When is the last time you were asked, “What can I do to make your life easier?” Maybe never? That is about to change.
Our new blog for caregivers is designed to do just that: make your life easier. That might be saving you time by steering you to fabulous resources or saving your sanity by validating your feelings about what you’re going through.
If you’re a family caregiver, you’re likely to be overwhelmed, stressed, and time-starved. You need information right now. You may be caring for a spouse, parent or (here’s where it gets even more stressful) even an in-law and a parent in separate states, or two needy divorced parents. Or, parents and step-parents.
We might be a technology company, but we are also adult children, wives, spouses, daughters- and sons-in-law, relatives, friends, and neighbors who are touched by the same issues you are. We also wonder: is it normal to feel the way I do? Am I being selfish? Why do I feel guilty so much? Will this ever end? What about me? We promise to explore these thoughts.
Of course, there are rewarding things about family caregiving. (Do we really need to tell you what they are?) What we don’t have to tell you is that your role also brings mind-boggling strain.
Smart, easy to use technology is one way to ease that strain. It can’t take away your pain, but it can reduce stress, solve safety and peace- of-mind problems, and offer both you and your loved one more independence and freedom. Yet technology is just one tool to make a caregiver’s life easier.
You also need other kinds of knowledge we will provide. For instance, there are cool, nationwide creative arts initiatives– dancing, acting, storytelling, playwriting, music, and painting with top-notch professionals–for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers as well as for boomers and seniors with no dementia. These programs can enrich your life, keep you socially connected, and be fun. But you have to know that they exist and how to find them in your area.
We’ll tell you about the best websites and apps for family members to share information with one another, from a parent’s weekly schedule to medical updates to observations or suggestions, and help requests.
We’ll speak with experts and family caregivers like you (maybe you!), and distill their sage advice and experience. And, we’ll get you ready for those icky but essential talks with your loved one about money, moving, driving, paid help, and other hot button issues. No need to scramble around the web or make multiple phone calls to find what you need. It’s here.
It’s true that we can’t anticipate every ever-changing situation or predict or dictate the course of illness and aging. We can’t change the fact that we live 2,000 miles from Mom or that our husband is 20 years older. We can rarely avoid sibling dynamics around aging parents (Oh brother, it’s complicated!).
But. . .with the right information, sources, and strategies, you’ll be a savvier, more effective, and—important!–self-compassionate, caregiver. You will be in control of what you can control.
In the coming months we will be exploring a range of topics that will thoughtfully speak to this stage of your life. We’d love input. What are your biggest caregiver challenges? What has been a godsend? What drives you mad? Virtual venting is healthy, but we are looking for insight, too. What have you found that works, doesn’t work or outright inflames a situation?
We need to know what you want to see on this blog for caregivers and what would make it valuable to you. Let’s collaborate and connect, so that when someone asks, “What can I do to make your life easier?” you’ll have ready answers. Naturally they will include steering them to this site!
We want to have a conversation with you. Let’s have that conversation. So, what is it that will make your life easier?
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Sounds great to me, sometimes I feel so alone with this caregiver position and would love to talk to others that are in the same situation.
We’re glad to have you here, Diana!
My husband has démentia . I felt alone .we went to the Alhzeimer support group . The support we got is great . Many thanks to the volonteers . Now , I Know that I am not alone anymore . Please ! Get Help , you deserve It .
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So nice to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up.
What a great idea! As the caregiver for my elderly widower dad, I could use a blog like yours. thank you and I would be interested in topics such as caregivers and when family crisis develop, caregiving for a parent who has lost their best friend (my Mom), dealing with siblings who continually object to all the caregiver’s suggestions. I look forward to reading more and sharing. Thank you!
I would love to have contact with other caregivers. My husband has spinal stenosi and is in a wheelchair.
Dorothy, we’re sorry to hear about your husband. Stay strong. We have a Facebook Support group for caregivers, called Caregivers Connect. You can read about the group, and other ways to stay connected in this piece: http://lively.currents.greatcall.com/categories/stories-of-support/social-media-for-caregivers-making-the-most-of-the-24-7-lifeline/.
Hmmm I am very happy I will be able to learn more pertinent information as to how is it possible to be a daughter caring for a mother not willing to accept her ongoing heart issues and her constant levels of anxiety and lack of movement.
My life is really tied to hers …. with both of us needing to live together to make it, most days are set in a routine of zero interaction between us. She is reading and re reading the books She has in her bookshelves, the daily newspaper takes the place of a Cell phone because She clearly cannot remember how to open it!
Everyday I am looking up medical terms and symptoms of God knows what questions that I am concerned about and what over my first cup of coffee She is wondering about !
I am not too sure I am her best caregiver, I tend to have certain boundaries about what I think She could do and what She can actually see to do for herself, what is in front of her that Mom completely misses or chooses not to see is obviously my concern not hers.
I think what I am trying to figure out is: what types of boundaries as family caregivers are you all confident setting up ? And what do you do for them that perhaps they are just not going to do for themselves ?
I just turned 64 ….Mom will be 87 come Summer! I would like to have a social life too!
M
The charging cable on my mother’s Jitterbut Smart phone is a micro usb–very difficult for a senior with vision impairment to plug in. She and I would love it if you would offer a wireless charing pad for the phone, or a charging cable that requires less vision and dexterity.