Keeping yourself Healthy

...........Caring for mum and dad from afar.

gokrex80 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:05:33 GMT

...........Caring for mum and dad from afar.

I ran across this CNN article." Caring for mum and dad from afar"
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/01/31/ep.long.distance.care/index.html
It presents very well the challenges, family members face when trying to help an elderly relative from a long distance.
I also found these links to commercial products that address these challenges
http://www.cellnetweb.com/eldercare.htm
http://www.cellnetweb.com/dementia.htm

Respite

Diana — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:38:23 GMT

As I read this email this morning I couldn't help but think of the value respite...not only as a "trial stay" for the resident, but to benefit the caregiver as well. This is not to suggest that any one of us would want to consider our loved ones a burden, however, please read below and see the greater meaning.

A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience,
Raised a glass of water and asked "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long you try to hold it."

"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued,"And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. "

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can."

"So, my friend, put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while."

The Importance of Humor Every Day!

jessica — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:36:51 GMT

It is important for all us to take a few minutes every day, to laugh! My grandfather used to say laughter is the best medicine! I think it would be fun to post some appropriate jokes on this site! This will be especially great for Caregivers. I will look for some to post, please help me get started!

Caregiver Bill of Rights

Linda Temple — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:38:46 GMT

I know many of you have probably seen this before. I think it is good as a caregiver to review from time to time, as being the caregiver can be such a challenge at times.

CAREGIVER BILL OF

RIGHTS

I have the right… to take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my relative.

I have the right… to seek help from others even though my relatives may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.

I have the right… to maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.

I have the right… to get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.

I have the right… to reject any attempts by my relative (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt and/or depression.

I have the right… to receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance from my loved one for what I do, for as long as I offer these qualities in return.

I have the right… to take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my relative.

I have the right… to protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my relative no longer needs my full-time help.

I have the right… to expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting caregivers.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

This article is also found at Caregiver Support