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Family Friend Neighbor Caregiver Who am I

Posted on October 26, 2012 by adminOctober 26, 2016

I have met some of the most amazing professional caregivers. They have given time and more energy than I could ever muster to care for others. Their patience seems in constant supply– their knowledge of what to do in any circumstance is unbelievable.

I am not one of those! Never have been, never will be. When I began my caregiving website, I fought it because “I wasn’t a real caregiver.” I am amazed at what is now available and want others to know. We need each other!

There are more than 65 million Family Caregivers in this country who work day in and day out to provide care as no “outsider” could. They often work other jobs; have children and parents to care for at the same time; struggle with lack of finances and health issues of their own. Most have no previous experience apart from life experiences as they grew into adulthood.

Are you one of those? Do you know others who are?

November is National Family Caregivers Month. It’s a great time to reflect on your personal caregiving journey and, at the same time, to find ways to encourage others who are caring for friends and family.

Ask God to give you a sensitive spirit toward the needs of others even as you struggle with your own needs. If you are a caregiver yourself, you may not feel you can spare the time or energy to reach out to help another. I have found that in my busiest, most hectic days, there was always time to pray for someone else. That is the first step; open your eyes and heart and look for others who could use a prayer. Taking a few minutes to pray, call, or send a card moves the focus from self to others and tends to multiply your time.

The internet is overloaded with free helps. Consider encouraging a non-computer caregiver with an article on some issue they may be facing. My favorite site is www.familycaregiving101.com for dozens of free articles. I will soon provide more great sites to explore.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ Ephesians 2:10

In your weary moments, I pray you’ll never lose sight of the fact that you are a very special and unique creation. Blessings to you as you continue to share the wonder of God’s love with others.

Hugs,

P.S. Click the button at the upper right corner of my website at www.susiekinslowadams.com and sign up for the newsletter; it will be helpful to you. I welcome your comments and questions. Have a blessed week.

5 Tips to Add Time to Caregivers Day

Posted on September 3, 2012 by adminOctober 26, 2016

First, let me say the obvious, there is no more time. We have twenty four hours in each day, no more and no less. Therefore, what we do in that time may need evaluating.

What takes up your day? Do you often miss appointments and have to reschedule them? How much time is spent searching for some needed item? Do you simply reshuffle unending stacks of papers?

Are you absolutely overwhelmed and far too busy to organize? After you care for your loved one, your family, and yourself, there is neither time nor energy left for any project.

I have a simple solution for you and you can do it. Carefully read through the following helps and choose one item you will work on-just one! Try this for a week and I promise you will feel less stressed and more productive.

1. Declutter. Start small; do not take on an entire room! Each day choose one table or one drawer to clean out. Be sure to have a trash bag handy and use it! Bonus: by doing only one area at a time, you can return items to their proper place as you sort. Do you hear that? Do not make another stack somewhere!

2. Calendar Everything. Everything. Hang a very large calendar in a highly visible area, preferably near a telephone. Thumbtack a string to the wall with a pencil attached. We all know that pencils have a mind of their own and walk off when you aren’t looking.

3. Keep a to-do list. Each night make a list for the next day. Very important: keep this list short and do-able. There will be unavoidable interruptions—it’s the law of the land—allow for them as you make your list.

4. Do it now. As much as possible, tend to menial tasks immediately. Mail is a good example; it accumulates quickly while you are busy caring for others. Set aside five or ten minutes each day to deal with the mail (with our faithful trash sack handy).

5. Identify your personal time-robbers. In looking at my own schedule and applying these tips, I discovered the appeal of a new sales flyer or magazine kept me mesmerized for way too long. What to do? If I lay them aside for later I add to my “stacks of stuff”. I am learning to choose–you know this one–my faithful trash sack!

Trusting you enjoy all God’s blessings as you learn to wisely use the precious time He has given each of us.

Hugs,

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Caregiving Help for Stress Issues and Trauma Victims

Posted on July 28, 2012 by adminOctober 26, 2016

The world in which we live often seems overwhelmed with major life-threatening issues. It is not simply military personnel suffering from Post Traumatic Stress; we all are effected by natural disasters; random acts of violence; death and illness; loss of homes; changes in employment.

Family members and neighbors as well as hired caregivers will do well to be prepared to ease the pain and discomfort in those situations. We can do this best by learning what to expect and knowing simple suggestions to help others adjust to changing circumstances in their lives.

A great website to find free help and encouragement is http://www.ptsd.va.gov. Although this is a Veteran’s Administration website, it is designed with information for a variety of life situations.

The Public Section includes videos, definitions, and materials for printing–posters, brochures and handouts. Learn about the effects of disasters and how the media coverage can affect stress levels. Find practical helps to reduce the stress and what makes some people more resilient than others.

Click on the Professional Section and you will find materials based on the latest research and many more items including full-color brochures, and newsletters.

A third section on the current Home Page is Colorado Shooting. These types of tragedies have an influence on each of us; whether or not we live in the area or personally knew any of those involved in the incident. We need to know how to deal with our emotions and help those around us who have questions and fears.

I am so thankful for the many people who give their time to provide resources for us as we care for others. I pray this information will be helpful to you; I will look forward to hearing from you.

More great tips and practical solutions will be in my next newsletter. Have you signed up yet?
Hugs,