1,000 acts of kindness #5

1,000 acts of kindness. Caregiver Access acknowledges Caregivers who suffer with the guilt of neglecting the well-child, or their spouse or their friends in order to provide the level of care that they feel the person who needs them requires.

New Caregiver Story on Caregiver Access site

Lisa tells her story of caring for her mom who has Alzheimer's in this short video.

1,000 acts of kindness #4

1,000 acts of kindness. Caregiver Access acknowledges Caregivers who need to hide their true feelings. You often can't say how worried or sad you are in front of the person you are caring for. You often need to appear strong when you feel shattered. You watch your dreams for your future change or disappear and you can't complain to the person you are caring for. Other Caregivers understand and we at Caregiver Access understand. Come and talk to us.. We know........

1,000 acts of kindness #3

1,000 acts of kindness. Caregiver Access acknowledges Caregivers who understand that the person they are caring for may have become more narcissitic because that's what pain, aging, injuries and disabilities tend to bring about. We understand that acknowledgement, thanks and appreciation aren't always available to you and you still get out there each and every day and provide care.

1,000 acts of kindness #2

1,000 acts of kindness. Caregiver Access acknowledges Caregivers who have learned to speak up, advocate and sometimes "go to the mat" so the person they are caring for will have the services and attention they need. With that same determination we at Caregiver Access are "going to the mat" for the families and neighbors who have become these "mommy bear" Caregivers.

1,000 act of kindness #1

1,000 acts if kindness. Caregiver Access wants to acknowledge every time a Caregiver can still show affection to a mom that's driving them crazy, or a bossy dad, a husband that didn't like what they made for dinner, a wife who complained about which toothpaste they bought at the grocery store or a child whose medical needs are all consuming. Giving a hug, a squeeze of a hand, a quick kiss can feel harder than climbing a mountain.

Developing a great relationship with a home health aide

There are many helpful tips that can make having a new home health aide in your home go smoothly.
http://nextstepincare.org/Provider_Home/Home_Health_Aides/
You can download this free resource pamphlet in English, Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

Second Caring for the Caregiver Interview

This TV show video interview with Christine Sotmary describes what Caregiving for someone with dementia and Alzheimer's feels like. Christine discusses lots of simple ways we can contribute to making it easier for those who have taken on the challenge.

Papers and dying!!??? Getting it together.

What do you need to get organized? This is for all those you will be leaving behind. My mother always told me to "be nice" and this is a good way to start. You'll sleep better.....I promise.

Sharing time and energy

Read about this wonderful program in VT to help community members stay in their homes.

The unspoken side of Caregiving

Caregivers who already have leanings towards various addictions need to stay alert to the stress they are experiencing. Read about this Caregiver issue to prevent the heart break.

Radio piece and article that will astound you humans!

Rats are natural at being Caregivers

Stressed out for the holidays? There's help.

Hudson Valley Hospital Programs....the video

....and let's remember the former Caregivers in our midst

We've opened up our Family Wellness Workshops to our former Caregivers with the idea that now is the time for them to finally be able to reflect on their experiences and then possibly mentor the new folks going down that similar path. Grieving the loss of this life altering lifestyle and celebrating the richness that is Caregiving is now open to anyone who has been there and done that.

No two Caregivers are exactly alike, so how can they have so much in common?

I've just spent the last two days making my rounds. I bring my Family Wellness Workshops to assisted living homes, hospitals and active senior residences. I'm always amazed at the variety of stories I hear from the Family Caregivers who attend my workshops.
One daughter described leaving her son and grandchildren and commuting from the southwest of the USA all the way across country to be with her dad whenever she can. Another daughter was local and came to the home every day during the week to take her mom shopping, driving, and to her various appointments.
It wouldn't seem that these two daughters had much in common but once they started talking it became clear that they did. Both of them loved their only surviving parent very much. Both of them worried about the future aging of their loved ones and whether they could handle the gradual decline that was in their future. Both of them felt guilty that they weren't handling things properly or doing enough for their loved one. Both of them had siblings who were making things worse by not helping out, being critical and disagreeing with important decisions that needed to be made.
Family Caregivers have very different situations that they are dealing with but when they get a chance to compare notes they can see how much they are actually alike.