Nothing changed in the stores as a result of the meeting. But so much has happened in our communities. Perhaps the shopping experience hasn’t changed yet, but the number of family caregivers continues to grow (National Alliance for Caregiving estimates you number about 66 million in the U.S.).

So, I wonder: Where do you shop for caregiving supplies (incontinence products, clothes, personal care items, medications)? Which stores (in your community and online) keep you as a customer? Have you found one store (in your community or online) where you can purchase all the supplies you need? How can stores better meet your needs? Share your thoughts in our comments section, below, and vote in our poll.

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• Your Caree Declines, Your Health Care Costs Increase (caregiving.com)
• Poll: Does Your Doctor Know You Are a Family Caregiver? (caregiving.com)
• Book Talk (caregiving.com)

I wonder: Does your doctor know you are a family caregiver? Meaning, have you told your doctor that you care for a member of your friend or for a friend?

Please vote in our poll, below. And, if you have additional thoughts about your relationship with your doctor, please share in our comments section, below.

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• No Regrets (Fingers Crossed) (caregiving.com)

Caregiving has some interesting benefits. Consider:

1. Family caregivers have a lower mortality rate than non-caregivers.

2. Family caregivers are physically stronger than non-caregivers.

3. Family caregivers scored better on memory tests than non-caregivers.

4. Caregiving can lengthen your life. (You can listen to my 2009 talk show interview with the researcher who research offered this conclusion here.)

Let’s do an informal poll: Consider your friends, family members and colleagues who are non-caregivers. How do you feel your mental, physical and spiritual health compares to them? Please cast your vote in our poll, below. And, feel free to share any thoughts in our comments. (And, be sure to listen to the 2009 talk show; you’ll find it very interesting).

Updates

1. Help get the word out about Job Jar Day! On October 22, we’re encouraging family and friends to help the family caregiver in their lives. Feel free to share our press release on Twitter, Facebook and with your local media.

2. Our next #carechat takes place on Sunday, October 16, at 8 p.m. ET. We’ll talk about how to cope with the changes in caregiving. To join us, just go to tweetchat.com, log in with your Twitter credentials and enter our hashtag: carechat.

3. Our next live call-in episode of Your Caregiving Journey airs October 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Call in and share your answers and insights to this question: What’s scary about caregiving? Call (646) 652-4944 to share during our live show. Or, join our show’s chat room to post your insight. If you’re on Twitter, you can tweet during the show using this hashtag: #caretalk.

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• Caregiving can cause weight gain.
• Caregiving can make friends and family disappear.
• Caregiving can interfere with your ability to enjoy down time.

So, in this week’s poll, I’d love to know: What’s the worst side effect of caregiving? Please vote (you can choose as many options as you’d like) and share any additional thoughts in our comments section.

Take Our Poll

Resources

• We’re taking submissions for our Caregiving Art Show and our Help book! Be sure to share your art and your story with the world.
• Our 2011 Family Caregiver Survey report offers a snapshot into the day and life of a family caregiver. Purchase the report for just $9.95 here. (Did you complete the survey? You get the report for free; email Denise to request.)
• Sign up for one of our three-week caregiving classes, including Three-Word Journaling. The classes take place conveniently over the phone and help you feel better exactly where you are. Register here.
• In our annual family caregiver survey, we asked, “What’s the worst question you get asked?” And, wow, you told us the doozy of a question you get asked about your caregiving situation. In our next free, 45-minute webinar, we’ll share the worst questions you get asked (including “Why don’t you put your caree in a nursing home?”) and help you find your powerful answer. Join our webinar on Wednesday, July 27, at 11 a.m. CT (Noon ET, 9 a.m. PT) by visiting this page.

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In light of this research, we ask in this week’s poll, sponsored by Caregiving.com and eCareDiary.com: Do you and your caree receive proper nutrition? Please vote and share in our comments section below.

Do You and Your Caree Get Proper Nutrition?survey software

“Hospice amazing, the medical support I’ve looked for all year”

I’ve not experienced hospice directly but the overwhelming majority of accounts that I read and hear say the same thing.  It begs the question, Why? Is it that with hospice finally comes a much longed for focus more on the patient and family and away from the disease?

What is it that Hospice gets right that traditional medicine seems to be missing?

Have You Ever Had Trouble Paying for Your Caree’s Care?survey software

Resources

• Caregiving Comforts, quick listens to bring comfort; listen here.

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Please vote below and share any additional thoughts in our comments section, below.

Updates

• Today is Liliana Day! We’re helping Liliana go back to school. You can help, too. Read her story and donate (just $5 makes a difference!) here.

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