Being Thankful

In two days it will be Thanksgiving and every year I look back and think about what I have to be thankful for. This year Thanksgiving takes on a whole different meaning. Even though Mom has been through so much the past several years, this year was different. I had to face the fact that she almost died. I had been with her every step of the way and seen some things I was not ready to handle. It has been a...

Today is Kiss a Caregiver Day!

Today is Kiss a Caregiver Day, a day for you to receive love and accolades for all you do. Consider yourself kissed: XXXXXXX And hugged: OOOOOOO And, know that, even though you may not hear it very often (and often enough), what you do is wonderful, heroic and nothing less than admirable. You are treasures to your family, to your community, to us. Share the love!: Please feel free to forward these hugs and kisses...

Our Carees’ Web

On the eve of my mother-in-law’s arrival (for Thanksgiving) come a lot of different feelings. We only see Greg’s mother about once every other year. I don’t know her very well and neither do the kids. She seldom calls. We tried calling regularly for a while, but it didn’t seem to help get a routine started. Greg’s dad passed away two years ago. My father  passed away in 1990, so he...

Bridging the Technological Divide

Seniors are becoming Internet savvy at an increasingly rapid rate. Last year Nielsen reported that nearly 18 million seniors were actively using the Internet, up 55% over a five year period. They are searching, buying, emailing, and networking. However, what about the 22 million seniors who are not using the Internet? Many are unwilling or unable to use a computer but would benefit from the sense of connection...

A Holiday Contest: The Craziest Comment from a Family Member

Today, on Your Caregiving Journey, Dr. Eliabeth Lombardo, author of “A Happy You–Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness,” joined us to share tips on how to have happy moments during a holiday season that just seems to be about stress. During our discussion, a visitor to our chat room said she is going to carry a paper and pen during her holiday get-togethers and jot down the odd, bizarre and...

Keeping Love Alive With Cognitive Decline

This morning on Your Caregiving Journey, Janet Cromer, author of “Professor Cromer Learns to Read: A Couple’s New Life after Brain Injury,” shared ideas on how to keep love alive when your spouse has a cognitive decline. You can listen to our show via the player at the bottom of this post. While our conversation focused on spouses, you’ll find our show helpful regardless of your relationship to your...

You’ll Be Okay

Earlier this month, we launched our You’ll Be Okay campaign. We’re asking former family caregivers (Godspeed Caregivers) to share their stories with today’s family caregivers. The message of each video is simple: You’ll be okay. Today, we’re featuring a video from Sharon...

Tomorrow is Kiss a Caregiver Day!

Do you know a family caregiver? Chances are you do. Survey data released from the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) indicates that almost 54 million Americans provide care to an elderly, disabled or chronically ill friend or family member. November 23 is your day to show your appreciation for the family caregiver in your life. And, it’s easy–all you have to do is give him or her a kiss! But...

Mom’s Birthday Dinner

Today we were supposed to take mom out for dinner for her birthday. This morning she was having problems swallowing a few pills and she wound up getting very sick. Whenever she takes her medication, she is always laying down.  She refuses to sit up when taking them. I told her she needs to sit up or she will choke on them. It’s getting hard to deal with at times.  She doesn’t listen to me when I try...

You May Now Disembark the Emotional Roller Coaster

Unbeknown to me, a couple of days ago I got in line for the Emotional Roller Coaster (ERC) here at Disabilityland. Most exciting rides come with a warning that you shouldn’t ride it if you are pregnant, have back or heart conditions, or experience motion sickness. This ride had no such warning, and in fact, I didn’t even know I was in line for the ERC. A few packets of paperwork had arrived this week. ...

Feelings

Today I went to the mall to buy a coat that my mom had wanted for her birthday.  Have you ever felt like you were someplace physically but not mentally? Today was one of those days.  I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and couldn’t shake it.  A few days ago I was unsure as to whether I wanted to continue blogging.  As much as blogging was helpful to me, I realized it meant I had to face my...

We’re All Doing Our Best

Today, on Table Talk, Harriet Di Cerbo joined me to talk about the idea that everyone is doing their best. This can be a hard premise to swallow when you’re the only one who’s taken on caregiving responsibilities in your family. How in the world can other family members really be doing their best? You can listen to our show via the player at the bottom of the post. I began our discussion by sharing...

We Break For Fall: How Will You Play Today?

It’s Saturday, the day we focus on taking a few moments of happiness for ourselves. And, today, we end We Break for Fall! with a playful request: How will you play today? Play a game, play your favorite music, play hookey from housework, play a great movie. Whatever you play, make sure it adds to your happiness. Today’s the last chance to win one of our beautiful gift boxes. So, post a comment for a...

A Story Unfolds

We’ve been participating in a small group Bible study through our church. The small group meets at our house on Monday nights. It’s been a nice way to join in and get to know others in our community. It’s been good for the kids and for Greg and I. Our new study is written by John Eldredge. He is talking about how each of our lives is a story. And, how we have been invited to take part in a...

We Break for Fall! What Will You Drop?

In autumn, the trees drop their leaves so they’re ready for what’s next. So, today, which ongoing argument or disagreement (it could be the one you have with yourself) will you drop? When you drop what no longer serves you, you move in to your future. Tell us what you’ll drop for a chance to win one of our beautiful gift boxes. (Note: I’m sharing the photo The Unit Known as Shandi shared on...

You’ll Be Okay

Earlier this month, we launched our You’ll Be Okay campaign. We’re asking former family caregivers (Godspeed Caregivers) to share their stories with today’s family caregivers. The message of each video is simple: You’ll be okay. Today, we’re featuring a video from John...

Mom’s Birthday

Today is my moms 71st birthday. I never thought she would make it to this point as it was quite frightening throughout the year with her condition. Mom wanted to cancel going to dialysis today and I had to convince her to go. She argued with me about how it was her birthday and she wanted to spend it at home. The last time she was hospitalized was on my birthday back in June and I told her – we all have to do...

What’s It all Mean?

This morning, Anna Stookey joined me on Your Caregiving Journey for a fascinating discussion on finding meaning during life’s tough times. I think you’ll find this show really insightful. You can listen via the player below. During our discussion, Anna suggested we look for our answers to these questions: What frames my life? What’s my life purpose? When we look to find these answers, we...

Holiday Survival: Your Best Creative, Affordable Gift Ideas

G-J sent me an email after listening to yesterday’s show with Ellen Rogin. Have you ever had people post ideas for creative, reasonable gifts, she asked? So, I’d love to know: What suggestions do you have for creative, affordable gifts? Share your tips here throughout the holiday season.

We Break for Fall!: Today, How Will You Add Color?

Image via Wikipedia We’re breaking for fall, the season of colors. The golds, reds and yellows paint our view during the height of the autumn season. Once September comes, it’s what we look for: The fall colors. So, how can you color to your day? How can you punch up your surroundings so you look forward to seeing colors that remind you of nature’s miracle? Share in our comments section for...

Tonight

I wish I could turn back the clock to yesterday where all felt right with the world. I didn’t sleep very well last night and felt horrible today. Everything seemed to irritate me. Tonight when I came home my mother’s aide mentioned that she would not be able to help me the week I go on vacation. She was my backup in case I couldn’t get her into a respite. I know my cruise is still months away but...

Dear Denise: She Calls, I Blow Up. What Do I Do?

Dear Denise, I am having so much trouble dealing with my mom’s cancer and dementia. I just cannot keep my cool. She makes things up and tells me the nurses and doctors told her then I have to follow up and find out she got it all wrong. I get so stressed out. She calls and blows my whole day for me and I cannot get over it. Hi, You’re in a stressful situation, trying to do your best when it can be hard...