Caregiver Tips January 2006Change is the Norm
Contents
*Self Care Focus: Change is the Norm
**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: Change is the NormBy Jo Cavanaugh
Abracadabra, Presto Chango. Watch closely and I will wave my magic wand. If only that was the norm. If only we had a magic wand. Think of all the things that we would change. Yes, change.
So I guess change isn't a bad thing. At least it isn't if you have that magic wand.
So why do some of us have the illusion that change isn't the norm? Every day we change. With every breath we change. Now we may not see these small changes but over an hour or a day we do see changes.
Why not make a dramatic change in how we perceive change and embrace it. Enjoy it. Look for it. Notice change and discover it's cycle. We would expend less energy, have a better time, and be more aware of our "Now."
Let's make 2006 the year of change. I'm not asking for anything dramatic, just the simple act of noticing change in your life. The simple act of enjoying the rhythms and cycles of everyday life.
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Words of Encouragement
6 Steps to Change
By Ada Gimlan
1. Realize you are stuck in habits. Become aware of what you have tried in the past that has not worked. Become willing to let go of what hasn’t worked while honoring previous attempts.
2. Become open to other perspectives. Focus on the solution not the problem.
3. Examine your beliefs and how they have and have not served you. Realize there is a choice of which path or action to take.
4. Evaluate your next steps; am I doing them out of choice, habit or fear? Check them out with others.
5. If you make mistakes, realize its part of the path. See what your part is and apologize where necessary. Acknowledge it. Learn from it – what’s the lesson in it.
6. Evaluate your plans by whether they fit your beliefs and values. Act accordingly.
Change and transformation are difficult – if it weren’t you would already be doing it. That is why we need support and guidance along the way. Are you ready to change?
To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.
— Anatole France
We need to let the old go, so the new can emerge.
— Peggy Bassett
Do you connect to any of these?
Is your life on hold until the time is right (and it's never right)?
Do you give your power away?
Do you take care of others needs and ignore your own?
Do you openly and honestly express your truth and opinions?
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
Are you ready and willing to change?
Are you willing to put as much energy into changing as you were into stagnating?
Are you ready to decide?
Ada Gimlan is a Personal Inner Power Advocate. She works with people who are making changes in their lives - transitioning their careers, connecting to life purpose, looking for new directions, losing weight etc. - people who are looking for authenticity and fulfillment in their lives. Ada's approach is intuitive - coaching you toward reconnecting with your own inner knowingness, power and wisdom. Align who you are with what you do.
To learn more go to http://www.InnerCoreCoaching.com
Receive a free Daily Checklist that will keep you moving towards your goals, by signing up for my newsletter http://www.innercorecoaching.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ada_Gimlan
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Book Award
Marta, a caregiver from Pasadena, California will be sent Ask and You Shall Succeed, by Ken D. Foster. Enjoy the read.
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Reminders
Don't forget that January is:
Cervical Health Awareness Month
National Cervical Cancer Coalition
7247 Hayvenhurst Avenue, Suite A-7
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 909-3849
(818) 780-8199 Fax
info@nccc-online.org
www.nccc-online.org/awareness.php
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(888) M-O-DIMES
askus@marchofdimes.com
www.marchofdimes.com
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Prevent Blindness America
211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 331-2020
info@preventblindness.org
www.preventblindness.org
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
American Association of Blood Banks
8101 Glenbrook Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 215-6526
publicrelations@aabb.org
www.aabb.org
Thyroid Awareness Month
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist
1000 Riverside Avenue, Suite 205
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 353-7878
(904) 353-8185 Fax
info@aace.com
www.aace.com
Don't miss the February 2006 issue of "Caregiver Tips" with tips and information on "Love’s Great Gifts."
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
Caregiver Burnout: Ten Coping Tips
By Laura Gillson
Whether you are an unpaid family caregiver or a professional in-home health care provider, you are most likely willing to admit you have on occasion been near the breaking point. The demands placed on a caregiver can be all at once physically exhausting and emotionally overwhelming. Unrealistic expectations piled on you from case managers, agency supervisors, your client’s family or the client him or herself can lead to workplace fatigue. When you become aware of your own feelings of anger, depression, or unresolved job frustration, this can mean something more serious. Workplace burnout is a type of stress that is potentially dangerous. Here are ten tips that will help you to identify coping strategies to alleviate caregiver burnout.
Do not ignore your own physical symptoms. A nagging headache, backache or upset stomach could become debilitating if left unchecked.
Participate in a professional network. Newsletters, peer groups, chats and online forums can be great sources of information, as well as places to vent frustration.
Consult with medical professionals about burnout issues. While stress is normal, burnout can be dangerous both for you and those for whom you provide care.
Attend a support group to receive feedback and to learn coping skills. Others in your situation are often a wonderful resource for information, inspiration and strength.
Do not allow yourself to become isolated from your own life. You are not what you do for a living. Stay involved with your own activities and interests.
Find ways to share the focus of your responsibilities. Consult with family members or co-workers on rotating duties to keep your work fresh and interesting.
Establish "quiet time" each day for rest, reading, catching up on your email, or even yoga or meditation.
Get a weekly massage. This may seem frivolous; however, even a short neck and shoulder massage can relieve physical tension and be rejuvenating.
Assess how often you can help. Learn your limits. If you have trouble saying “no,” create a written contract for services upon which you and your client can agree. This contract can act as a safeguard against others who might be tempted to take advantage of you.
Evaluate your expertise. Stay current. Enhance your education. Seek instruction, training, and advice from the physician, nurses and home care agencies Involved in your client’s care.
Locate local resources for respite care, also called adult day care. This is a service that allows for a family member or care provider to get a break for a few hours during the day.
Finally, learn to identify the various ways in which stress affects you. Insomnia, irritability, recurring colds or other illnesses, negativity, hopelessness or feeling out of control can all be warning signs. These burnout signals can lead to a disassociation from your work, which can become the cause of accident or injury to yourself or your client. Take care of yourself, so that you are better able to be the source of strength and inspiration for your own family and friends, in addition to being better able to meet the needs of your client.
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
Laura Gillson is a speaker, author and educator specializing in disability awareness, advocacy, accessibility and assistive technology. For corporate, community or caregiver training, visit Eloquent Insights at http://www.eloquentinsights.com If you need help with in-home care, you’ll find it at In-Home Insights at http://www.inhomeinsights.com Finally, you’ll discover a site for sore eyes at Accessible Insights at http://www.accessibleinsights.com The author's email address is lgillson@eloquentinsights.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Gillson
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So Good I Want To Share It
 
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Internet Sites 2Good2Miss
Read Stories of Inspiration
Bob Perks is one of my favorite authors. He provides short stories of inspiration and hope. Read his stories on Beliefnet at:
Stories of Inspiration by Bob Perks
Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts Deadline
For all of you that have pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts with your employer to save on medical expenses, don't forget that you have a deadline of March 31st to use the 2005 funds. One way to use funds is to stock up on approved medical supplies. DrugStore.com can help with their special sale of approved supplies.
Don't wait, use your 2005 pre-tax Flexible Spending Account funds
and save at Drugstore.com! (Ends 3-31-06)
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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
Make one resolution that you can keep this year. Give yourself more time to do what you want. That can be fifteen minutes or a hour every day that you control. Don't let caregiving become the excuse for poor health, depression, or sad feelings. You do have choices.
Start with five minutes. Here is a guided meditation that will get you started on "Happy New You", by Rev. Vic Fuhrman & Barbara Biziou with Music by Barry Goldstein.
Happy New You
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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 love yourself this month,
Jo Cavanaugh
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