So, our wonderful Karen, who cared for her mother and brother, will be helping out. She’s taking on the role of ambassador for two of our groups: General support group (everyone is welcome to join) and our Caring for Parents group. Karen helped out with our support groups before we moved them to the website (we used to communicate via email messages). You’ll know Karen from her comments and her blog; she’s a wealth of information and support. As ambassador, she’ll welcome the groups’ new members and keep the conversation going. She’ll be a terrific ambassador for these two groups. I’m so grateful for her help.

Karen joins our two other volunteers: Bette, ambassador for our Caring for Parents and Kids group, and Jane, our Welcome ambassador (she reaches out to all our new members).

You can learn more about our support groups, including how to join, here.

(FYI: Did you know you can read about each new member? Just scroll down and look for the list of new members on your right-hand side of the site. Click on the member’s name; once directed to the member’s page, click on “Profile” to read his or her story. If you’d like to connect with the member, just send him or her a message. You have to be logged in and a member to send a message. And, be sure to update your own profile. Once you log in, click on “Edit Profile” under “Profile” under “My Account,” which you’ll on the top left of the site.)

Would you like to help out with our online support groups? I’d love your help!! Just send me an email with the subject line “Volunteering.”

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1. 33% Off Two Coaching Calls with Me
Normally, two 30-minute coaching calls costs $150. Today (and today only), you can receive two coaching calls for just $100. Purchase this two-call package today and then schedule your calls at your convenience, including on weeknights and weekends. For instance, you can schedule one call for this week and the second call for next month. You can schedule both calls back to back so you’d have an hour with me. You can schedule one call for tomorrow and then save the second for when you need it.

You can use your coaching calls to resolve a worry or develop a solution. We also can work to:

• Create coping strategies to use on your bad days;
• Develop communication skills to use with difficult family members;
• Find more time in your day to invest in your needs and interests;
• Gain a healthy perspective on a challenging issue.

You can purchase as many two-session packages as you’d like. You can purchase a package for yourself and one for a friend. Or, purchase one package that you’ll split with a friend (you each take one session and split the costs). And, take advantage of this price; it’s a once-a-year deal. Sale ends July 15.

2. Book Sale
Save 20% on on any (or all!) of my books: The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey; Take Comfort, Reflections of Hope for Caregivers; Take Comfort, Too, More Reflections of Hope; and Good Morning! Sunny Reflections to Start Your Day. “I love your books,” a family caregiver says. Order here and use coupon code BIG305. Sale ends July 15.

3. Save on Caregiving Presentation Programs
As you know, I regularly give workshops and webinars to family caregivers. These workshops create an experience for family caregivers—an experience that allows for insights, answers and understanding. And, along the way, family caregivers learned compassion for themselves. You can create this same experience for the family caregivers in your community. My workshops and webinars are now available for sale so you can bring and present these workshops to your community. The presentations are on sale through July 15. You can purchase them here.

4. 30% Off “Setting My Limits,” a Four-Week Self-Study Class
Do you often feel angry and resentment at how much you do? Do you feel pulled in a thousand directions, all at once? Then, you’ll want to take our four-week self-study class, “Setting My Limits.”

You may believe your limits get in the way, but, in reality, they help you make the way. In this class, I’ll help you make your way by exploring the power of your limits.

In “Setting My Limits,” you’ll gain tools to determine your limits within your day and within your role. When you understand your limits, as well as your caree’s, you gain control of your day and your time. And, by recognizing your limits, you’ll be able to set boundaries which protect your time and your needs.

At the end of this four-week class, you’ll:

• Gain an understanding of your limits (within your day and your role);
• Use your limits to ask for help;
• Use your limits to face, rather than fear, the future;
• Learn how to communicate your limits with confidence;
• Remove the guilt and shame associated with your limits;
• Recognize your emotional triggers when you’re reached your limit;
• Rely on your limits to evolve as your role changes.

Once you pay for your class, you’ll have access to four recorded webinars. You can view the recorded webinars as often as needed, making the webinars an invaluable resource. With this course, you’ll feel like you have four private coaching sessions with Denise. Your price: $32.90. Sale ends July 15.

5. Free Ads on SharingStore.com until August 1.
From July 13 through August 1, you can list as many classified ads as you’d like all for free on SharingStore.com. Have a stack of caregiving books you’ve already read? List them for sale before August 2 for free. Have an extra walker you no longer use? List it for sale. Have a stack of supplies you no longer need? List it for sale!

Your ad will be listed on the site for free for 30 days. You can re-list for our regular fee of $17 per month.

To list your ad, visit SharingStore.com.

~~~~

Questions about our summer sale? Just send me an email.

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The 2011 report, “Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia,” which was presented at a briefing on Capitol Hill today, examines both positive and negative feelings associated with caregiving for individuals with progressive deterioration of their abilities and faculties. Conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and sponsored by Pfizer Inc., the study found that:

• Two out of three caregivers feel that caring for their caree gives them the opportunity to “give back” (65 percent)

• Nearly one-half of caregivers feel they now have a closer personal relationship with the person to whom they provide care (46 percent)

• More than four in 10 feel they now live more “in the moment” than they did before (44 percent)

When asked how they have been changed by their caregiving experience, 67 percent are more grateful, 60 percent are more accepting, 56 percent are more patient and 51 percent are more assertive.

Emotional stress appeared as one of the prevalent negative feelings associated with caregiving. In fact, 61 percent of caregivers reported feeling highly stressed. Forty (40) percent indicated feelings of guilt that they were not doing more to help their caree and 39 percent reported anger with themselves for becoming frustrated with their caree.

When looking at the initial signs of the disease, the study found that nine of 10 caregivers observed events and situations that led them to believe their caree probably had Alzheimer’s or dementia. Only three in 10 say a doctor’s examination or questioning was one of the events that initially contributed to their thought that Alzheimer’s or dementia was present (31 percent).

“I think that it’s revealing that 70 percent of family caregivers recognized the symptoms of Alzheimer’s on their own, without a doctor’s questioning,” says Gail Hunt, CEO and president of the National Alliance for Caregiving. “This shows me that the public is beginning to understand the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Primary care physicians may need more education to help in screening older patients.”

The study looked at the carees’ condition, diagnosis of the illness, actions taken and information sources used, the impact of the caregiving situation, profiles of caregivers and background on the caregiving situation. Results found that caregivers’ views of their situations were related to two factors: The stage of their caree’s illness and the choice they felt they had in assuming their caregiver role.

The “Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia 2011” report is based on a quantitative survey of 1,000 family caregivers, age 18 or older, who provide unpaid care to an individual with Alzheimer’s, dementia or age-related mental confusion or forgetfulness. Respondents were screened to ensure their care recipient was at least 40 years old. The on-line questionnaire was fielded from September 14 to September 27, 2010. For more information about the report, visit Caregiving.org.

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The fourth edition of The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey is ready for purchase!

The Caregiving Years walks you through your caregiving experience, offering tips on what to do today and how to prepare for tomorrow. I came up with the idea of staging the experience fourteen years ago as I was trying to best answer the common questions asked by family caregivers: Why me? Why now? What now?

I wrote the first edition in 1997 in a cube at a day job. The fourth edition came together last month at the desk in the corner of my living room.

In this edition, I do my best to think ahead of you, to anticipate the questions and worries you may have. I share coping strategies and perspectives that will help. I also assure you that, really and truly, you can do this.

The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to Meaningful Journey is available in two formats: Print and download. The download version is less expensive and available right away. If you order the print version, you can save today (and today only) on shipping with this coupon: GROUND305. (Why not buy one of my Take Comfort books, too? You’ll save on shipping on your whole order.)

And, when you buy The Caregiving Years, you make an investment in yourself and in our site. Your purchase helps keep the site going.

You can buy The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey, as well as my other three books, in our bookstore.

Thanks so much!

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After a few issues and glitches, I’m happy to say we have online support groups again! The groups are part of the site, which differs from how we used our previous groups. With the other groups, we emailed each other. Now, you can visit the site to read our content AND connect with your group.

I’ve created 14 groups for us. One group is open–meaning its messages can be viewed by anyone, including members. The other groups are private, so only group members can view the messages. You’ll recognize the groups and a few new ones I’ve meaning to add for a long time. Feel free to join as many as you’d like. To join a group, just request membership.

Even better: You can start your own group. Perhaps you’d like to provide regular updates to family members and friends. You can create your own private group, invite your family members and friends to join, and share updates and messages on your own forum. Or, perhaps you’d like to start a group about a specific disease—that’s great. Go for it!

The groups are free and available to all members of Caregiving.com. And, membership is our other new feature. I think you’ll love the membership feature; all members have a profile making it easier to get to know each other. And, as a member, you can keep us posted on how you’re doing by sharing regular updates.

Give yourself time to get used to the new features. Change can be stressful, but I think you will like this change.

Thanks so much to everyone for your patience and understanding as I get us back on track with our groups. I’ll be adding new features soon and will keep you up-to-date as I do.

To join Caregiving.com, go here. Joining is free and easy.

Are you already a member of Caregiving.com? Go here to join our groups.

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 November 23 is just the start.

Family caregivers do so much; they provide ongoing support, love and medical care to a family member in need. Their job is difficult, overwhelming and exhausting. They may often feel depleted–of physical energy and emotional strength.
And, that’s where you come in! You can help a family caregiver feel revitalized and renewed. We’ve put together a few ideas to help you get started:

1. Call the caregiver on a regular basis to find out how he or she is doing. Listen with an open heart–and a non-judgmental ear. You don’t have to solve the problems–just listening is the best help you can offer.

2. Volunteer to stay with the caree one evening or afternoon a week, every other week, or every month–whatever you can offer. Encourage the caregiver to enjoy the break–and not worry about you or the caree.

3. Send a note expressing your love and admiration for the family caregiver.

4. Encourage the family caregiver to keep up their own interests and hobbies–and help them find the time needed to do so. Often, family caregivers feel that they’ve lost themselves, that their own personalities somehow got “fuzzy” or out-of-focus. Ensuring a family caregiver has the time and support to pursue their own interests fights off the “fuzzies.”

5. Lessen the caregiver’s load by running errands when you can. Offer to pick up groceries, medications, whatever the caregiver needs.

6. Call the caregiver and say, “Don’t worry about dinner. I’ll bring it over at 5:30.” It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be from you.

7. Be a library runner. Ask the caregiver what books/videos he or she would like from the library. A good book or great movie can be a refreshing break for a caregiver.

8. Offer to make phone calls on behalf of the family caregiver to learn about community services that can help.

9. Stop for a visit–with the family caregiver and the caree.

10. Share a hug! Caregivers give so much of themselves–they need regular “hug replacements.”

Thank you for your support–you have the opportunity to make a tremendous difference in the life of a family caregiver.

To submit an entry in the festival, simply make a film telling your story, or the story your care recipient, affected by a brain disorder. Eligible entries could win up to $1,500 in prizes. You don’t have to be an expert filmmaker to share your story. Visit here to earn more about contest rules and guidelines and judging criteria. Deadline is February 16, 2010.

“Caregiving in the U.S. 2009,” a survey of persons caring for adults, the elderly and children with special needs, found that 29% of the U.S. adult population, or 65.7 million people, are caregivers, including 31% of all households.  These caregivers provide an average of 20 hours of care per week.

Among the findings: American caregivers are predominantly female (66%) and are an average of 48 years old.  Most care for a relative (86%), most often a parent (36%).  Seven in ten caregivers care for someone over age 50. One in seven caregivers provides care, over and above regular parenting, to a child with special needs (14%).  Caregiving lasts an average of 4.6 years.

The study also revealed that both caregivers of adults and their care recipients are now older than their counterparts were five years ago.  Among caregivers of adults (ages 18 or older), the average age of the caregiver rose from 46 to 49.  The change can be attributed to a decline among younger caregivers (those under the age of 50) and a shift upward among caregivers age 50 to 64.  Among caregivers of adults, the average care recipient’s age increased from 67 to 69, mainly because of an increase in the percentage age 75 or older (from 43% to 51%).

The main reasons people need care are old age (12%), Alzheimer’s disease (10%), mental/emotional illness (7%), cancer (7%), heart disease (5%) and stroke (5%).  However, the list of illnesses/problems for which children need care is quite different.  It is led by ADD/ADHD, autism, mental/emotional illness and developmental delay/mental retardation. Caregivers of children provide the most time-intensive care.  Increasingly, the study reports, there is a use of prescription medication for adult care recipients. 

Caregivers are also receiving more help than they were five years ago, which is encouraging news, since one in six caregivers (17%) report that caregiving has had a negative impact on their health.  Since 2004, there has been a sharp increase in the share of caregivers of adults who say they are getting help from other unpaid caregivers, a nine percentage point increase among those not caring for an adult in a nursing home. However, during the same time period, there has been a six percentage point decrease in those who report that their recipient uses paid help, a decrease that could potentially be linked to the recent recession.

For more information about the study, visit National Alliance for Caregiving.

So… What do you think? Do you fit the “profile”? And, does it help to know you have company?

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Image via Wikipedia

In support of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, AAA encourages advance planning to keep senior drivers safe and mobile as they age

Many seniors and their families will at some point struggle with a difficult decision about an older adult’s driving ability.

• Is it safe for them to continue driving?
• Are there tools to help them be safer?
• How do we know when it’s time to hang up the keys?
• What options exist when they can no longer drive?

To address this growing concern among families across the country, AAA provides expert advice, research-based tools and resources through its safety and mobility web site — AAASeniors.com. The information and tools on the site are designed to aid in prompting conversations, assessing abilities and improving the comfort and safety of older drivers.

“Many people do not know where to turn for help to address the safety and mobility challenges often faced by older drivers and their families. AAASeniors.com provides the tools needed to create an action plan to help manage the inevitable consequences of aging, and the effects of aging on driving ability,” said Jake Nelson, director, AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one in five people will be age 65 or older by 2030, with an estimated 90 percent licensed to drive. In support of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 6-12, AAA encourages seniors and their families to take the first step in addressing this difficult issue by having a conversation about driving and aging.

“People age 65 and older represent the fastest growing segment of the country’s population, which makes their safe driving ability an issue that millions of families are facing. AAA encourages seniors and their families to use Older Driver Safety Awareness Week as an opportunity to begin a conversation about safe mobility. AAA can provide the resources needed to help guide them through this process,” said Nelson.

For many seniors, conversations about continued safe driving can easily spark strong emotional reactions such as concerns about personal independence and managing other day-to-day activities. Fortunately, these conversations also can serve as opportunities for constructive communication and problem solving.

Talking with an older driver is just the first step. AAA also provides guidance and tools to help develop and implement an action plan.

• AAA Roadwise Review is a computer-based tool designed to assess a driver’s functional abilities important to safe driving.
• CarFit and AAA’s Smart Features for Mature Drivers help to enhance seniors’ comfort and safety while driving.
• Safe Driving for Mature Operators classroom and online courses provide driver training to help address the changes caused by aging and how a driver may compensate.

For more information about Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, please visit AAA.com/PublicAffairs.

It’s a cook-free (and dirty dish-less!) Progressive Party.

Throughout the week of December 6, we stop by the blogs of family caregivers, dropping off holiday well-wishes and good cheer. To close out our party with a bang, two of blog party participants will join me today at Noon on Table Talk; listen to our live show here.

Because no party is complete without presents, we’ve got prizes! We’re giving away:

• autographed copies of Denise’s books, The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey and Take Comfort, Reflections of Hope for Caregivers.
• a $50 Amazon gift card, donated by eCare Diary.
• and a grand prize worth $225: three free coaching sessions with Denise.

To be eligible to win any of the prizes, simply share a bit about yourself and your caregiving situation in our comments section after this post.

On Caregiving.com, six family caregivers share their days through their own blogs:

• Derek cares for his parents

• Donna cares for her mother

• Gary cares for his mother

• Lillie cares for her mother

• Sharon cares for her husband

• Skye cares for her husband

Be sure to visit the blogs other family caregivers participating in our blog party; when you visit other blogs be sure to share something about yourself as well as cheer and good wishes:

Would you like to join us? Visit here for details; we’d love to have you with us!

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