Editor’s Note: This review is republished here, courtesy of TheCaregiversVoice.com. Solace, by Walter, St. John offers a wealth of information that at first pass might intimidate the overwhelmed caregiver. However, if the book is used as a resource guide for specific communication tips and strategies, busy caregivers will find it of value. As a caregiver for [...]
Tips for Getting the Best Care from Others
This month, I became a member of the “sandwich generation” of caregivers, as I added responsibilities for caring for my mother-in-law (MiL) while still providing daily care to my wife, Sue. Like Sue, her mother has been battling multiple sclerosis for years although, in her case, the primary disability lies in her lack of motor [...]
April ECN guest helps others find JOY in caregiving
In the 16 years since becoming a caregiver, Brenda Avadian has written eight books on caregiving, including Finding the JOY in Alzheimer’s – Caregivers Share the Joyful Times. On Sunday, April 29, Brenda will be the featured guest on ECN’s monthly Virtual Support Group at 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (3 p.m. Central, 1 p.m. Pacific). [...]
Suzanne Mintz Explains Why Caregiving Doesn’t Have to Be So Hard
Suzanne Mintz, co-founder of the 35,000-member National Family Caregivers Association, was the featured speaker in the ECN Virtual Support Group March 25. ECN Founder Jay Kraker interviewed Mintz about the updated edition of her book, A Family Caregiver Speaks Up: It Doesn’t Have to Be This Hard. Mintz has cared for her husband, Steven, since his 1974 [...]
Random Tip #11: Make caregiving a two-way street
As time passes, our caregiving responsibilities can change significantly with the abilities of our loved one. These changes can add to our workload, periodically trigger negative emotions including anxiety, anger and resentment, and simultaneously reduce the self-esteem of the person in our care. Under most conditions, this need not be the case. I recommend asking [...]
Need help finding a qualified caregiver?
If you’ve ever tried to find qualified, independent, in-home care for your loved one, you know that locating, screening, hiring and retaining someone who works well for you can be a major challenge. That’s why Sherwin Sheik created Carelinx in 2011. The Web-based system seeks to match independent care providers with those who need help. You won’t [...]
How to discuss the elephants in the room
The Virtual Support Group for caregivers held on Feb. 26, 2012, featured a lively discussion with Kari Berit, whose book, The Unexpected Caregiver, explores how Baby Boomers and their parents can deal with difficult caregiving issues. Listen to the recording here. These issues include “emotion-laden subjects that so often leave the two generations tongue-tied,” such [...]
Random Tip #10: Master Disability 101
When we agree to serve as caregivers, most of us focus on the “what,” the things we have to learn and do to make life at least a little better for the loved ones in our care. But there’s another aspect of this learning that often escapes us, at least for awhile: how to cope [...]
2012 Caregiver Virtual Support Group Calendar & Recordings
Throughout 2012, ECN will host Virtual Support Group calls generally on the last Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. Eastern time (3 p.m. Central, 2 p.m. Mountain, 1 p.m. Pacific). Each call begins with a brief presentation by a caregiving expert, followed by a question-and-answer session. Then, we break into small groups of 4-5 [...]
A caregiver’s story: from rage to relief
By Cameron von St. James After experiencing one of the most emotionally distressing times in our life, my wife mentioned recently that she can’t even imagine the stress I was under. She had been diagnosed with mesothelioma just three months after the birth of our first child, Lily. I haven’t gone in depth with [...]
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