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Managing The Stress ~ Making The Decisions ~ Discovering The Meaning |
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Caregiving |
Solutions To Your Caregiving Situations Throughout Your Caregiving Years |
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Giving meaning to the day By Denise M. Brown As my friend lamented, the loss of our ability to communicate with our care recipients the way we used to can be devastating. But it doesn't have to permanent. The key is learning to communicate at a level that your care recipient can relate. For instance, perhaps your care recipient has difficulty focusing on the here-and-now, but loves to reminisce about long-ago times. Check the Almanac in your daily paper for events that occurred when your care recipient was younger. Based on these events, you can begin a conversation with your care recipient: "Today is July 23. Today is the day that..... That must have been wonderful. Were you there...." Looking through old photographs is another great way to unlodge memories and spark a discussion. The Christmas before my great uncle died, we looked at old photographs my parents had of my uncle and his brothers and sisters. Before we sat down to our meal, our uncle reminisced about his brothers and sisters, his parents' home and the life as he knew it as a young man. His memories made our holiday. Music can have a powerful effect on all of us. Playing Big Band tapes, religious songs and old favorites will help your care recipient remember pleasant times. As you integrate activities, consider your care recipient's experiences: Did she enjoy playing cards? Did she enjoying cooking? Was he a sports fan? Let your care recipient's past dictate your present activities. |
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