanting quick and easy access to their most important contacts and daily ponderings without having to turn on a computer. It could be the perfect gift for yourself or for your friend or loved one living in a residential care setting. It will be used and treasured in many ways every single day of
the year and beyond.
Sincerely,
Jack Considine
mailto:jack@mysilverdiary.com
You can download the PDF copy of My Silver Diary or order a hardbound copy at:
http://www.mysilverdiary.com/pages/1/index.htm
Internet Sites 2Good2Miss
Have you reviewed the benefits that are available to you or your loved ones that are over 55 years of age? The National Council on Aging Benefits Checkup Site offers a form to be filled out and will do an online evaluation of possible state and federal programs that you or your loved one may be eligible for. Benefit information includes scholarships, tax relief, and other non-health care assistance.
https://ssl1.benefitscheckup.org/
Self Care Tip
Take time today to plant the seeds of self care and joy in your life. Spend a few moments reflecting on what you enjoy doing and make sure that you take a break for 15 minutes to an hour each day to do what make you feel good.
Walk, cook, read, or do crafts. Make a point of taking the time to do what gives you pleasure. You will be rewarded with the renewal and strength that self care brings.
Take time for you.
A Native American Elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, the one I feed the most.
- George Bernard Shaw
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