FOR CAREGIVERS: The Five Minute Retreat (and Other Ideas)
At Caring Strategies, we emphasize the importance of care for the caregiver. Caregivers, we encourage you to take care of yourself--and we support you in finding ways to do so. Here are three:
- Have at least one person in your life who is always willing to listen to you, without judging you or feeling that it's their job to give you advice.
- Maintain a list of things that people can do to help you, and keep it with you. Refer to it when you're asked, "What can I do to help?" Graciously accept the assistance of others who are willing to lighten your load.
- Master the art of the daily five minute retreat. Just five minutes. Use the time to refresh yourself, and set the cares of the day aside. You might consider a little stroll outdoors, just quiet, a spiritual reading, or listening to a favorite piece of music. Whatever you do--do what works just right for you. Here are two pieces to get you started. The first is the beautiful, prayerful ALWAYS THERE. The second is NOW by Dave Carroll:
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Could Caring Strategies benefit you and your aging loved one(s)?
Some of these statements may sound familiar to you:
- I spend a lot of time thinking about the problems that my aging loved on is having, but don't know what to do. Whatever I try doesn't seem to help.
- I'm stressed, tired, depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or losing sleep because of my aging loved one's situation.
- My aging loved one's problems are affecting my family relationships.
- My aging loved one's problems are affecting my work performance.
- Because of the time I am spending caring for my aging loved one(s), I just can't keep up with what I need and want to do.
- I know my aging loved one needs more outside help, but I don't know if the financial resources are available for that.
- Extra help for my aging loved ones would be good--but I don't think they will accept it.
- Extra help for my aging loved ones would be good--but I don't know what kind of help they need, or how much, or who to call.
- I don't know if my aging loved one(s) can still manage at home alone.
- My aging loved on has dementia, and I don't know how to handle it.
- My sibilings and I are at odds about how to best care for our parent(s).
- I'd help my aging loved ones--if they'd let me. They refuse my help and ideas.
- My aging loved ones live in North Alabama, I'm in another state, nobody's moving, and there is no one to look out for them.
- My aging loved on is injured (or sick); we have to make some changes fast and I need help.
- We're in a crisis and I need some expert advice NOW.
- I need objective, third-party guidance about my aging loved one's situation.
- I know there are some legal and financial matters to be taken care of, but I'm not sure where to start.
- My aging loved one seems confused and forgetful; could it be Alzheimer's?
- I know we should be planning ahead, but I don't know how to start the conversation with my parent(s).
- My aging loved on is independent and private, but not doing well. Now what?
- I know I need more support myself, but I don't know where to get it. I'm not taking very good care of myself lately.
- We're about to spend thousands of dollars a month on my aging loved one's care, and I'm not sure it's the right decision.
- My aging loved one's doctor just diagnosed dementia...probably Alzheimer's. Now what? What can we expect?
If any of these statements ring true, Caring Strategies can help. Find out by making a no-stress, no-pressure call to us. Helping you is what we do.
