Archive for caregiver support
Give and Receive
Posted by: | Comments“The Giver is always giving, and yet it needs a receiver to complete its circuit of circulation. Are you a receiver? We must learn to give and receive.” That statement is by Lloyd Tupper, OurAbundantLife.com.
When you are a caregtiver it seems like you are always giving, and giving, and giving. And you make the ill person take, and take, and take. Neither feels good about what is happening, and some of us get downright angry about it. Receivers who are ill feel guilty for having to be taken care of. They want to help out in some way. Caregivers need the chance to be on the receiving end once in a while.
Two things need to take place. One: agree that you are Care Partners in this experience. You are on the journey together and each has a role to play. Two: Caregivers need to ASK for help and ACCEPT help from friends and family because they want to be in the giving role and you need to receive their help. How do you ask? Be specific about what you want. “Can you take the car and have it washed and gassed up?” Can you stay with Jim while I run to the grocery? I will be gone 2 hours max.” Both of you will receive the JOY of being givers and receivers. Try it, it works!
Touch of JOY
Caregiver Truths
Posted by: | CommentsAnne Lamott has written a book, “Traveling Mercies.” In it she says that her most popular prayers are, “Help me, help me, help me” and “”Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Sounds like the caregivers prayer.
She also has a wonderful quote: “All you can do is show up for someone in crisis. Your there-ness … can be life giving, because often everyone else is in hiding.”
Ain’t it the truth. If you are a friend of a caregiver …. SHOW UP, the Caregiver already has!
Touch of JOY
Put On Your Oxygen Mask
Posted by: | CommentsComing home from a vacation, I was reminded for the zillionth time, “If you are traveling with small children, put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others.” This is exactly the message I want all Caregivers to hear loud and clear. Take care of yourself first! You must remain strong and healthy in order to take care of another person. Put on your own oxygen mask by remembering that YOU are the most important person in the experience. Self Care if your top priority. Check out the book, Put On Your Oxygen Mask by Leesa Gibbons.
In caring, Joy
Breathe
Posted by: | Comments“You can’t breathe in yesterday and you can’t breathe in tomorrow. You can only breathe in the present moment.” I read that somewhere and it is so true. To deal with the challenge of today, we need to be present today.
Oprah Winfrey says, “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” What a message for people everywhere and especially for caregivers and parents. Don’t waste a minute of today. Live it to the fullest.
“Try to take a breath five minutes ago. Okay, that didn’t work. Try to breathe five minutes from now. That didn’t work either. You see, we can only breathe for right now.” That’s advice from Eugene D. Holden, in Science of the Mind.
When you find the day too tough to deal with, stop, close your eyes, and take in a deep breath. Do it right now. Wow, instant stress relief.
Touch of Joy Golliver
