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Thursday, September 9, 2010 |
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As we reach the end of 2001, we have much to reflect on. It has been a challenge to cope with the devastation of Sept.11, an event that has forever changed our perceptions of safety, freedom and peace. Many families are struggling this holiday season to make sense of the losses they have experienced. We have all been glued to the television and have seen this unfold before us. War rages on the other side of the globe as our military searches for those responsible for this tragedy. But, in true American fashion, we rise to the occasion, we are strong as a nation. And we are united. This holiday season is definitely different. We look at our world in a new way. It seems more fragile, more vulnerable and more precious. We go forward, strength in unity. That has always been the way with caregivers. People helping people. People being there for each other. This year we have had Ribbon readers who have struggled with home-care and those who have had to make "that" decision, to place their loved one. We have had readers whose loved ones have passed on and struggle no more. Always, we have Ribbon readers who support each other by writing letters for the newsletter or joining in at The Gathering Place chat room. We all know what "paying it forward" means. And we do it daily...as caregivers. All of us at The Ribbon, want to thank all of you for your continued support and wish each of you a joyous holiday with family and friends. As we go into a new year, know that you are not alone in your struggles as a caregiver. See you next year! --Karen Sharing the Joys of the Holiday Season They did it again this year: the holidays crept up and have taken me by surprise. Suddenly stores are decorated in tinsel and garland and tiny mechanical Santas are bumping and grinding to "Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas". I don't think I'm alone in saying my stress level increases while my tolerance level decreases. You know how stressful the holidays are for "normal" folk, but keep in mind that your loved ones with dementia are also feeling stressed. The sense of excitement they perceive but may not understand can increase confusion resulting in more frequent difficult behaviors. This in turn makes an already stressful situation more difficult for everyone. So in order to keep the peace and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, I have put together a few tips. First, there are four basic rules:
Second, activities:
Third, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!
Even during the most trying moments, remember to be thankful. Set up a gratitude calendar: for each day of the twelve days of Christmas or the eight days of Hanukkah, write why you are thankful for your loved one. It will help foster the bond between you. Happy Holidays! Mary is a registered nurse certified in gerontology with more than twenty years in the geriatric health field. She is the owner of Gero-Resources specializing in caregiver, eldercare, and successful aging education. She provides staff and community education as well as motivational speaking engagements. Mary is also an author of two caregiver advice columns and contributes articles to various websites. She will be happy to answer your questions or concerns while maintaining your anonymity. She can be reached at Gero-Resources, P.O. Box 4743, Crofton, MD 21114 or at geroresources@hotmail.com We are seeking patients and caregivers who might be interested in the project below. This project is being conducted by the Institute on Aging, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association and other groups. http://www.gioa.org/research/foundation.html Please see the link above or the letter below for more detailed information. Thank you very much, Ann Butterfield, RN Northern
California Chronic Care A FREE project designed to improve the care of persons with memory loss/dementia and their caregivers by:
The network is a part of a nationally recognized effort to evaluate the project's impact on patient and caregiver well-being and service utilization. Local project partners include:
For further information on benefits to project participation, please contact the following: Brown & Toland members. Please contact Susan Roth at the Institute on Aging (415) 750-4180 extension 180 for information regarding the physicians participating in the project. Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco members. Please contact Eileen Goldman at (415) 833-8753 or Catherine Steinbach at (415) 833-3605, and please note that the project is only being conducted for members at Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco. Institute on Aging. Visit the website at http://www.gioa.org/research/foundation.html Supported by funds from the California HealthCare Foundation, California Pacific Medical Center Foundation and Mount Zion Health Fund. Sponsored by the National Chronic Care Consortium and The Alzheimer's Association. Links PWID Celebrating Christmas
2001 From PoeticMawmaw@aol.com ALZHEIMER'S - THE DESTROYER OF A LIFE: Hi Karen, Want to Chat? As always you are welcomed at The Gathering Place. Chat times are Monday through Friday 9pm to 11pm EST. Only on AOL Hello Karen and Jamie, Email Bag From RSaddaddy@aol.com Dearest Karen From bettyp@a-znet.com Dear Jamie and
Karen, From Bubbierg@aol.com Although my husband Ed is almost completely incapacitated, we are going to Miami for Christmas school break. (Remember, I am the 72 year old caregiver in law school.) Romas, Eddie's other caregiver, of course will accompany us,and my children/grandchildren from California and Ohio will join us there for part of the time. Ed's wheel chair goes right on the plane and we have a direct flight. In a few days a new piece of equipment will come to our house. Eddie has so little strength now that he cannot stand at all , and he is heavy to lift from bed, wheel chair, toilet, etc. We prefer cleaning and changing him in upright position. I have ordered a stand-up-lift, recommended by his day care. We can manage without it for this trip, because it is too heavy to transport. But soon we will be very dependent on it. (I'll just use a chair and hand shower attachment for his shower in Florida.) 4 or 5 years ago when Ed was in the early stages, I had an experience in a small support group session that still haunts me. One care giver, about my age, said she lived in a 1 bedroom apartment with her 92 year old AD mother. . They desperately wanted to stay together at home. But they each weighed about 95 pounds and leaving the toilet had become too difficult for Mom. Daughter could not help her. Our group's facilitator was not a professional, and none of the rest of us caregivers had experience with that. She left with no suggested solution. When I shopped for our stand-up -lift, I saw that there are all kinds of apparatuses to assist with physical problems of AD. Besides the lift machine I await, which is large and expensive, there are many gadgets that raise the toilet or help the patient pull up. Yellow pages list "hospital supplies" businesses that have lots of things we need without knowing it! A visit there will amaze you. We use a light weight removable bed railing to protect Ed from falling out of bed. Our wheel chair has small, not large outer wheels-- since Ed can not propel himself and the small wheels make maneuvering much easier. Though we cannot lift Ed into a county transport van which provides inexpensive transportation, the have a hydraulic lift and we just roll the wheel chair up. (Medicare did pay for Ed's wheelchair, but consequently will not compensate for the lift. It is very expensive but no more than one month in a nursing home.) Our dementia clinic has a support staff that knows about these things and that arranges for medicare payments when appropriate. The staff at the adult daycare center is especially knowledgeable about such aids--- like even a simple "gate " canvas belt for helping the caregiver lift patient. I never found out how the mother and daughter managed their problem. At the time it was the only thing pushing mother to institutional care. I hope this story helps some one else who does not know about potential solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems. Final exams start tomorrow. ( Wish me luck') HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KAREN!! I think that we all need to send our best wishes to our much loved Karen on December 29th. She needs to know that none of us forget her on her special day. I Love You Karen, my most wonderful friend. See ya next year!! We hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday! We love each and every one of you! Hugs
and Peace,
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