Help Archives - Page 5 of 28 -

Find Reliable Consultants for Family Caregivers

Where to Find Reliable Consultants for Family Caregivers..

Family caregivers may deal with children, parents, grandparents … and perhaps all at one time. How do you keep your sanity? Is a private life possible? Are there reliable consultants available? Who can you trust to guide you?

There is a dependable FREE tool available ALL DAY on April 7 … see link below.

Where does the stamina and wisdom come from as you see loved ones slowly slipping away? A friend’s husband seems all together one day and can’t find his shoes the next. How can I help her cope?

Can you really be a caregiver when you live out of state? What happens if you have that responsibility? Do you even know where to begin looking for help? Listen to one who has been there and found solutions. Reliable consultants can help with

finding resources in your community
making a good decision
managing family dynamics
coping with stress

Get caregiving answers during Consulting for Good on April 7 – Consultants will man chatrooms from 9 a.m. ET until 5 p.m. ET. Join chatrooms any time during that window to connect with the consultants…. click here for more information.

Those who have walked the road before you have experiences to share to lift your load. Plan now to schedule this time for yourself and learn from others.

A word of caution: not all sites that offer help are reliable. The website, caregiving.com is one I have trusted for years. I was honored to have several articles included in their Gift Book Series.

In the photo above, my brother, Richard, is visiting with Cousin Penny while her husband, Dale, is chatting with my husband, Russell, at a concert. This past year, both Richard and Dale were called Home … yes, Heaven is Sounding Sweeter all the Time! I have to ask: Do you know where you and your loved ones will spend eternity? So thankful for John 3:16.

6 Decision Making Tips for Busy Families

Six simple decision making tips for busy families.

Caring for a home and family can be difficult. Mothers and caregivers and their busy families bide for time. Decisions are made daily that affect the lives of others.

Simple tasks often cause stress and keep us overwhelmed.

One week I planned to clean our carpet. I reasoned I could make time to do it. The next week, I considered a carpet cleaner, then talked myself out of spending the money. Each time that I made a decision, then changed my mind, it made my work and stress pile up!

Have you been there? You make a decision only to change your mind? The work never gets done and you are worn out from struggling with unfinished projects.

I put into practice some techniques that work and followed through on my decisions. I’m praying you will apply these decision making tips to at least one issue you face.

#1 Honestly identify the problem. My underlying problem was not the dirty carpet. My problem was lack of time and energy. My schedule would not change in the near future.

#2 Make a list of possible alternatives. I could rent a machine and do it; call in friends to help; leave it go awhile longer; or buy bigger throw rugs (kidding!) Ask others for advice.

#3 Be informed before hiring someone for a project. Check them out; get the best deal possible for your household.

#4 Evaluate the consequences of each action. For me, hiring the work done would mean a tighter budget for the next few weeks. I could find ways to curb my spending.

#5 Determine which choice is the very best for you and your family. Considering the needs of your entire family when making a decision is always best. Truth is, your stress affects the entire household. (Click here for more on getting help from the family.)

#6 Act on your decision as soon as possible. When I finally determined what to do, I immediately called the cleaner and made the appointment. This is so important. Acting on your decision will develop your skill in this area.

What small things tend to pull you down, cause stress?

A dirty carpet may not be a big deal compared to the decisions you have to make. What small things tend to pull you down, cause stress? If you can eliminate some of them, your more difficult challenges will become easier; I promise!

I’m smiling as I remember the peace of making a decision and sticking to it.

Yes, my clean floors were beautiful, the house smelled fresh, and I was motivated to clean a little more. I actually created a schedule for my stressors, one small project at a time.

There will always be good pros and cons in decision making. From experience in the School of Hard Knocks I can tell you, life goes much easier if you can make a clear decision and stick to it. You will richly improve your life and the lives of others as you build confidence.

Hugs,

Read my article on four tips to get help around the home; click here. And let me hear your decision making ideas.

Trustworthy Support Groups and Online Medical Sites

Trustworthy Support Groups and Online Medical Sites.

It is imperative to find trustworthy support groups and online medical sites. Coping with changes identified in your loved ones’ home, or effectively help others cope, calls for a strong support system.

Caregiver or not, we need support. Example, which of the following has affected your family or friends: Dementia, Alzheimers, Death, Alcohol, Suicide, Chronic Pain, ADHD, Aging Parents, Depression, Narcotics, Eating Disorders, Sexual Abuse, Divorce.

Some support may come from those around you.

#1 A support group needs to be trustworthy and confidential. Having a group you have confidence in enables you to relate your true feelings and share more honestly about your unique situation.

#2 The best support will come from others who have traveled that road before. When that person holds your hand and says, “I understand,” you can know they really do.

#3 Hearing the experiences of others in a given situation will help you better understand your circumstances. Actions and reactions which seem foreign to you right now may be normal for a person suffering or struggling with certain issues.

#4 Local support groups offer help and hope in a more personal, long term environment. If there is none available, consider starting a group. Simply find two or three others going through the same situation and plan to meet for about an hour once or twice a month.

#5 Online support groups for family and friends are a great place to start your search. Look for blogs or discussion boards on the particular area you are dealing with.

A word of caution here-while online sites can offer ready help and suggestions, filter any changes through your medical team or reliable agency such as Mental Health America, Alzheimers Association, CAPS (Children of Aging Parents) or other appropriate group.

After searching through pages of information and online sites, I would recommend http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/find_support_group as a good place to begin your search. There you will find a lengthy list of support groups as well as helps.

Another website that may offer help depending upon your location is www.healthfinder.gov. I researched our local hospitals on this site. I also found valuable information on several health-related issues.

Make sure the sites you are searching are updated regularly so you get the latest information.

Remember to call upon the Great Physician for wisdom and direction. We read “Call upon me and I will answer thee … ” in Jeremiah 33:3.

Hugs,

Have you purchased a copy of the 2nd edition of MY MOTHER MY CHILD? I am getting great comments from those using the discussion guide at the end of each chapter. Let me hear from you.