Some helpful hints for long distance caregivers……….

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Hi……there is a great website called caregivers.com. This excerpt comes from their information this week. It is helpful for those caregivers who live at some distance from the person who is ill:
Tips for Long Distance Caregivers:
What you can do to ease the pain of separation.

Let your loved one know you are still there for him or her.
Call frequently. Hold normal conversations. Do not focus on the disease. Do talk about what is happening with friends and family.
Play their favorite music over the phone.
Share sources of calmness that may ease their path.
Read aloud – poetry or stories they would enjoy.
E-mail jokes, funny stories, pieces of relevant information, inspirational messages.
Arrange an electronic chat room with additional friends communicating.
Mail surprise packages – musical CDs, movies, books, crossword puzzles, easy to handle crafts.
Send a bouquet of balloons. Have a clown deliver the gift.
Share fun memories the two of you have enjoyed together

……….yes, you are still considered to be a caregiver even if you live at a distance! Regards this Wednesday…….Regina

If You Are a Caregiver for Someone with Dementia, Here Are Some Helpful Hints!!

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Hi……….since I facilitate a few caregiver support groups, I have many caregivers who bring in tidbits of advice for each other. This one came from a caregiver who is caring for a husband with vascular dementia and a daughter who is developmentally disadvantaged. It is a reminder for all of us and is written in the person of the one with the disease:
1. Smile.
2. If you get tense, I do too.
3. If the situation is just nutty, smile. I’ll feel better.
4. Talk slowly and with a few words.
5. Don’t give long explanations. I’ll just say “no” to be on the safe side. Smile.
6. Slow down and don’t sneak up on me. Smile.
7. Make sure you have my attention before you start blabbering away.
8. Please make eye contact before you speak to me. Smile.
9. Sometimes you talk to me like I’m a child or an idiot. Just stop and smile.
10. You talk too much. Instead, try taking my hand and leading the way. Oh, and did I mention…..smile!
I hope you found this as simple and enlightening as I did. Happy 2014 to you all. Write and let me know how you are doing…………Regards…………Regina