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.

There are ways to protect yourself from the worst effects of stress. Watch how Rosie O'Donnell has changed her life to better cope.

Here's the video where Rosie O'Donnell on the Dr. Oz show talks about her heart attack, the toll of Caregiving and how she has changed her life to help her cope.

She didn't mention acupuncture. That's another really good way to stay fortified when things get intense during Caregiving. I've had clients say that they were able to handle things more gracefully as they cared for parents or spouses. Acupuncture enabled them to avoid feeling overwhelmed by everything on their plate.

For the New Year I've packaged and discounted four Caregiver acupuncture programs to make it easy to get the help you need to stay in the game. Save $60 with these 3 session packages. Email me at sotmary@gmail.com for more information and to schedule your sessions.

1) Immune Booster
2) Insomnia/Menopause
3) Digestion/Weight Management
4) Stress Reduction/Focus & Direction

Dont' worry, you needn't be a Caregiver at present to take advantage of this offer.
As Rosalynn Carter says:
"There are only four kinds of people in the world -
1. Those who have been Caregivers
2. Those who currently are Caregivers
3. Those who will be Caregivers,
4. And those who will need Caregivers."

Disaster Assistance for East Coast

If you sustained losses or damage from Hurricane Sandy, you may be eligible for disaster aid.
Information: www.disasterassistance.gov
To apply: 1-800-462-7585
Smartphone: m.fema.gov

Have ready:
SS#
Home insurance info.
Address and zip
Directions to property
Daytime phone #
Where you can be reached
Address to receive mail
Bank account type, account # and routing #

Families face different challenges when taking care of Mom and Dad

Give a listen to this series. So many decisions, so few options. At Caregiver Access we are getting ready to help in a big way. We are creating a profession that is family focused and will create support programs for these wonderful families to know they are not alone.

Hudson Valley Caregivers.....give a listen.

Radio Rotary focuses on Caring for the Caregiver. Lots of great stuff to share with the Caregivers in your life.

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.

Helping others is better than a day at the gym

Volunteering has its health benefits. Tell your doctor you're going to read to kids at the local library the next time he recommends a diet!

Radio piece and article that will astound you humans!

Rats are natural at being Caregivers

....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.

Caregiver Access for you newbie Caregivers

If you are just starting down the Caregiver road we that know you are probably busy getting everything in order. At Caregiver Access we might be able to help you with that. We've put together a few short videos to help you organize your thoughts and when you need it there's more information on the site.

What's Stronger than a Living Will?

Read this great article from AARP and find out why many seriously ill patients are talking to their doctors about the MOLST program in New York.

Caregivers in the research lab

I watched DVD's on stress last week just before the storm hit. Good timing! Living without electricity for 5 days gave me time to think about those shows. One was by National Geographic called "Stress: Portrait of a Killer". Towards the end of the show they showed a group of mom's of kids with various disabilities. After studying this group, scientists found that the moms produced more of the good kind of cell repair enzymes during and after their support group. This is good news for all of us who thought it might be a good idea for Caregivers to come out and share their experiences and get the support they need.

The other show was "The New Medicine" with Dana Reeves before she passed. These scientists at Ohio State University also studied Caregivers but this time it was Caregivers of someone with Alzheimer's. They found that when the Caregivers don't get the support they need they are so stressed that it took 9 days longer to heal a small wound.

The moral of the story.......come out, come out, where ever you are! Share, laugh, cry, and learn new ways to cope. There are Family Wellness Workshops all over Westchester, NY. Check the calendar at HVHC.org for one near you.

"Catching" your sweetie's dementia?

You do the things you need to do to keep you and your spouse afloat when they develope dementia. Then you read an article like this one that says you are a more likely candidate for dementia because you are a Caregiver.
What about all the love and the sense of purpose that many of us Caregivers feel? Those emotions are good for you. Taking on the role of your sweetie's advocate is a powerful healer. Where are those studies that Caregiving may be good for you?