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Caregivers for spouse
For those caring for a spouse 24/7
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Hi All
Here is a web site i found has a great mag helpful articles.
www.familiesoflovedones.com
check it out and see if it helps you any.
Nanc50
www.familiesoflovedones.com
check it out and see if it helps you any.
Nanc50
12 days ago
Recent Messages
6 Tips for Caregivers
By Jessica C. Kraft (Beliefnet.com)
Caring for another doesn't mean you should forget to care for yourself. Take good care of yourself, and you'll be able to give your family member the loving care he or she deserves. Follow these tips to make sure you don't neglect your health.
Tip #1: Recognize the Signs of Stress
If you are experiencing irritability, feelings of resentment, loss of sleep, increased susceptibility to colds and flu, or if you feel guilty about taking time for yourself, then chances are that you need to re-evaluate your situation.
Tip #2: Acknowledge the Pressure
Ilana Nossel, M.D., a psychiatrist at Columbia University Medical Center, says, "It's okay to be upset that your loved one is ill and recognize that it takes a toll on you." That's a normal--and healthy--reaction. Nossel recommends reaching out to your own support network and keeping a journal to help you cope, and seeking professional and spiritual advice if you're overwhelmed.
Tip #3: Take a Break
In The Fearless Caregiver, author Gary Berg establishes some ground rules for caregivers. At the top of the list: time away. Meaning you should participate in activities that don't include the person you're caring for. At age 30, Rachel Weber found herself taking care of her ailing father. "You have to take time for yourself," she says, "or you won't be able to help anyone else." Get regular exercise--it's good for your physical and mental health. Stay involved in the activities you enjoyed before your family member got sick.
Tip #4: Ask for Help
Often people who know your situation want to lend a hand, but they don't know how. Ask them to do specific tasks. Tell a friend you could really use a home-cooked dinner on Wednesday, or have a neighbor pick up your family member's medication from the drugstore.
Tip #5: Try Respite Care
Hiring someone to help can reduce the burden on the regular caregiver. It doesn't have to be expensive: Respite care is when someone comes to give you a few hours off, and it's usually covered in part by insurance. If you're anxious about leaving your family member with someone else, make a checklist for the respite worker to understand everything that must be done.
Tip #6: Take Pride in What You're Doing
One way to take pride in what you're doing is to have a goal in mind. Aaron Brodie, a medical student at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, notes that "caregiving goals can motivate you when you feel frustrated or saddened by your loved one's condition. Maybe your aim is simply to enjoy your precious time together, or maybe it's to help him get adjusted to a new medical regimen."
Caring for another doesn't mean you should forget to care for yourself. Take good care of yourself, and you'll be able to give your family member the loving care he or she deserves. Follow these tips to make sure you don't neglect your health.
Tip #1: Recognize the Signs of Stress
If you are experiencing irritability, feelings of resentment, loss of sleep, increased susceptibility to colds and flu, or if you feel guilty about taking time for yourself, then chances are that you need to re-evaluate your situation.
Tip #2: Acknowledge the Pressure
Ilana Nossel, M.D., a psychiatrist at Columbia University Medical Center, says, "It's okay to be upset that your loved one is ill and recognize that it takes a toll on you." That's a normal--and healthy--reaction. Nossel recommends reaching out to your own support network and keeping a journal to help you cope, and seeking professional and spiritual advice if you're overwhelmed.
Tip #3: Take a Break
In The Fearless Caregiver, author Gary Berg establishes some ground rules for caregivers. At the top of the list: time away. Meaning you should participate in activities that don't include the person you're caring for. At age 30, Rachel Weber found herself taking care of her ailing father. "You have to take time for yourself," she says, "or you won't be able to help anyone else." Get regular exercise--it's good for your physical and mental health. Stay involved in the activities you enjoyed before your family member got sick.
Tip #4: Ask for Help
Often people who know your situation want to lend a hand, but they don't know how. Ask them to do specific tasks. Tell a friend you could really use a home-cooked dinner on Wednesday, or have a neighbor pick up your family member's medication from the drugstore.
Tip #5: Try Respite Care
Hiring someone to help can reduce the burden on the regular caregiver. It doesn't have to be expensive: Respite care is when someone comes to give you a few hours off, and it's usually covered in part by insurance. If you're anxious about leaving your family member with someone else, make a checklist for the respite worker to understand everything that must be done.
Tip #6: Take Pride in What You're Doing
One way to take pride in what you're doing is to have a goal in mind. Aaron Brodie, a medical student at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, notes that "caregiving goals can motivate you when you feel frustrated or saddened by your loved one's condition. Maybe your aim is simply to enjoy your precious time together, or maybe it's to help him get adjusted to a new medical regimen."
What are you reading?
I know as a caregiver, I wait at the doctors so I bring a book and I always have a book on the nightstand to read. Sometimes, they are about my husband's illness but mostly I read for pleasure and a diversion.
Do you have any books that help you with your caregiving you would recommend?
Do you have any good books that you read for pleasure you would recommend?
Do you have any books that help you with your caregiving you would recommend?
Do you have any good books that you read for pleasure you would recommend?
Thank you all
Thank's to all of you for accepting me into the group. I'm not to sure on how posting in a group works, since I've never used my computer for much more than e-mail. I'm sure you all will help me figure it out.
Thanks again,
motherbird
Thanks again,
motherbird
Have a Great Day, Caregivers!!
Tell us how your day is going. I hope it's a Great one for you and your spouses!!
*hugs*
Becky
Welcome mjera!!
Welcome to Caregivers for Spouse group. It's nice having a support group for those of us who take care of our spouses. Hope to hear from you often.
Joy
Okay, we are all in it for the long haul but what do you have that brings you a little joy in your life?
I have the sweetest little yorkie-poo named Teddie. She isn't tiny but only weighs 8 lbs. She is a real cuddly thing and sleeps between my husband and I on the top of the blankets. Good little watch dog. Not a yappy dog (I hate that...)
I bought her for my husband. The doctor said it would help him "stay in the moment" but he tried but didn't like her very much. When she was young she didn't listen to anyone and he lost interest. So she got attached to me and now she is my dog.
She was bred to a champion yorkie and will have puppies in mid-August. I am very excited. We always bred our dogs once before they were spayed so depending on how easy it is and whether the puppies go fast - we will decide to spay or not.
I have the sweetest little yorkie-poo named Teddie. She isn't tiny but only weighs 8 lbs. She is a real cuddly thing and sleeps between my husband and I on the top of the blankets. Good little watch dog. Not a yappy dog (I hate that...)
I bought her for my husband. The doctor said it would help him "stay in the moment" but he tried but didn't like her very much. When she was young she didn't listen to anyone and he lost interest. So she got attached to me and now she is my dog.
She was bred to a champion yorkie and will have puppies in mid-August. I am very excited. We always bred our dogs once before they were spayed so depending on how easy it is and whether the puppies go fast - we will decide to spay or not.
One day till $th
What are your plans for the fourth weekend .Hope everyone has a good week end let us know what you and yours plan to do.Take Care.
Hey - where did the love go?
As a caregiver for a spouse, I need to ask if your spouse is still well enough to love and appreciate what you are doing for them? Somedays I feel love but most days I feel like a nurse or a maid or something. I am wondering how you all deal with the change from partner and best friend to "whatever" this is now?
I know - a tough question but we have talked about the easy stuff and after being awake part of the night again for no reason at all except someone's clock is messed up - I was wondering...
I know - a tough question but we have talked about the easy stuff and after being awake part of the night again for no reason at all except someone's clock is messed up - I was wondering...
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