Caregiver Tips November 2004

Gratitude

*Self Care Focus: Gratitude
**Words of Encouragement
***Book Award
****Reminders
*****Messages for Caregivers
******So Good I Want To Share It
*******Internet Sites 2Good2Miss
********Thank You
********* Self Care Tip
********** Share A Tip

Miracles happen all of the time and its amazing how many we miss
because we are so focused on looking down instead of looking up.
One quick way to change your outlook and get a different view of
life is to focus on gratitude. We celebrate Thanksgiving in the
United States and Canada but why limit our gratitude to one day.

Start a daily routine either first thing in the morning, over
morning coffee, or last thing at night and start noticing with
gratitude. Begin to notice how other people help you, how you
have support and love, and how your life is working. Don't just
focus on help, or love, or material things.

Focus on how you have freedom and what your surroundings look
like. I'll bet you have access to a free library, a college or
school that gives low cost education, and running water and
electricity. Not all of the world lives in such luxury.

See... when we view our world with gratitude it becomes
endless and filled with possibilities.

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Words of Encouragement

I was reminded on a Caregiver Connection? teleconference support
call about how my husband's wellbeing improved with
stimulation and simple exercises. There are lots of
products and tools that made his life easier. Of course,
as his primary caregiver when his life was easier so was mine.

One great activity was a video tape that we found with easy
and comfortable exercises called Jodi Solove's Chair Dancing;
Sit Down and Tone Up. I recommend this program and it
is available in tape or DVD. It is the perfect exercise for
a loved one that needs to find activities to keep stimulated.
It is quite fun. You can get more information at:

Get More Chair Dancing Information

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Book Award

Georgia, a caregiver from Mississippi, will be sent
Gratitude; Affirming the Good Things in Life",
by Melody Beattie. Enjoy the read.

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Reminders

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association
919 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60611-1676
(800)272-3900
(312)335-8882 TDD
info@alz.org
www.alz.org

National Healthy Skin Month
American Academy of Dermatology
930 East Woodfield Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(888) 462-DERM
(847) 330-0230
www.aad.org

American Diabetes Month
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800)232-3472
www.diabetes.org

National Epilepsy Month
Epilepsy Foundation
4351 Garden City Drive
Landover, MD 20785
(800) EFA-1000
(800) 213-5821 Publications
postmaster@efa.org
www.epilepsyfoundation.org

National Marrow Awareness Month
National Marrow Donor Program?
3001 Broadway Street, N.E., Suite 500
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(800)627-7692
(800)MARROW2
rpinder@nmdp.org
www.marrow.org

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
2221 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 131
El Segundo, CA 90245
(877) 272-6226
(310) 725-0025
(310) 725-0029 Fax
information@pancan.org
www.pancan.org

Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, and Education
500 W. 8th Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
(800) 298-2436
(360) 696-2436
(360) 735-1305 Fax
info@alcase.org
www.alcase.org

National Hospice Month
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 625
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703)837-1500
info@nhpco.org
www.nhpco.org

Don't miss the December 2004 issue of "Caregiver Tips"
with tips and information on "Give Yourself a Gift."

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.

Meet once a week on the telephone and give yourself an hour to
clear away the guilt and stress of caregiving. Develop tools and
tricks to become more comfortable with caregiving. Learn life
skills that will change your life for the better.

Click this
link to get more information about teleclasses:

Get More Teleclass Information Here

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Messages for Caregivers

Don't miss another day of inspiration and support. Subscribe today and
get one free week of Once a Day and Twice on Sunday, Self Care Tips
for Caregivers. Here is what subscribers are saying about "Once a Day
and Twice on Sunday" Daily e-tips:

They're all so good, but I keep coming back to this one.. over and
over...I think I'll save it forever. Thank you. - Deborah

Good one! Thank you, Jo. Your kite metaphor applies to many of
our situations in life. I appreciate you sharing it with us.
All the best,Bob

Get your free Week of Tips

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So Good I Want To Share It

It Just Might Be Your Cup of Tea

British researchers have done a study on tea and have found that
compounds in tea are very similar to the drugs used for Alzheimer's
Disease. You can read more about the research at alfinfo.org.
The study may not be conclusive, but having a tea break can't hurt
because tea is full of antioxidants and compounds that help with aging.

Home Modification Checklist

Mark Warner A.I.A., NCARB and Ellen Warner, M.ED. have written a
great article on how to modify the home for Alzheimer's patients.
While you all may not be caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's
Disease, the article does address personal safety and common
modifications for the elderly.
The Caregiver's Guide to Homemodification

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Internet Sites 2Good2Miss

I mentioned exercise and wellbeing in an earlier section of this
newsletter. I would also like for you to visit the new site that I
recently finished for a product was developed because of my husband.
You will get to see some great pictures of Robert and also share in
the newest product from CareSsentials.

BedBall? is great for simple exercise and works well for people
confined to bed, with limited mobility or who use a wheelchair, or
for those that are recovering from a surgery or accident.

Learn more about BedBall? here:
Show me Robert's Pictures and Tell Me More about BedBall?

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Thank You

I want to thank everyone that sent an email, card, or note
about my husband's death. I really appreciate your support
and friendship. May you all be blessed for your generosity
and kindness.

I also want to thank those that have sent an email with a
request for information. I enjoy hearing from you and hope
that I can provide some support or help when you need it. Please
continue to send me your comments and requests.

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Self Care Tip

Dear Jo,

The Glad Game is good and I used it and many other things to
help me through the stress of caring for my dying brother last
year. I found that the movie Finding Nemo help me. I
watched the movie a lot because Dorie and Ellen's voice saying,
"...swimming, swimming, swimming, even when it's dark and scary...
sure bad things might happen... but if you just keep swimming you
will get through."

I love that movie. I'm still trying to be glad about things and keep
swimming. My brother died almost a year ago and I am still caring for
my 77 year old father. I have lots of swimming to do. -- Lola

Learn more about the Glad Game and how you can keep your head above water.

Read more tips at "Caregiver Tips" the CareSsentials' Blog.

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Share A Tip

Share a tip like Lola did above and receive a CareSsentials
Mirror/Sewing Kit. Have a great tip that you want to share on
self care, coping, or humor that has helped you through the day?
Share the tip with us and receive a self-care gift for your
kindness and generosity.

Email your tips to the link below and please include your mailing
address so I can mail you the mirror/sewing kit.

Share a Tip

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Take care and show your appreciation this month,

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Generosity is giving more than you can,
and pride is taking less than you need.
~ Kahil Gibran

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