Letting go is a process that begins long before someone passes. So often when we talk of someone “letting go” we are talking about their dying. But there are many stages that our seniors and family caregivers go through before this final one. It takes courage on the part of your elder and yourself to be honest about when it is time to change a life plan. It is hard and … [Read more...]
What Are The Most Common Mistakes New Professional Caregivers Make?
Surprisingly, they are not related to issues of safety or health. This week we started with a new agency and caregiver. I spent two and a half days at mom’s helping our new live-in aide get acclimated to her schedule, routine and the house. She is a lovely person who wants to get everything right and has a deep respect for elders that is culturally based. That is good and … [Read more...]
The average person makes 35,000 decisions every day.
What is the real number of decisions you make daily if you are a caregiver? As a caregiver, I’m willing to bet the number is higher than 35,000. Hopefully, most of them are harmless, like “What should I make mom for breakfast?” Or "Should I bring an umbrella when we go to the doctor appointment today?" The truth is, the decisions we make for and with our caree often don’t … [Read more...]
Why Do Institutions Make The Bereavement Process So Painful?
"We need to make the grief process a humane, kind one for everyone who mourns and everywhere they mourn — the bank, the workplace, the community." True and insightful words from colleague and friend, Denise Brown, founder of the Caregiving Years Training Academy. Denise, like many of us, is a caregiver for aging parents. She began helping them after her father’s bladder … [Read more...]
“Forgiveness is a decision, not an emotion.”
When we let go of old beliefs and thoughts, the past no longer controls us. Research shows that forgiveness helps heal anger and relieves depression and anxiety. Hmm… these are common emotions for caregivers, me included. Just what role does forgiveness play in our caregiving journey? Forgiveness plays a bigger role in caregiving than I suspect most of us realize. If you … [Read more...]