We Break for Fall!: How Will You Fall Into a Healthy Habit?

It’s tops on our list: Eating right and exercising. But, somehow, as the day (and days) go by, it stays on the list but not in our life. So, today, how will you make a healthy habit a part of your day? And, how will you make it easy on yourself so it really becomes a habit you fell into? Share in our comments section for a chance to win one a gift check for a Butterball turkey. And, congrats to NJ, who won...

Ups and Downs

Why must life have so many ups and downs? For the last two weeks I feel like I have been running around like a chicken without a head. Not a good feeling, I might say. Just last week I rushed all day at work in order to be able to get out an hour early and take Mom to therapy. I didn’t eat all day and rushed home to pick my up and barely made it to therapy. Once we get there the receptionist lets me know that...

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Finally Mom was moved to the nursing home near me! After much convincing (and a lot of Tylenols!) the move came just a little while ago. Mom seems in better spirits and it is only a 10 minute walk from my house to where the home is. I waited for her to get there and was handed paperwork and more paperwork from admissions that needs to be filled out by tomorrow before 5. It’s like a book! She just got there...

Processing Emotions

After 4 years I took advantage of respite care for Hubby. Today he resides elsewhere for the week. Today I returned home with a need to renew my spirit and mind. I’m very tired all the way to my heart. I need this break as does Hubby. Tonight I have no caregiving responsibilities for Hubby and emotions of leaving him & his concern that I would not be back have jumbled up into a mess of tears. What a...

One Word to Start Your Journal

On Saturday, I presented a workshop at a Family Caregivers Conference in Gwinnett County, just outside of Atlanta. My presentation, “Secret Stress Buster—Embracing Limits,” helped attendees understand the importance of recognizing their limits in caregiving. We think we have an infinite amount of patience or tolerance or strength or compassion. We are perfectly imperfect, which means we have...

We Break for Fall! How Will You Add Color?

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 add 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 a chance to win a gift check for a...

Fruit Salad

Friday was the last day of a seven week class we were attending at the Alzheimer’s Association with the other members of Jump Start. You need to take the class before you can more into using their regular programs. It educates the caregiver and caree on the diagnosis, then the group breaks into two groups, and the caregivers discuss other issues while the carees do their thing. Steve and I took this class in...

We Break for Fall!: How Do You Save Time?

We break for fall starts today! Our week of special events hopes to help you find a new perspective or a better way. Every day for the next week, we’ll pose a question on Caregiving.com. We’ll choose a daily winner from those who post an answer; the winner will receive a gift check for a Butterball turkey. (Yep, we’re giving away turkeys!!) For a chance to win, just post your answer each day in our...

Update on my Life

I thought I would let you all know what is going on in my chaotic life. Nicole came down with a virus on Friday so she hasn’t been feeling good and with little or no sleep this doesn’t make things much better. I worry so much when she gets sick as the littlest thing could put her in the hospital. I haven’t taken her to the doctor yet as I know several other children in our homeschool group who...

Frustrated and Confused

Today was supposed to be the day I found out whether mom was accepted to the nursing home in my area. I planned this all so Mom could be closer to where I lived and I could see her more often. Several times last week Mom mentioned how she wished she saw me more. I basically did everything to put the plan in motion to do this. I received a call from the hospital today stating Mom would not be going to the new place...

You’re Still Disabled

In late September we received a letter from my husband’s long term disability (LTD) insurance company. They needed some paperwork completed by us and Steve’s doctors and then returned. It was supposed by be back within two weeks, by a certain date. The date they gave wasn’t even two weeks from the date of the letter, so I don’t understand their math. I called and explained this and was told that a second...

The Story of Nicole’s Life

For Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month I thought that I would write the story of Nicole’s life to raise awareness and maybe help someone else. So here goes… warning…. this is long. When I found out that I was pregnant with Nicole it was one of the happiest days of my life. We had tried for seven long years with many tears on my part before I gave it over to God. I had an uneventful pregnancy...

What Do You Know About Caregiving That the World Doesn’t?

Last night, our live call-in talk show aired. We asked you to share your answer to this question: What do you know about caregiving that the world doesn’t? You can listen to our show via the player below. So… If you didn’t get a chance to share during the show, we’d love to know: What do you know about caregiving that the world doesn’t? Please share your thoughts in our comments...

Update

Hi all: Life has been crazy for awhile and was hoping it would settle down but unfortunately the roller coaster ride just keeps going. Back in September Mom was transferred back and forth to the hospital every two weeks. At that point we decided to switch her to another nursing home because something just did not seem right. In the new home, her blood pressure seemed to be a lot better and it was maybe 1 or 2 days...

Tell Us: How Do You Start Your Day?

Yesterday, on Your Caregiving Journey, Elizabeth Lombardo, our happiness expert, joined me for a discussion on how to start your day. You can listen to our who via the player below. (You can view Elizabeth on the Today Show by visiting her website.) The inspiration for our show was a recent article in The Wall Street Journal that talked about the importance of setting the right mood for your day in the morning....

Presidential Proclamation, National Family Caregivers Month

NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH, 2011 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION Across our country, millions of family members, neighbors, and friends provide care and support for their loved ones during times of need. With profound compassion and selflessness, these caregivers sustain American men, women, and children at their most vulnerable moments, and through their devoted acts, they...

Happiness Project: November

In November, our action word is Share. With forgiving and understanding behind us, let’s share what we’ve learned. I’m going to share: 1. My lessons learned from working with family caregivers; 2. What’s important to me with those who are important to me. Please share your commitments in November in our comments section, below. Would you like to join our Happiness Project, now in its second...

When It’s Just You and Your Caree, How Do You Celebrate a Holiday?

Tammy, one of our Facebook fans, posed a question on our page: As usual, no one will be up for Thanksgiving. Any ideas on how to make it seem like an actual holiday for my folks? It’s the same with Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July. What do you suggest? When it’s just you and your caree, how do you celebrate a holiday so it feels like a holiday? Please share your thoughts and suggestions in our comments...

Keep Your Cool When You Get Side-Swiped

Often, the relatives you see the least can be the family members who try your patience and sanity the most. It’s your husband’s sister, who calls only twice a year, but insists on chastising you for not providing the “best care” for her brother. These encounters don’t seem so bad over the telephone. But, face-to-face, well, those are the run-ins you just dread. Keep in mind that these...

Your Wish List: Gift-Giving Ideas for the Family Caregiver

This time of year it seems as if you only hear one question: “What do you want for Christmas or Hanukkah?” We’ve come up with some gift ideas for the family caregiver. 1. Coupons for a monthly massage. 2. A gift certificate to pay for four hours of companion or home health aide service. 3. Payment to cover two days at the local adult day center, so you’ll have two days to enjoy. 4....

Bah Humbug? A True Tale of Christmas

Image via Wikipedia For some reason, we believe the best time of the year should be the holiday season: When we enjoy friends and families, receive wonderful presents, eat amazing food without gaining any weight. Sounds like a Christmas tale, doesn’t it? It seems expectations imposed on us—from advertising on television, in department stores—that the holiday season is full of love, joy and...

Holiday Stress Busters

You’re already walking your “holiday” walk—slumped forward, as if the weight of planning and preparing for the holidays rests squarely on your shoulders. The approaching holiday season is stressful anyway, but with your concerns and worries and caregiving responsibilities, the stress can be overwhelming. When planning for this year’s holiday season, keep in mind the real purpose of the...