Early Gifts for All 

This fall, I felt a bit like Santa Claus (and not only just around the waistline), riding my various sleighs (USAir, JetBlue, Delta, etc.) to far flung cities to host nearly a Fearless Caregiver Conference a week. 

I actually received my holiday presents early this year by listening to the wisdom that was shared by the attendees at these events.

On Dasher:  to Okeechobee, Florida, where we learned the value of partnering with every one of your medical office staff members. 

On Dancer:  to Fort Lauderdale, where we celebrated the life of a Fearless Caregiver who has been at nearly every event since the very first one late in the last century.

On Prancer:  to Birmingham, Alabama, for for our second annual event and the shared gifts from the attendees, from the value of support groups to learning to ask for the gifts you need as a caregiver ...more

IN THIS ISSUE

Early Gifts for All
 

Helping a Loved One Live Well
 

Hypothermia and Older Adults
 

Eight Tips to Managing Caregiver Guilt
 

Sharing Wisdom

SPONSORED ARTICLE

Helping a Loved One Live Well

By June K.

When your loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness, being a caregiver means providing a lot of the emotional and practical support needed to help keep your loved one’s life moving forward as smoothly as possible. The most important first step in becoming a caregiver is understanding the disease you are dealing with ...more
 
 

GUEST ARTICLE

Hypothermia and Older Adults
Tips for staying safe in cold weather

Frigid weather can pose special risks to older adults. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some advice for helping older people avoid hypothermia — when the body gets too cold — during cold weather ...more
 
 

CARETIPS

Eight Tips to Managing Caregiver Guilt

By Dr. Vicki

Guilt is a common feeling in the landscape of caregiving. Guilt can propel you to be the best you can be…or it can immobilize you.

For caregivers, painful feelings — such as guilt, sadness and anger — are like any other pain. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Pay attention.” Just as the pain of a burned finger pulls your hand from the stove, so, too, guilt guides your actions and optimizes your health ...more

SHARING WISDOM

From David in Costa Rica:

Brother & Sister Caregivers: My late wife Joyce had ALS and I was her sole caregiver. A MONSTER for sure. I know the struggles that are in front of you. Love and cherish the time you have together and for the time needed to put yourself second. The rewards are great and the growth received, fulfilling. Now buckle down, get your head straight, and get it done, whatever you need to do. DO IT! Peace.
 

From Sally in Kansas:

Having just read some of the other caregivers’ letters, let me suggest this. I have cared for my mother for 19 years. She is now 91. After taking another fall on October 30th, she has descended into rapid onset dementia. I just found out that dementia is not a progression, but a stepping down process. They may drop one step or even several after a fall. Because of her age, her reserve to come back is less as she gets older. I never knew this and wanted to share this out there. I keep all caregivers in my prayers. As this goes forward, it gets harder to take care of her and myself. 

The best ideas and solutions for taking care of your loved one often come from other caregivers. Please post your ideas and insights and we will share them with your fellow caregivers.