Category: Caregiving

Caregiving For All:  Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

Remember open enrollment for Medicare insurance is now open, and don’t forget your flu and covid shots. Please don’t think once you have had the shot that you are covered for life. Covid has been very active in my area this summer, including a larger number of seniors. Thank God they only had mild cases because their shots were up to date.

From Del: It’s time to sit down and have another chat. I think about you daily as I get new emails from my resources and start working on the next Caregiver for All message. It has been hectic this past month. I want to say thank you for the responses after my last email where I shared my struggles and frustrations. One obvious thing is that Caregiving is always an adventure, with way more struggles than we thought we could handle. Fortunately, we have God keeping us upright and surviving if we let Him. I share what I am experiencing, not to be recognized, as each of us has our situations that affect us deeply. I’m far from perfect and never will be, but we are doing our best. It seems like sometimes it isn’t enough, and we wonder what we are doing. I will tell you that without my faith, I don’t believe I could have survived dealing with my parents in the 90s and now with my wife. You may agree that at times it seems we are living in the TV show “Days of Our Lives.”
For the last two weeks, I have been living one of those episodes. Luann injured her foot when she caught it on the carpet while rolling down the hall in her truck (electric wheelchair). I’m thinking about getting her a VW Bug. Staff checked her numerous times, but didn’t believe it was broken. After five days of swelling, I tried to contact her in-house doctor and her old primary (according to Medicare you can’t have both doctors). My training told me you can’t say for sure it’s not broken unless you do an X-ray. Just because you can move a joint and use it, doesn’t mean it’s not damaged. I finally took her in and it was broken, so now she is wearing a boot. Luann was also struggling with a new medicine after her hospital stay and rehab. She has problems with diarrhea nearly every time she changes to new meds. I finally stopped the new med and her problems cleared in two days. Luann calls me Doctor Del.
Yes, I did discuss this with staff and doctors. I’m firm but fair. I want it to be a learning experience rather than a battle and people on edge and afraid to act. Those of you who may have worked with me, know I once was like a “bull in a china shop” when things needed to get done. However, with age and God’s wisdom, I have tried to share grace and forgiveness. I believe that with God’s guidance, we can always find better ways to solve problems, rather than based on our own will and anger. Remember, we will get angry, but how do you want to deal with it? I’m still a long way from who I want to be, but if I’m not honest with you, you won’t want my help anymore. We will have moments of failure, but they are just one small moment in a day. It doesn’t have to ruin our whole day. It’s the same when caring for our loved ones. We Will Make Mistakes as Caregivers. Most of what we do is absolute love. A mistake or a moment of frustration, or even anger, is just one moment in a day. How about all the rest of the moments in our day? Don’t let the bad moments take you down. When you feel down and frustrated have a plan to find your way back to who you want to be. Recently, I shared on FB my frustration, which allowed me to share my feelings. When I do that, I’m usually trying to use it as a teaching moment, so that others can learn from my mistakes. The response was so wonderful and reassuring. Isn’t that what friends should do? Let it out! Don’t hold it in! Your friends want to know about you, but don’t know how to ask! In my loneliness research, which I have shared with you, don’t wait for friends to reach out to you. Reach out to old and new friends asking for coffee, or a visit. Whatever works for you but do something. No one can carry this burden alone. Thank you for what you do. God also thanks you!!!
Please forgive my editing mistakes.

From Del:

The first link is similar to something I sent this summer. It’s from a different source. The second and third are suggestions for you and your friends. As I said above, and research shows, you may need to share your feelings, so people understand. Stop saying I’m doing OK, and let people know you are struggling.

Links to other articles you may find helpful:

• Medicaid Misconceptions 
• Losing Interest in Life

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com

Caregiving For All:  October 14, 2024, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

I’m sure you have heard the expression: “Give a person a microphone and he will talk all night.” Well, the keyboard is my microphone, and this email is much longer than I want it to be, but I am aware of your time and do not want to overload you. So, for this one email, NO test will be given. Forgive me for being a little long.  I hope my latest experiences will be helpful to you.  September started when I was hacked on THE Google website. I lost most of my caregiving research and work, along with many other files off my desktop. If a semi-truck and trailer were what was lost, I was able to recover only about a pickup load. If you feel you are hacked turn off the computer immediately.

 

You might have thought I had forgotten you or walked away.  My memory is slipping, but I never walk away from those things that are so important to me and others.  It’s amazing how much I have learned in the past month about caregiving. Just this morning I was visiting my wife, Luann. who is now back in her apartment, after a two-week hospital and rehab stay because of choking and aspiration pneumonia, when her new OT person asked her this question, “What is the most important factor for you that would help you to enjoy your senior years?”  Luann chose “socialization.”  The therapist told her that was the most popular answer!  The therapist shared she had thought it would be physical fitness and health. Socialization ties in with what I have been working on and sharing since spring.  Senior loneliness is at a pandemic level.  I’m still learning.  Luann’s assisted living facility always has something going on, compared to my 55+ community with just coffee time, a couple of card games, and a potluck twice a month.  No wonder she is thriving.  She is not an introvert now.

In my online group, five of the seven have moved loved ones into nursing facilities, and the other two are actively seeking spots for their loved ones. I have heard from two in this email group and another friend who also made that same move. I believe that people seek and learn from the experiences of others. I am so glad that sharing our experiences in May and June helped ease the burden of being separated, and it has helped a few others.

Let me be clear, not every transition is successful. I have a couple of friends who pulled their loved ones out of a care facility, and I have seen a couple of care facilities shut down. You as the caregiver have to be vigilant and ask questions.  In Luann’s situation of choking, the dining room aide didn’t seem to know what to do. Luann made the mistake of thinking she had cleared her throat like she normally does and went back to her apartment.  She has these episodes about every 10-14 days, and the facility was aware.  By raising her arms above her head and stretching, she can clear the obstruction most of the time.  A few times a year she needs me to give her a hug which I adjust according to the situation.  Everyone should know the Heimlich hug.   When Luann got back to her apartment after choking, she called me and asked me to come over.  I couldn’t quite understand her but was there in five minutes.  She had not pushed her call button for help.  I had her push it and tried to stretch her as I usually do, but nothing seemed to help release the pain in the chest.  I did the hug, but nothing was helping. Her oxygen levels were dropping, so I had the staff call 911.  She was hospitalized for five days, and in rehab for another eight days.  She got physically weaker in the hospital which is common for seniors.

The Gastro doctor had to have an EGD test, which is a camera down the throat to check the esophagus and part of the stomach. Her last one was eight years ago, and she coded during the procedure, so she didn’t want it again.  However, we needed that information, and she finally relented. She did very well.  They found that her Muscular Dystrophy had weaken the muscles of the esophagus so that food does not move easily to the stomach.  They put her on a soft diet but changed it when she left rehab.  I am not happy about that decision and have made my concerns clear.  Luann does struggle with memory at times.  She has rules to follow for swallowing, but …. easily forgets.  If she has another episode she will need to be on a mechanical soft diet until she may eventually have to go on a feeding tube.

As the caregiver, your role doesn’t end when they are in a nursing home or hospital.  In the hospital, I asked for soap for her bathroom. After three days of asking for soap, on the third day, I told the nurse I would find someone, and I did.  I asked them nicely to help me with the soap.  It turned out to be a pinched tube in the dispenser.  Now I know what to check next time.  The nurse had called her charge nurse, but I asked her to call back and explain what it was.  Don’t cause trouble until you have to.  Being diligent without attacking gets you a lot further.  People who are attacked tend to be more conservative and afraid to help.  There are times that you need to be assertive, but again tell them, don’t yell at them.  I made that mistake once when my very young granddaughter was in the ER three times in two days. I was angry and told the triage nurse so.  Later while waiting for her test results, God hit me with a board and told me to apologize. I did and I took five minutes of being dressed down and shamed by the ER charge nurse.  I deserved it and accepted it.  God wouldn’t let me move.  Now, I bring candy to every appointment and visit for the nurses, to make up for what I did.   I’ve also learned to be positive with staff who are doing their best in hectic situations. Multiple hour waits in the ER are now the norm.  Explain your concern.  In my case wife Luann, the uncomfortable chairs bother my back.  I ask for a better one.

I talked to the nurse at Luann’s care facility about clearing up the misunderstanding of what happened with Luann choking.  I learned that aides are not to do anything other than call for a nurse.  I informed her that in Minnesota’s Good Samaritan law, like all states, those who give aid are not responsible for their efforts.  In some states, like Minnesota, a person can be fined $300 for not offering aid. Did I mention her big eyes?  Also, this weekend, someone forgot to have a cook on duty, so residents were stuck with salads and deli sandwiches.  I let them know that those meals are paid for, and I haven’t seen too many $17 salads. I did it in a caring way.  Before you take this place off your list, Luann is very happy, and because of the socialization, she is doing much better.  I wasn’t satisfied with the answer, so I talked with the director and expressed my concerns.  I learned that the state doesn’t allow anyone but nurses and CNAs to offer assistance and that they must be trained, even though the ethics section on the next page of their manual states that all staff must aid residents in all situations. Can you guess what my next step was?  I asked for copies of those pages.  I will talk with my state legislators.

On a surprising and positive note for Luann, while in rehab she had to do some heart tests, as her MD affects her heart and eyes also.  They found that she HAS NOT had any AFib moments in the past three months. She has been in her new home for three months.  I know some of you are thinking it’s because she got away from me. I am very glad that she hasn’t had any AFib signs, but I’m still very crushed at the reasoning.  Rather, I think this is because of where she is now living.  I did everything I could to get her involved and make her happy. I offered to take her out for dinner, a movie, or whatever, but she declined because it was difficult for both of us. I didn’t want to go out by myself, and felt I needed to be with her. How could I have fun, when she was at home alone?  I didn’t want her to eat alone. Now, she has everything in her complex, and she is very satisfied. The jury is still out on my satisfaction.

 

Quick thoughts on what I have learned in the last month that I will cover later:

1. Based on percentages, who handles these types of transitions better, men or women? Why?
2. How can you find out which facility is best for your loved one?
3. What happens after your loved one is moved?  How does the caregiver let go and find peace after the move?

 

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church, and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com

God bless you on your journey ahead.

A couple of links I recently received that got my attention because I feel I’m at that point.

• Memory Loss Among Caregivers
• Having a Purpose in Life Protects Your Brain

 

As a caregiver, you may find your role to be quite stressful. However, there are ways to help relieve stress. I came across an article that I found particularly helpful in this regard. It offers various ways to alleviate stress. Please note that the website I am sharing with you is free, but it contains ads. Here’s the link to the article: 14 Practical Ways to Relive Caregiver Stress.

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to

Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

Caregiving For All:  September 3, 2023, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

As you already know, I too am a caregiver for my wife, and for a 96-year-old woman without any family nearby. The week of July 9-15 was tough for me, and it made me think about all the things we have talked about. In a conversation I had this past Thursday with my pastor, we talked about those caregiving issues and my spiritual experience preparing for the service I did last Sunday the 16th.

The first issue, of the second week of July, was struggling with the beginning of my sermon for July 16. Next, the 96-year-old, who is in memory care, was very upset about her money. She wanted to spend most of it for not an appropriate reason. I have no legal authority to handle any of her finances, or medical decisions; nor do I want them since that would go against my ministry responsibilities. A financial guardian takes care of those issues. I do communicate with those people and can see her medical files to help her. For a while, she thought I took her money and spent it. I tried to explain to her that she needed money to pay for her nursing care. I sent a text message to her financial guardian saying that person that the senior wants to spend some of her money, and also wants bank statements. As soon as I left, I immediately sent another text message telling her to ignore my previous message and to call me when they could to discuss. There is more background information that I can’t share. A few days later she changed her mind. Unfortunately, today she was back to giving her money away again. Some of you have noticed that having memory issues can create difficult situations. I would say this is an example of where those little white lies can be helpful, rather than creating animosity and bad reactions. To be honest with you, this is what has motivated me to share help and guidance for other caregivers, not necessarily because of all my wife’s issues.

Friday, July 14, was the day my wife had her 4+ hours at the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinated Treatment Clinic. She sees all the different therapists and her neurologist. Luann doesn’t like to have me there because I am honest and say what needs to be said. She gives me her Italian Evil Eye, and I’ve learned to be quiet until the next therapist or doctor comes in. It was sad to hear that she has lost most of her strength in all her extremities, and also has three fingers that won’t bend anymore. She had decided she couldn’t do the exercises at all back in November. We had agreed about two years ago that she would tell me when she was too tired to keep exercising, and doing things that kept her strong. This spring I had trouble lifting this petite woman because of my back and told her that she needed to get back to doing exercises, or we would have to start looking for a care facility for her sooner than we wanted. She did start doing exercises again, but the time away prevented her from getting the full benefit. Now we need more help with equipment to keep her at home. Unfortunately, more in-home aid is not available because everyone is short-staffed. I’m tired of that excuse. I have hired a friend to come in once a week to give me a chance to do something I need to accomplish, and Luann a break from me. Let me be clear, Luann continues to do activities in the building and enjoys her iPad.

Last weekend, I felt guilty that I had let her down, and not pushed to keep her exercising. Don’t let yourself get caught up in guilt. All it will do is interrupt logical thinking and make you worry about things out of your control. Guilt can be a determent to both the caregiver and the care receiver. We cannot play the game of “Should have; would have and could have.” We must realize that we are doing the best that we can. Letting negative medical and physical changes take over our lives creates a situation where we may second-guess ourselves. It can slowly eat at us until we don’t know what to do with the ones we love so dearly. Admit you made mistakes if you must. Then let them go, and never hang onto them, or keep bringing them back to burn deeper into the brain. It is OK to make mistakes. We all have made them since the day we started walking. We are human and will always have the curse. It’s what we learn from our mistakes that makes the biggest difference. How many times have you told that to your kids? We have to love ourselves and make peace, that we are doing the best that we can.

This is important because as time passes the decisions become more difficult. Take care of yourself. If you make a mistake and can correct it, do so and give yourself credit for recognizing and making a change. Most often, we won’t be able to change it much in these situations. Use it to grow.

I know that God walks with me and gives me the strength to get through these difficult times. I guess God gave me an extra dose of humor. We need to include God, not only when we make mistakes, but all the time. Give God the credit God deserves. In Micah 6:8 it says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

You don’t have to worry about whether you are making the right decisions, or not if you have included God in your plans.

Please excuse my editing mistakes. As a writer I usually have someone proof my work. I have a mental block for the endings of words like ed and ing. I read it as if it is there. I blame it on being Norwegian.

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com

Caregiving For All:  July 23, 2023, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

Below is an interesting article on the caregiving.com website explaining a recently diagnosed condition called Compassion Fatigue.

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com

 

Caregiving For All:  January 26, 2023, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

Lots going on in my caregiver journey.  Besides my wife and her needs, my lay ministry role has taken me on a few visits in the past couple of weeks. Every situation is different, as is for each of you.  How your care receiver reacts to you, or their care, can be a major source of frustration.  How we handle those moments is very important not only for the patient but for ourselves.  I believe my biggest frustrations come from agencies that I must deal with as a caregiver.  Issues range from losing personal items at the nursing home to communications with staff and support agencies.  It seems keeping me updated and informed is not a high priority anymore. Their response is “We are short-handed and it is difficult to find new people.” I understand.  The world is a different place compared to pre-Covid.  My opinion, and from what I have heard, is that many younger workers generally do not have the same work ethic that we grew up with years ago.  I do not like to be forceful, because generally, everyone does better when we stay positive.  However, there are times when we need to go to higher levels to get things done.  I first recommend that you seek the highest power available by praying for guidance.  Let that be your guide.  Jesus was angry a few times and even threw a few tables.  Share your concerns, but always end with a way of reconciliation.  If people fear you and are always on the defensive, there will be more problems because of fear.  I try to thank the staff as often as I remember.  Show that appreciation. I buy big bags of miniature candy and share some with staff in the different places that have caregivers, including medical facilities. Some days you may need immediate help from them.  Please do not think that I am a cool cat that lets everything roll over me like water.  I have my moments. Once, I took my granddaughter (and her mother) to the ER for the third time in less than 24 hours.  She was a very sick toddler.  When they did not see her immediately, I became very angry that they kept sending her home.  I was escorted to patient services by security to file a complaint. By the time I finished, she was in an ER room.  As I sat there waiting for tests to come back, I got thinking about what had happened, and it made me very sad.  I walked out to the triage desk and asked to speak with the charge nurse.  The 5’6″ 120-pound nurse came out in the hall and I apologized, but she let into me and knocked me down from 6’0″ to about 13″.  I deserved all of it.  That is when I decided it is better to build people up and be thankful even before I am cared for or served. I started my candy treats then.  I am sorry this got a little long, but I hope you find value in my mistake that helps you avoid the same situation.  God is working on me to be humble.

My post entitled Helpful Resources is filled with links that focus on the caregivers’ well-being. If you have any certain issues, you need help with, please let me know.  Remember, I am not a professionally certified caregiving authority.  My certification comes from God.

Lastly, I have hesitated to share information on dying and death.  Each person handles it differently.  If you would like information on this please let me know and I will share it with you.  I learned it the hard way at the time of death back in the late 90s.

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com

Caregiving For All: June 19, 2023, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

There are many resources out there for caregivers. I am trying to keep you as informed as I possibly can. It would take me a century to share it all. I doubt I have that much time, but knowing God, anything is possible. I will continue to share insights from my research, personal experiences, classes and online groups, and information I receive from other resources. I find my searching has helped me to find answers, not just about diseases, but for me personally on how to take care of myself, so that I can care for others. Some of these may be a repeat, but that is good for those of us who need reviews. We have a half dozen new readers since I started this blog in November 2022. Listed below are but a few sources that I have found extremely useful that contain useful information.

* The AARP magazine has an article on caregiving in each edition.

* Teepa Snow, a dementia care specialist, and the Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Team share about dementia so that everyone can understand why changes are happening and how you can support those living with brain change more positively and respectfully.

* Elaine K Sanchez, author, speaker, and founder of an organization called CaregiverHelp has been an outstanding resource for me on my caretaking journey. Based on her extensive experience of caring for family elders, Elaine K Sanchez developed a passion for helping others manage the emotional stress of caregiving. Below is a talk that Sanchez gave entitled “Finding Hope, Humor, and Heart in Caregiving.” I found it particularly helpful when dealing with the everyday stresses of caregiving. I believe that for me, my humor helps me to be a better caregiver. The more I can make my wife or others laugh, the less stress I feel. I am not going to tell you I do not face stress and sadness, but I am happy with my progress with joy and laughter.

* DailyCaring website. It contains several articles with a lot of excellent caregiver information. One article I found very helpful in dealing with the everyday stresses of caregiving was this one “5 Ways to Reduce and Manage Caregiver Resentment.”

* Today’s Caregiver website. This site also contains a wealth of information to aid you in your caregiving journey. One I found most helpful was this one on “Emotional Fatigue.” It listed the signs of fatigue and tips on how to deal with it. This came at a good time for me, as I too am struggling. For me, my goal is to avoid depression, frustration, or anxiety for less than a day. Yes, I talk a lot to myself, and I do answer as well.

I appreciate hearing from you. Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you, my number. Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think. I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you. Email: larsondel@gmail.com

Caregiving For All:  June 15, 2023, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

Wow!  It has been two weeks since the University of Minnesota Caregiver Conference.   I wanted to share this with you, but my notes are long.  Instead, if you send me a request, (address below) I will forward a link so you can view conference highlights.

The opening session, AVOIDING POWER STRUGGLES by Deb Nygaard was, in my opinion the best session for me.  It hit the nail on the head with information on how to deal with dementia patients as the disease progresses.

The second session, THE CAREGIVING PRINCIPLE, presented by Carol Amos. The caregiving principle: “Needs of the Loved One minus Needs filled by the Loved One equals Needs to be filled by the Caregiver.”  It was helpful for me as she clarified the symptoms of caregiver Stress, and how to better take care of ourselves.  For caregivers, their health is a slow decline but increases as time and stress increase.  Most do not realize how much their workload increases until it is too late.  Caregiving can last over 20 years.  Most do not recognize the toll on the body until they realize they are struggling mentally or physically.

The third session, RESILIENT TOGETHER presented by Jeremy Holloway, Ph.D., talked about Cross-Cultural Communications.  Its focus was on better help for all care patients no matter what their cultural background is.

The Last session WORKING TOGETHER WITH RESIDENTIAL CARE CENTER STAFF presented by Amy House, a director of a nursing facility.  In this session Amy offered helpful information on working with nursing home staff and the facilities. Since returning from the conference, I was able to use the information more than once when helping my 96-year-old friend move into a memory care facility.

I have heard that a few of you are experiencing serious life issues.  If there is anything I can do, please feel free to contact me.  Reach out to family and friends. Be honest and tell them you need their support.   You do not have to do this alone.  For me, God is my strength.  I know I am never walking alone. God puts others in our lives to help.  I will keep all of you in my prayers.

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com

Caregiving For All:  March 21, 2023, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister 

If you are experiencing difficulties with memory, know that they may not be signs of dementia. It could be memory loss as a part of normal aging.

Please note that the information on this page should not be used as a diagnostic tool, and is not a substitute for informed medical advice. If you are concerned that you or someone you know has dementia, please talk to your doctor.

What is aging?

Aging is a natural process for us. We will experience gradual changes to our brains and bodies. Some affect our physical and mental abilities and may increase our risk of disease. Each of us ages differently.  The changes vary from person to person.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each person should have the ability to live a long and healthy life.

What affects how I age?

Besides genetic factors, how we age depends on our lifestyles and environments. Generally, we can support healthy aging by challenging our brains, eating healthily, and being physically and socially active, among other lifestyle choices. While these choices do not guarantee a long, healthy life free of disease, they are our best options for decreasing the risk of disease and ensuring our well-being as we age.

Will my memory get worse as I age?    As we grow older, it is natural to feel concerned about changes in our mental abilities. We want to carry out our daily routines, be self-sufficient and relive the most treasured moments of our lives without having to worry about our memory and dementia.

Most of us will experience no problems with memory.  Most of us will continue to have strong memories as we age. Our ability to remember will not decline rapidly or substantively. In old age, we will retain the skills and knowledge learned throughout our lives.

Some of us will experience memory loss.  Almost 40% of us will experience some form of memory loss after we turn 65 years old. But even if we experience memory loss, chances are still unlikely that we have dementia. For the most part, our memory loss is mild enough that we can still live our day-to-day lives without interruption.

A smaller percentage of us will have dementia.  The WHO estimates that after we turn 60 years old, 5 to 8% of us will live with dementia at some point. With dementia, symptoms including memory loss gradually worsen to the point where our abilities seriously deteriorate and we are no longer able to take care of ourselves. There are different levels of memory loss and not all memory loss is due to dementia. So how can you tell which is which?

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com

Caregiving For All:  March 1, 2023, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

Sweat the small stuff

° Give yourself credit for what you do.

You probably hear often what an angel, or loving soul you are for taking care of a loved one. We politely say thank you.  Yes, you are all of those and more.  You make God smile and others wonder how you do it all.  Do not let these comments slide by without including a very important wish.  I wish that I had the strength of an angel, and could feel my soul at peace.  I realize that is not possible because God only gives you enough strength for that moment.  So let go of your worries, and your soul is at peace.   That is tough to do.  We lack the faith to trust God will get us through each day’s new situations.  We go to sleep at night believing we have done our best and we give thanks.   Now it is time to find joy and happiness in your life.

 

° Include joy and happiness in your life.

Being a caregiver is the most difficult job I have ever done in my life.   I like to laugh and make others laugh.  My poor wife thinks I laugh too often, although I hear her trying to cover up a snicker a few times each day.  I’m not sure that I would survive this role without using humor.  Yes, I get frustrated often, but I don’t like the feeling of being down, and not under control.  When we feel the pressure and start to melt down, we make mistakes.  We say things we wish we hadn’t.  When you give up, and doubts start to creep in, you are at the end of your rope.  Find joy and laughter.  Watch a funny movie; have coffee (or beer for me) with some friends; and do something you enjoy that brings satisfaction.  Lastly, journal about your experiences.  Buy a notebook, and try to write in it every two days.  You will find that it gives you a release from your frustrations when you write down what is happening.  You can see patterns about both you and your patient that could be helpful in their care.  If you continue to struggle, seek help.  Your care receiver needs you, and so do others in your life.  You are the sunshine on a cloudy day.  For me joking and laughing make a difference.

 

Here are some of the best traits that every caregiver should have:

• Patience: Those who provide home care to others need to be patient.  When I feel I’m starting to lose it, and I’m about to say something I shouldn’t, I zip my mouth shut, smile, and thank God. This is a great release for me.  Sometimes my wife sees me do this and smiles.  She understands.
• Compassion: When someone has compassion for another they have an understanding of what the person is going through.  Be a person of compassion.  Have a heart that opens for others.  Practice compassion with all.  Let them see what compassion looks like so they understand how to share when the time arises.
• Attentiveness:  It is easy to get distracted in the business of a caregiver.  Try to be tuned in not only to the person receiving your care but also yourself.  You have to protect yourself just as much as you do your loved one.  DO NOT feel guilty if your patient criticizes you. Listen and acknowledge their concerns, then evaluate what you need to do.
• Dependability:  Your plate is overfilled.  You don’t use a plate, but rather the whole table.  There is so much for you to do.  Ask for help.  Be organized, but ask for help.  Be a manager, not the whole team.
• Trustworthiness: This is important because you are dealing with a vulnerable person.  You need the support of the whole caring team.  Journaling is very helpful.

What is the golden rule in caregiving?  Any ideas?

I appreciate hearing from you.  Positive or negative. My email is attached, or you can call the church and they will give you my number.

Feel free to respond, ask questions, or tell me what you think.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com