Heart of the Caregiver

Remember that song by Janet Jackson back in the 80’s: What Have You Done for Me Lately? The lyrics went like this:

Used to be a time when you would pamper me
Usta brag about it all the time
Your friends seem to think that you’re so peachy keen
But my friends say neglect is on your mind – Who’s right?

What have you done for me lately?
Ooh ooh ooh yeah
What have you done for me lately?
Ooh ooh ooh yeah

I want you to take those lyrics, and ask yourself if you could be talking about yourself with those words? As a Family Caregiver, you know how hard it is to carve out time to do the things you once did…from reading a book or a magazine or going out with friends for lunch, to dating your significant other or even spending time with your children. Caring for older family members or those with special needs can be both exhausting and time-consuming. Depending on how much help you have from others, you could be providing care up to 24/7! Just ask yourself this question: What have I done for me lately? Ooh ooh ooh yeah!

Finding time to pamper and care for yourself when you are caring for someone else can seem impossible, but I promise that with a game plan, you can care for yourself while caring for another. Building a winning strategy involves collecting information, developing a plan, gathering resources and implementing your system. It also includes regular check-ins to determine what works and what doesn’t, and a willingness to make modifications and try different ideas if the first one, or several, are not helping you achieve the desired outcomes.

Let’s say your desired outcome is to find one hour every day to spend alone, relaxing and resting your mind and body. Here are steps you will need to take to accomplish this goal.

1. Consider the daily schedule that you observe with the one you care for. Consider the needs you are meeting with your loved one, and what other obligations you might have. Keep in mind that sleep and nutrition are ultimate necessities, so you cannot short-cut either of these when carving out your hour. Does your loved one nap regularly? Does s/he eat or take medications on a tight schedule? Does anyone come into the home on a regular basis to provide support services for cooking, cleaning, or caregiving? How does your current plan align with all of these details?
2. Once you have collected all of this information, you are ready to develop a plan. Write everything down for a week or two, and then examine the schedule to see if there is a time where you can “step away” and rest for a while. If you cannot find anything, ask a friend, family member, or someone you trust to look with you. Ask this person to push you to find a solution to your dilemma.
3. Once you have found your window of time, you need to gather resources. Use a pillbox to pre-sort meds so someone else might give them if your window of availability occurs when it’s time to take a pill. Consider who else might be available for the hour you need if there just is no safe way to leave your loved one unattended. Hire a professional home care company to provide support if you don’t have any local family or friends who can be available. Designate a space in your home that is your quiet place. Make it comfortable and cozy, and gather those things you want around you during your quiet time. Think about what you need to make this space and time conducive to your rest and restoration, and put it there.
4. Finally, put your plan in motion! As often as is possible, when it’s time for you to unplug, do it! You might need to start with only 15 minutes or so, to help the person you are caring for learn that they can trust another while you are away. Be firm with the substitute caregiver; they need to figure out how to manage while you are taking some time to care for yourself. You need this time to be a better Family Caregiver, and they are here to help you accomplish this goal! Work up to your hour, and maybe even go beyond it. You will be amazed at how much better you feel, and how much more you can get accomplished with a little break now and then.

Once you’ve implemented your plan over a few days or weeks, you will want to check in with your support caregivers, as well as the one you care for, to discover how things are running and feeling for them. Sometimes it will be evident that the plan is not working. Perhaps your substitute isn’t working out or needs you for something every day. Maybe your loved one is more difficult to manage when you are away for the hour over several days. Any number of things might go wrong, but with patience and a willingness to make small adjustments in your plan, you should be able to find a working solution before long that will help you take your “me” time regularly, and you will be a much better Family Caregiver for doing this! And I promise, when you can pamper yourself regularly, even just a little bit, I promise you will find yourself saying, “Ooh, ooh, ooh YEAH!”

My mother fell and broke her hip. I got the call from my brother as the ambulance was transporting her to the hospital. I’ve been rehearsing this scenario for months now: what to do when I get the call, how to pack, how to travel to Georgia to be at my mother’s side in the hospital. Chris asked how I was doing. “I’m fine,” I replied. Of course, I wasn’t fine. I was just running on automatic at that point.

Five hours later I arrived at the hospital, and the next day she went into surgery. It was quickly determined that, at 97 years of age, she could not tolerate the therapy schedule required to stay in the hospital’s rehab program. She could barely hold her eyes open, and cried out in pain whenever anyone touched her. After six days, we requested a referral for hospice, and she was discharged home with hospice and around-the-clock care from Home Instead’s CAREGivers.

During those six days in the hospital, I felt both hope and hopelessness as I watched my mother struggle with physical therapy. I felt anger when she simply wouldn’t try. I was bewildered when she woke and thought that I was her mother, my grandmother. I felt relief when she survived the surgery to repair the broken hip, and then frustration when she repeatedly wished she could go ahead and die. I felt relief, and a little disappointment, when the hospital’s rehab program said they wouldn’t take her. I felt peace about bringing hospice into the equation, and sadness that my mother really is at the end of her life. It might be months, or even years now, but hospice brings a sense of finality to my mom’s story.

As a Family Caregiver, you are on an emotional roller-coaster ride on the best of days. One hour might be bright and wonderful, and the next might be painful, frustrating, or terrifying. And Family Caregivers who live at a distance from their loved ones are always waiting to receive “that phone call” that might tear them from their daily routines and send them into new landscapes of care. Whether you care for someone daily, or from a distance, you need a toolkit to help you remain strong through the toughest of times.

Your first tools are the things we’ve been talking about over the last few weeks. Taking care of yourself physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally will prepare you to manage the situation when it becomes challenging. You will be better equipped to manage the stress in your life and think clearly and with focus when you need to do so. Think of yourself as an athlete in training. You are a Family Caregiver in training for the crisis moments that will present themselves at the worst possible moments. Daily preparation helps the athlete perform at his or her best whenever the opportunity presents itself. You will be able to do the same. If you haven’t already, start today!

Next, you need to educate you on possible challenges and potential outcomes related to the person for whom you provide care. What is the best-case scenario, and what is the worst? Talk with an expert to help you gain a thorough understanding of the prospects, and to help you make a plan for best outcomes. Educate other family members and gain their commitments of support for your plans.

Third, learn about local resources that can help you manage the situation. This might include involving Home Health, Home Care, or Hospice Services. It could mean making a decision to move your loved one to a facility if you can no longer provide adequate care at home. It might mean enlisting other family members, neighbors or friends to help you manage things like household maintenance, meals, lawn care, laundry, or even just to give you a break. And remember, this time can be used to sleep, eat, exercise, or socialize with friends. You still need to be taking care of yourself while you are caring for your loved one.

Finally, embrace the fact that you are not in this alone. Accept that you need help, and get it. Also accept that the help you get might not look exactly like you want it to, but if it can give you back your balance and sanity, then allow and appreciate it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request slight modifications, but also don’t micromanage a hired caregiver, healthcare worker, neighbor or friend who is there to help you and your loved one. Move to a mental place of thankfulness and resist feelings of guilt for letting someone else care for your mom. It’s what I had to do.

I mentioned earlier that my mother came home yesterday with around-the-clock care from Home Instead. Last night the overnight CAREGiver arrived at 8:00 pm. My mother asked why she was there, and insisted that she didn’t need anyone overnight, because I was there to care for her. I stuffed down the rising guilt inside of me, and spoke up. “Yes, Mama, we do need her here. I need her here tonight so I can get some rest and know that you are being looked after.” My mother slept well last night, with a Home Instead CAREGiver by her side. And I slept well also, knowing she was cared for.

Mary was caring for her husband, John, who had dementia. The couple were both in their 80’s and had been married for more than 50 years. John’s decline after his diagnosis was gradual, and at first Mary was able to keep up with her normal routines.

One Tuesday when Mary arrived to pick John up from his coffee group, he was gone. She found him only a few blocks away, but he was confused, disoriented, and cold. She quickly took him home and called John’s doctor, who said this was to be expected at this stage of the dementia. The doctor also discussed options to help Mary with John’s care, but she refused help, certain she could take care of her husband.

Over the next several weeks and months, Mary stopped going to her social engagements. Mary’s daughter noticed that her mother sounded tired and distracted whenever they spoke on the phone. When the daughter came for a visit a couple of months later, she was more stunned by her mother’s decline than by her father’s advancing dementia.

When a Family Caregiver withdraws from social engagement because of their caregiving responsibilities, everyone loses. Taking time to yourself will make you a better caregiver by improving your morale and letting you rest and recharge. Maintaining your social circle is critical for your health, as well as the health of the person for whom you are caring.

Here are a few ideas for nurturing your friendships after you become a Family Caregiver:

1. Don’t shut people out. You might not feel like you have the emotional energy or the time to engage with anyone else, but it’s important that you find the energy and take the time. Let friends help, and your burden won’t be so heavy. And if, from time to time, you need to cancel plans, stay in touch and let friends know what’s going on.
2. Communicate honestly. Share what’s going on at home with others who are close to you. Opening windows into your life allows others to better understand your true circumstances, and your needs.
3. Be a friend back. Look for opportunities to reach out first. Ask how friends are doing, and take an interest in their lives. Share positive stories about your life; it will lift your mood as well as theirs. Remember that they have problems, too.
4. Make time for regular social engagement. Schedule, honor, and keep it. This will give you better balance and a greater ability to care for your loved one.
5. Show appreciation to those who help you. Write a note, or send flowers. A small gesture goes a long way among friends, and this world of text messages, Instagram and email, a tangible thank you goes farther than you might even imagine.
6. Utilize Social Media options to stay connected. Facebook is a great way to connect with people over vast geographic distances, or even just across the street. Skype, Facetime, or other video call platforms allow you to see your friends even if you are living in different time zones. Find an online support group and share your story with others who may resonate with it.

Finally, it’s important to maintain a healthy point of perspective on your particular situation. It might feel like your life is all doctor’s appointments and insurance paperwork, but that’s not who you are. Your friends love you, not your role as a caregiver. It’s okay to vent and share what’s going on in your life, but remember that it’s important to talk about other stuff, too.

Caregiving is a time in our lives when we are concentrating on the wellbeing of others. In order to maintain our own wellbeing, we should do at least minimal upkeep on outside friendships. The day will likely come when our caregiving season ends, and we will need our friends more than ever at that time. If we take an interest in what our friends are doing now, they are more likely to be around when our caregiving days are over.

 

 

Having a healthy spiritual life means different things to different people. Chris and I are actively involved in our church, and our church family has supported us through many of life’s joys and sorrows. Churches, Bible study groups, fellowship or small groups and the like can provide accountability, encouragement, suggestions of resources and even respite care support when you need it…but you have to speak up and share your needs within these spiritual circles of trust. Our church family has celebrated one daughter’s wedding, our infant son’s death, the loss of Chris’s mother and many smaller milestones along the way. We love these people for how they have been family to us the last 20+ years, and we wouldn’t survive without them! Our church family takes care of us when we need them most, and we, in turn, take care of others out of the spiritual nurture we receive there.

Chris and I both grew up in Christian homes. We both accepted Christ at an early age, and began to grow spiritually from the time we were children. We both entered vocational ministry in our mid-twenties prior to our marriage. We have walked very similar paths in this respect. Today the nurture of our spiritual lives involves daily (at least most days) Bible study, prayer and meditation, regular fellowship with other Christians, mission or service projects, and stewardship of our gifts and resources to represent Christ to others we meet along our life journey.

None of us are perfect in our spiritual lives. My friend Kyle Matthews is a Christian singer/song writer who wrote a song made famous by Bob Carlisle some years back called We Fall Down. The chorus goes like this:

We fall down, we get up,

We fall down, we get up,

We fall down, we get up,

And the saints are just the sinners

Who fall down and get up.

I fall down…a lot! But when I accept God’s forgiveness for my shortcomings, and ask Him for help with challenges or extreme needs, I always find that His provision is exactly what I need to get up again. God’s provision may not be what I asked for, or what I thought I needed, but I can clearly see in hindsight why His way was perfect for my situation. And people who practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, Scripture study, journaling, and worship on a regular basis indicate that they experience feelings of hope, peace, and joy. They are generally not depressed and can cope with life’s challenges in healthier ways. Furthermore, many spiritual people are physically healthier as well! By nurturing your spiritual health, you will fortify your capacity to care for the people within your care.

What’s your best spiritual discipline? And how do you keep it fresh and vibrant in your life? Join the conversation and share your heart!

 

 

Last weekend Chris and I participated in our local Alzheimer’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Along with hundreds of other people in our community, we raised money and raised awareness of this devastating disease. Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias impacts everyone in our community over the course of our lifetimes. Perhaps you are caring for someone with dementia, or have someone in your family who has the disease. Maybe you have noticed someone at church, or in your community, who seems disoriented or confused when they are in a social setting. You might see an older person become agitated or argumentative when they are eating at a restaurant, or shopping in the grocery store.

Many people who have undiagnosed or recently diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia still live alone within their communities. When the disease process is in an early stage, symptoms are often dismissed as normal forgetfulness, signs of old age, or they might even be camouflaged through humor or avoidance. As the disease advances, behavior changes cannot be hidden and the truth comes to light, but sometimes awareness comes too late. Early intervention through support services, medication management, and a progressive plan of care can make the difference between a high quality of life and a complete loss of quality of life.

Here are some things to look for if you are concerned about a family member, neighbor, or friend at church. While Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia may not be the cause, these are all indicators that the person you care about needs some help at this point in their life.

1. Is the house that was usually kept clean and neat now cluttered and dirty? Does the exterior of the house need maintenance, and do the lawn and shrubbery need upkeep?
2. Does the mail or paper sit uncollected in the box for days at a time, or do bills go unpaid until utilities get turned off?
3. Has someone stopped attending church or social functions when they once regularly attended these activities and enjoyed them?
4. Is your neighbor’s car showing signs of neglect, or damage from minor scrapes and dents? Has your neighbor forgotten to put the car in park and had it roll back into shrubbery or a tree?
5. Is someone who used to be well-dressed and put together now wearing dirty clothing and neglecting personal hygiene?
6. Does someone forget to take their medications, or exhibit uncertainty about whether or not meds have been taken according to doctor’s instructions?
7. Is someone making poor nutritional choices or is there out-of-date food in the pantry or refrigerator? Have you noticed weight gain or loss?
8. Has speech becomes repetitive or confused?
9. Do you notice a marked decrease in physical activity levels from previous norms? Have you noticed a general decline in physical, mental, or emotional characteristics and ability?

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit www.alz.org. For more tips on caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, visit https://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com.

Chris and I hope you will join the conversation, and share your heart!

When I travel to visit my mother, now 97 years old, I pack my workout clothes. I’m certainly no expert, but at 57 years of age, I’ve learned that going for a walk/run every morning helps me deal with the stress of my day, whether I’m at work or with my mom. This is especially challenging when I visit my mom. You see, I need to get up early to get this done before my day of caregiving begins, but she likes to stay up late, and wants me to stay up with her. It’s quite the balancing act to make it all work out…and this morning it totally crashed and burned!

I was up until about 12:30 last night, watching TV with her and then helping her get settled into bed. I finally got to sleep, with an alarm set for 8:30. Usually when I am here, she sleeps until well after 9:00 am, and sometimes even 10:00 or later. My morning workout takes about 45 minutes, so I planned to leave the house at 8:45 am and get back by 9:30. Surprise! My mom got up at 8:30 am, so no early morning workout for me today. Well, I thought, I’ll get it in later when she takes a nap.

And then the second surprise happened. After breakfast my mother, now 97, nearly fell…again. She is perplexed by why she is so prone to falls, and it worries my brother and me that she is in her house alone for most of every day. But she is stubborn, obstinate, and insistent that she does not need help…until she does, and then it’s too late. Fortunately, I was with her this morning when the almost-fall happened. I quickly reached around and supported her. She sagged into me, and I coached her to stand up straight, which she finally did. She is napping as I write this, and I sit and ponder what to do for my mother, and how I will take care of myself today and in the days ahead, while also taking care of her.

I shared my morning’s experience to make a couple of points.

My first point is this: regular exercise does lots of great things for you. It balances your blood glucose levels, releases endorphins (the feel-good hormones), strengthens your bones and builds lean muscle mass. Working out helps you sleep better, too. It focuses you mentally and gives you more energy to be a better caregiver. It also relieves stress, as I mentioned earlier.

Regular exercise should include both cardio workouts, which elevate your heart rate, and weight-bearing exercises that build lean muscle mass and strengthen your bones. There are lots of resources out on the web or in bookstores that can give you ideas of how to structure a workout that fits your schedule. I’m no exercise physiologist, but here are some of my favorite workouts:

• Brisk walking for 45 minutes (I occasionally do a little light jogging) in good shoes. I put in wireless earbuds and listen to a good book on Audible, or a podcast, or music with a beat that matches my pace. This is something you can do almost anywhere.
• Yoga. You can do this in the privacy of your home or at a studio if you can get away. Start with a beginner workout if you’ve never done Yoga before. Yoga counts as weight-bearing exercise, and helps with flexibility as well as strength.
• Free weights or machine weights. If you haven’t tried this before, be sure to go to a gym and work with an instructor first. You can really hurt yourself if you don’t know what you are doing!
• Zumba. I love this because it’s like Latin dancing, but in a studio setting with other people. It’s fun, I sweat and get a great cardio workout, and I feel great afterwards!
• Biking. Our town has some great bike paths, so my husband and I get on our bikes and ride! You can also take a spin class and get the same benefit, but I love the feeling of the wind in my face. You don’t need a fancy bike, but you do need one with working gears and a good bike helmet. Remember, safety first!

These are just a few of my favorite ways to exercise. The important thing is to find something you really enjoy doing, and then find time to do it several times a week. Enlist the help of a friend if the person you care for cannot be left alone, or take advantage of times when s/he is engaged in another activity, like sleeping or watching television, to go into another room. Even doing a few dips, squats, wall push-ups, or planks will make you feel better. If you are just starting out, get your doctor’s permission first, and then try to walk 250 steps every hour. Wear a fitness device like a FitBit^R or even a simple pedometer to help you keep track of your movement. But start moving and keep moving to continue moving into your own old age.

My second point is this: always have a back-up plan in case your day crashes and burns like mine did today. When your original plan for exercise gets derailed, don’t just give up for the day. Know what Plan B is, and implement it accordingly. If your morning workout time gets hijacked, like mine did this morning, then you have an alternate plan for taking care of yourself later in the day! And if your day completely falls apart, which can happen when you are a Family Caregiver, don’t beat yourself up. Just breathe deeply, accept the current reality, and focus ahead on the next day. When I miss my morning walk, my Plan B is Yoga, which I also love. I can do it in the next room while my mom is napping. So, if you will please excuse me, I must implement Plan B before my mother wakes up from her nap!

Chris and I hope you will join the conversation, and share your heart on where exercise fits into your caregiving strategies, or what challenges you face when finding the time to work out.

Let’s face it, we can’t live without food! But some foods are our friends, and others might be our enemies. Hopefully you grew up in a household where someone, maybe your mom, put a healthy meal on the table at least once a day, and maybe more. My mom never let us leave the house in the morning without breakfast, and my brother and I usually ate lunch at school. Dinner was a regular occurrence, and almost always it was a home-cooked meal. We would have roast beef, ham, pork chops, or spaghetti most often. Occasionally there was a salad, though this was not a regular occurrence. There was always bread, and a jar of mayonnaise was a staple condiment! On rare occasions we had chicken, turkey, or fish, but these were rare because my mom didn’t like cooking them.

My husband and I grew up in the south, where cooks are plentiful and wonderful! Most of my favorite foods are sweet in some way: chicken salad has a little added sugar, baked beans and spaghetti sauce has brown sugar added in significant quantities, and, of course, all those wonderful cakes, pies, and tasty treats! Then there are the drinks served on hot summer days (or all year round…): sweet tea, lemonade, fruit tea, mint juleps, and the like. It’s enough to make almost anyone diabetic! But it’s the culture we were raised in, so it’s all we knew. As adults, we have both struggled with weight issues, mostly because we didn’t know how we should be eating to make food our friend rather than our enemy. Now, to be truthful, God made each one of us differently; to be at our optimal health, our nutritional needs are different from one individual to the next.

 Here are a few nutritional concepts you should consider as a family caregiver:

1. How does your food make you feel? Do you come away from a meal energized and ready to move? Are you sharp and focused, or are you dragging and tired? Do you need a nap after eating? If these descriptions sound familiar, then what you are eating is not your friend! Try keeping a food journal for a month. Jot down what you are eating, and then set a timer. An hour or two after your meal, ask yourself how you feel, and jot that down. See if any trends emerge. This can build a guide for which foods are your friends, and which are not.
2. How often do you eat? If you skip breakfast, grab a quick lunch/brunch at drive-through, and then order carryout for dinner, you’re probably not getting enough nutritional bang for your bucks! You should eat five to six small meals throughout your day if possible. Instead of eating a little breakfast, a light lunch and a big dinner, try to think of it this way. Consider all the food you eat in your day, and imagine putting it all together, then dividing it out into five or six portions. This is about what you should be eating. And whether you are into Atkins or Paleo, Vegan or South Beach, Weight Watchers or another dietary option, every “weight loss” plan out there suggests having regular meals and snacks in between. This is why. If you eat five or six times daily, and let every “meal” have some complex carbs, lean protein, and fiber, you will sustain energy throughout your day!
3. Do you eat enough fruits and veggies? That “apple a day” thing really works! You say you don’t like apples? Try some other fruits, or better yet, have a smoothie for breakfast!
4. Where do your carbs come from? You should try to limit your simple carbohydrates like bread, cookies, flour-based pastas and bready casseroles. Most of your daily carbs (which give you energy) should come from your fresh or frozen fruits and veggies. Some are better than others, but all have benefits for your health.
5. Do you have some lean protein at every meal? Lean protein doesn’t have to be animal protein. There are lots of plant-based proteins that are healthy, lean, and tasty!
6. How much your water do you drink each day? I cannot say enough about this important concept. Your body is mostly made of water, so a little dehydration can wreak havoc on your health and energy. Try adding a little fresh-squeezed lemon juice if you don’t like the taste of water. Invest in a water filter if your tap water has added chemicals like chlorine (which most municipal water has). But drink up! I shoot for 100 oz. each day, and I usually succeed. Of course, there is a side effect to increasing your water intake: you’ll go to the bathroom lots of times throughout the day. But the upside is that you’ll always know where the public restroom is when you need one! The water flushes impurities from your body, helps with digestion, and keeps you regular, if you know what I mean…

I could go on and on, but I’m no nutritionist. I’m just a family caregiver who has struggled over the years with being overweight, fatigued, foggy-brained and depressed. When I began to put together how much difference the food I was eating could make on how I felt in the rush of my day, I began to make changes and discovered the power of food in my life!

By the way, when I suggested in #3 above having a smoothie for breakfast, I don’t mean the ones you can pick up at the drive-thru. Those usually have massive amounts of sugar, because Americans think it has to taste sweet if it’s a smoothie. And, if you didn’t already know this, added sugar can leave you feeling foggy-brained, tired, and slow. But if you make your smoothie at home with a good blender, you can start your day (or have lunch) with fresh spinach, kale, berries, pineapple, coconut water or coconut milk, and some hemp hearts for protein. It’s delicious, and you have a complete meal in a glass! Even better, you won’t feel tired or draggy afterwards, and it will keep you going for hours! Here’s my go-to website for ideas on great smoothies: https://www.simplegreensmoothies.com

Oh, and I forgot to mention, I can still have the occasional slice of cheesecake. It’s still my guilty pleasure, but it’s an indulgence, not a reward, and not a comfort food. My health and energy are too valuable to give cheesecake that kind of power in my life. It’s my energy, my health, and my life, as well as the health and life of my loved ones. When I eat friendly foods, I give better care. It’s that simple.

Join the conversation below, and share your heart on this and other issues affecting family caregivers!

This week’s blog is from guest contributor Marla Brown.

I grew to despise the word…..FINE.  Starting out in the early stages of progressive Alzheimer’s with my Mother, I too, believed she was FINE.  After all, her husband of 44 years had passed and now she was alone.  Still, FINE was not a great word to describe her status, it was an OK word to use.

As the weeks turned into months however, her phone calls to me escalated and I could not see anything positive in the word FINE.  NO now, she was not FINE.  “Oh, your Mother is FINE”, she just misses your father.  She “is still grieving”.  “Leave her alone, she will be OK”.  DUH – if I had indeed left alone, she would never have made it alone being FINE.

The friends/family that used this word frequently did not partake in Mom’s care as closely and frequently as I did.  They did not go to her home 5 out of 7 days a week to check on her/bring her food/help her in her home,  they did not answer her 20 phone calls per night.  Mom did not show up at their backdoor frantic and panicked because she couldn’t get me on the phone.  They didn’t see the declining issues with cognitive impairment and memory (oops maybe they did) – let me reword that – they probably did notice it, but they didn’t have to DEAL with it as I did.  Her eating habits had caused her to lose weight, her once impeccable hygiene was lacking, the front yard had grass over a foot high, her physical appearance was deteriorating, her mood swings were now obvious (well I can speak for myself), and her short term memory had plummeted.

Mom was FINE?  I think not.

Then there are always the family members that want peace and tranquility for all. The Clan needs to stick together.  It sounded a little lopsided to me – but OK I tried.  But I have to refer back to the FINE word.  Now it is not even listed in my words used to describe Mom.

I am stressed, frustrated beyond human endurance and all that is needed is tranquility and for us all to get along?  Meanwhile I continue taking care of Mom, my own family, working full-time 30 miles away and driving to Mom’s house to check on her at least 4 times per week.  I straighten up her home, I wash her clothes, I clean her bathroom—because I love her and it needed to be done.

Then, I had a great idea.  I offered those who verbosely expressed that I needed to “leave Mom alone and get off her back” full care of Mom.  I told them we could drive to the elder attorney’s office and I would gladly switch my DPOA over to them!  Great idea, I thought.  Then, we will see if they still think Mom is FINE.  I can guarantee you, they wouldn’t have. But to my disappointment, none accepted my offer!  But why not I asked?  You are more than happy to take over Mom’s care….full time care.  Judging by biting comments, I assumed they could and would be more competent than I was.

I even had one friend of my parents whose children I grew up – suggest (and she was serious) that I move IN with MOM on a full time basis.  Simply she said, quit your job, pack up and move in with your Mother.  She needs you.  This way I could take care of Mom’s hygiene, nutrition, errands, housework, appointments, and yard.  OK I said….one minor problem.  Are you going to pay my SALARY after I quit my job to move in with MOM?  This in turn helps make our mortgage payment.  Well….if you guessed her answer was no, you would be correct.

I asked her if she had lost her mind. The sad thing is, she was serious.  She had done this with her Mother – but one huge difference, she had never worked outside the home.  We never spoke after that conversation.

Being scrutinized as caregiver was one of the hardest issues I had to deal with.  I received complaints and comments – but when I offered – no one else wanted to take over the responsibility.

You know what?  I will go to my grave knowing I did the best job humanly possible taking care of my Mother.  Loving her, protecting her, standing up for her rights, and treating her with the dignity and respect that she deserved.

I know she is watching me from above, and is very proud of me.

 

Sleep is a seriously undervalued resource in most people’s lives. When my oldest daughter was small, she would resist naptime and dreaded having to go to bed because she thought she might miss something important. Most people recognize cranky behavior in infants and toddlers as a good indicator the child needs sleep. So what about you? While you might not have time each day for an afternoon nap, do you get enough sleep at night? If not, you might find yourself feeling tired, irritable, short-tempered or even depressed! And as a Family Caregiver, you owe it to yourself and those you care for to put your best foot forward each day when you climb out of bed.

Most people need seven to nine hours of sleep each night to be at their best. This sleep time is necessary for you to function at your best as you care for others. A good night’s sleep equips you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to fulfill your obligations each day.

Your body uses sleep to store energy in cells that will carry you through the next day. While you sleep your muscles, skin and bones get to rest and rejuvenate. Your digestive system keeps working to flush out what needs to be eliminated and send nutrients to all areas of your body, nourishing and regenerating you physically so you will be ready to go back to work the next day.

Your brain is a little computer in your skull. In order to function at it’s maximum capacity, your brain must process it’s daily input and file information where it needs to go, clearing space for the next day’s activities. This happens while you sleep. By freeing up space during sleep time, you may even find your memory improves over time!

Emotionally you will feel more balanced and not as prone to angry outbursts, feelings of depression and hopelessness, or other negative outlooks when you get enough sleep each night. By feeling more rested, you will be able to set the right tone for your day as well as those your care for.

Spiritually, l find that when I feel rested I also feel more aware of God’s presence in my life. I am more focused in my prayer life and when I study scripture I am more open to His teachings. God can work better through me when I am equipping myself for His work, and part of that process involves getting enough sleep.

So what do you need to do to get more sleep? It’s a good question, and the answer is a little different for everyone. Experiment, and try making little adjustments over a period of time. Keep a sleep journal, and make notes about what helps you settle down and get your Zzzzz’s. Here’s my magic formula for getting a good night’s sleep:

1. My bedroom is cool at night, about 65 degrees. It’s also dark and relatively quiet.
2. I have a warm mug of unsweetened almond milk at bedtime, with a dash of maple syrup, cayenne pepper and ginger. It gives me a protein boost that stabilizes my blood sugar through the night. Let me know if you want the recipe!
3. I don’t watch TV or look at my iPad or iPhone except for a brief check before I turn off the lights.
4. I avoid caffeine after midday, and usually avoid it entirely.
5. I go to bed at about the same time each night, and get up at a consistent time each morning.

I hope this information helps you to improve your sleep as well as your days. I also hope you will share with us what works for you. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Family Caregivers everywhere, one day at a time. Join the conversation below and share your heart!

Here’s a link to find more tips on how to get a good night’s sleep:

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/getting-better-sleep.htm

https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-tools-tips/healthy-sleep-tips