"Harvest Time"
Caregiver Tips©
September 2005
Contents
*Self Care Focus: Harvest Time
**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
Self Care Focus: Harvest TimeBy Jo Cavanaugh
What is there to harvest when you are occupied day and night with caregiving for a loved one? Your harvest is based on how you view your situation and the level of self care that you allow yourself. As a caregiver, I was never more alone or feeling depressed than when I allowed myself to become overtired and run down. It was then that I realized that I need to get some rest and respite from my caregiving. I was no good to anyone in my fatigued and over-extended state.
As we approach the change of seasons on September 20th, take some time to reflect and think about what you are harvesting with your caregiving. Is there a bounty of self discovery and a renewal with increased self care? or are you turning over fallow ground because you are tired and unable to see the love and joy that you provide for your care receiver?
I would wish the magical discovery that I found with my caregiving... the ability to see that I was important and that my self care was the key to being a great caregiver. Try it for a week and see how a change in focus can make an amazing change in you and your harvest this September.
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Words of Encouragement
Nature has a clear and strong message about life and how we can adapt to change. As we near the change in season to Fall in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere the message from nature is very clear. There are cycles and they provide for intervals of time when we enjoy what is.
When you look at your caregiving, it also has cycles or seasons. If you are new to caregiving it can be so strange and overwhelming. Then, as you become more familiar with caregiving you ease into the stage of guarded acceptance. This cycle can last many years, as it did for 19 years with my husband, or it can be short lived.
There are cycles to caregiving. Allow yourself the time and patience to notice where you are in caregiving and also to enjoy what is. Just as we celebrate the first blooms of spring and the warmth of the summer sun, you can find events or things that mark the joy and love in caregiving.
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Book Award
Barbara, a caregiver from Arizona, will be sent Ask and You Shall Succeed, by Ken D. Foster. Enjoy the read.
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Reminders
Don't forget that September is:
Baby Safety Month
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
17000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
(856) 638-0420
(856) 439-0525 Fax
achezem@ahint.com
www.jpma.org
Home and Sports Eye Safety Month
Prevent Blindness America
500 East Remington Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(800) 331?2020
info@preventblindness.org
www.preventblindness.org
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
230 West Monroe, Suite 2528
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 578-1439
(312) 578-9769 Fax
info@thegcf.org
www.thegcf.org
Healthy Aging Month
Educational Television Network, Inc.
P.O. Box 442
Unionville, PA 19375
(610) 793-0979
(610) 793-0978 Fax
info@healthyaging.net
www.healthyaging.net
Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(800) 955-4572
(914) 821-8806
(914) 821-3607 Fax
infocenter@leukemia-lymphoma.org
www.lls.org
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
(301) 592-8573
(240) 629-3426 Fax
nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
National Food Safety Education Month
International Food Safety Council
National Restauant Association Education Foundation
175 West Jackson, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 715-1010 x374
Bsirt@foodtrain.org
www.nraef.org/index.asp
National Sickle Cell Month
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.
16 South Calvert Street, Suite 600
Baltimore, MD 21202
(800) 421-8453
(410) 528-1555
scdaa@sicklecelldisease.org
www.SickleCellDisease.org
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
500 NE Spanish River Boulevard, Suite 8
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(888) OVARIAN
(561) 393-0005
nocc@ovarian.org
www.ovarian.org
National 5 A Day Month
National Cancer Institute/ Produce for Better Health Foundation
6130 Executive Boulevard EPN 4050
Bethesda, MD 20892
(800) 4-CANCER
(301) 496-8520
(800) 332-8615 TTY
www.5aday.gov
National Pediculosis Prevention Month/ Head Lice Prevention Month
National Pediculosis Association, Inc.
50 Kearney Road
Needham, MA 02494
(781) 499-6487
(781) 499-8129 Fax
npa@headlice.org
www.headlice.org
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
National Prostate Cancer Coalition
1154 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
(888) 245-9455
(202) 463-9455
info@pcacoalition.org
www.pcacoalition.org
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
(800) 729-6686
(301) 443-5052
recoverymonthinfo@health.org
www.recoverymonth.gov
National Osteopathic Medicine Month
American Osteopathic Association
142 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2864
(800) 621-1773
(312) 202-8000
(312) 202-8204 Fax
info@osteopathic.org
www.osteopathic.org
Sports and Home Eye Safety Month
Prevent Blindness America
500 East Remington Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(800) 331-2020
info@preventblindness.org
www.preventblindness.org
Reye's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Reye's Syndrome Foundation
P.O. Box 829
Bryan, OH 43505-0829
(800) 233-7393
(419) 636-2679
nrsf@reyessyndrome.org
www.reyessyndrome.org
National Menopause Awareness Month
Office of Women's Health
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
(888) 463-6332
(301) 827-0926 Fax
(301) 827-0350
www.fda.gov/womens/menopause
Don't miss the October 2005 issue of "Caregiver Tips" with tips and information
on "Fall Back."
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
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So Good I Want To Share It
Start by Being Happy
Are you tired, sick or unsure of how to get your life back? I'm working on a program called,
"Start by Being Happy" and it has shown me how to be more happy with the way my life is. My friend John has developed methods and an easy-to-follow system to increase your wellbeing.
I find that it's impossible to not be happy after working with his program. It's a great habit
to have!
Start by being happy right now.
I have found that my life just gets better as I work through the program. The program is as simple as it sounds. You have the choice to feel good or to feel bad. The CD's show you how you can use simple techniques to feel good. Don't take my word, get this program, John has a money back guarantee.
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Internet Sites 2Good2Miss
Anyone that has seen the CareSsentials logo knows that I am crazy about hummingbirds. So it is with great delight that I share a site that has pictures of the "Birth of a Hummingbird." It is such a joy to see how nature provides for life in a diverse and creative way. Enjoy...
View a Birth of a Hummingbird
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Thank You
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
Assisted Living: Elderly Loved Ones' Safety is Focus
By Jacqueline Marcell
Convincing elderly loved ones to move from the comfort of the home they've known for years into an assisted living situation can be one of the toughest hurdles for families to face. The best way is to start the conversation sooner than later, while your loved ones are still in good health. Getting them used to the idea beforehand will make it easier when the time comes. But what if you haven't discussed it nor made plans for a transition? If it is time for your loved ones to alter their living situation--here are some things you should do.
Think Safety First
Keep in mind that your loved ones' safety is the most important thing. If you know that they cannot remain in their own home safely, don't let your emotions override what you know needs to be done. Don't wait for a broken hip, a car accident, medicine overdose, or a crisis call before you step in. Recognize that when you were a child, your parents would have done everything possible to ensure your safety. Now, as hard as it is, you have to be the "parent", and make the best decisions for them.
Consider a Multi-Level Facility
A multi-level facility offers additional services, preventing the turmoil of another move if your loved ones' health declines. Many seniors start out with their own private apartment and progress through stages of assisted living and eventually to skilled nursing and dementia care, all within the same facility. They may be able to bathe, dress, and take their own medications now, but it's a blessing to know that services can be added if needed. And many times the friends they have made along the way progress along with them, providing the comfort of familiar faces.
Get References
The best way to evaluate a facility is to talk with families who have a loved one living there. Drop in on the weekends during peak visiting hours and discreetly ask about the accommodations, service, activities, cleanliness, food (be sure to eat a meal there yourself), reliability, personnel, etc. If they had it to do again, would they move their loved one there? What do they wish they had known? Also, ask the administrators if there are any liens or lawsuits filed, and ask to review their licensing and certification reports. Also, check with your local Area Agency on Aging and their long-term care ombudsman's office. If the facility will not put in writing that there aren't any legal problems--keep looking!
Ask About Activities
Adult children are often filled with guilt for moving their parents, that is, until they see them flourishing in a new environment, making friends, and participating in activities they haven't enjoyed for years. Ask the activity director what/when activities are offered, such as: field trips, games, crafts, educational classes, singing, dancing, gardening, cooking, bingo, exercising, movies, interaction with children and animals, etc? Be sure to monitor the director and the frequency of these activities regularly.
Create a Relationship
Once you've selected the right place, ask the administrators to help convince your loved one to move, as they are very familiar with this problem and deal with it daily. Ask if someone can call your parents to try to develop a relationship over the phone. Perhaps he or she could drop by (while you just happen to be there) to invite your parents to a get-together. A few days later, casually drive you parents there, just to say hello to that person who was so kind to drop by. Seeing a familiar face is usually very helpful. Remember, any kind of change can be very scary for an elder. Take things slow, gradually reinforcing the idea of moving, with their safety your goal.
Create a Need
Another idea is to have the administrator ask for your loved one's "help? with something. Could they, for example, help with the bingo, cooking or singing classes? Perhaps they can help prepare lunch for the seniors there. Telling your loved ones that they are "needed" and giving them a "job" will help them feel more comfortable about going there. They will make friends, which can then ease the transition to moving there. Also, ask their doctors to encourage the move, emphasizing safety.
Reach for Support
Realize that since the beginning of time, everyone who has ever been lucky enough to have their parents reach old age has experienced the pain of watching their once-competent loved ones decline. We all know it is a part of life, but there are no words that can prepare us for the sorrow. Reach out for help from family and friends, join a support group right away--and don't even think you can do it alone!
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Jacqueline Marcell is a national speaker on eldercare and the author of, "Elder Rage", a Book-of-the-Month Club selection being considered for a feature film. Over fifty endorsements include: Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin and Dr. Dean Edell. Jacqueline also hosts a radio program heard worldwide on: http://www.wsradio.com/copingwithcaregiving . For more information: http://www.ElderRage.com
Permission is granted to publish all/part of this article free of charge as long as: the author's byline is included, the links are live, and the author is notified: J.Marcell@cox.net or 949-975-1012.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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Share A Tip
Share a tip 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 don't forget to share your harvest of caregiving,
Jo Cavanaugh
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The best portion of a good man's life is the little,
nameless,
unremembered acts of kindness and love.
-- William Wordsworth
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