January 2009 - President Obama is sworn
in as the 44th President in US history. And what a
time in history it is!
There have been many messages tossed out throughout this
elongated campaign season and into the new administration.
One message in particular that caught my attention as a
caregiver was actually demonstrated throughout the concert
at the Lincoln Monument held this past Sunday. Not only was
Hollywood emptied out for the day between the actors and
musical stars that performed, but I was taken by the events
title, “We Are One.”
We Are One –says it all
Newsletter 01/22/09
February 2009 - At the end of the day,
one of the most important elements of successful caregiving
is learning to reach out to those who are the greatest
caregiving experts-your fellow caregivers. This is important
to do no matter where you meet another family caregiver and
regardless of the age, illness or care situation with which
they are dealing. I guarantee you that you will be
pleasantly surprised at what you learn from them as well as
what you are able to teach them. Lesson learned.
Newsletter 03/13/09
March 2009 - We just spent a wonderful
if not somewhat drizzly day with a room full of newly minted
Fearless Caregivers at the first annual Nashville Fearless
Caregiver Conference. There were so many lessons learned
from the family and professional caregivers we met this week
that I could fill many newsletters with their advice (and
probably will.)
Newsletter 03/27/09
April 2009 - Let’s see, first we blend
in an international monetary crisis, add a heaping fistful
of mortgage meltdown, mix in essence of depre......er,
recession, simmer quickly and when hot, add in two wars, a
sizzling dash of partisan division in Washington and stir it
all up rapidly. Hmm, I think there’s something missing from
this stew. Oh yes, here it is—a pinch of pandemic. And now,
set it all to boil.
I unfortunately now understand what the old Chinese curse
means: May you live in interesting times.
Newsletter 04/29/09
May 2009 - I received an email from a
friend I have not seen in many moons. He had moved to Europe
a decade ago and has created a new life for himself,
including a lovely wife whom he met while overseas and a new
baby. The email I received was, on many levels, quite
disconcerting.
Newsletter 05/21/09
June 2009 - As Father's Day rapidly
approaches, I would like to take a moment to honor the male
caregivers in this world. Some examples of dedicated male
caregivers that come to mind are my friend Steve, who moved
to India with his ailing parents, to ensure that they were
both able to have affordable healthcare for as long as they
lived. (He is back stateside living in Iowa.) Another one,
of course, is Carlos Gibbons, Leeza’s dad, who was a
steadfast and unwavering partner in care to his wife, Jean.
Newsletter 06/11/09
July 2009 - This coming Fourth of July
marks the fourteenth anniversary of
Today’s Caregiver magazine. By the way, the
fourteenth anniversary present is jewelry. I’m not
picky—diamonds, emeralds, whatever can fit in a mail pouch
is fine with me. In reviewing the past 168 months of
publishing, I am most grateful for the articles, poems and
stories that have been passed over the transom by family
caregivers.
Newsletter 07/02/09
August 2009 - I received a lot of
responses to last week’s article about the digital edition
of Today’s Caregiver magazine. The comments about
the magazine itself were very rewarding, but the confusion
came with how much it would cost to subscribe. The answer is
simple: the cost to subscribe to the digital edition of
Today’s Caregiver magazine is zip. Nada. Absolutely
nothing. No cost.
Newsletter 08/06/09
September 2009 - This fall, as I travel
the country to host
Fearless Caregiver Conferences in rural, urban and
suburban communities, I know that I am traveling to discover
the wisdom that is within each and every family caregiver I
will encounter along the way. Every conversation I have with
family caregivers is guaranteed to add one extra piece to
the caregiving puzzle that I hope to share with you and in
the pages of
Today's Caregiver magazine.
Newsletter 09/02/09
October 2009 - I must say that the first
event of the rural Fearless Caregiver tour is off to a great
start. I woke up yesterday morning in Wisconsin Dells at the
hotel in which the conference was being held and threw open
the curtains to find that it had been raining for some time.
Not a good sign. But there were only five participants that
did not show up and they had all emailed the night before
with apologies and there were five walk-ins to make up the
difference.
Newsletter 10/07/09
November 2009 - I’ve been traveling the
highways and byways this fall talking with caregivers in
rural serving communities. Not only have I driven through
some of the most beautiful parts of the country, and had
some of the freshest and most memorable food, but I have
also met with rooms filled with motivated, caring and giving
caregivers. In fact, after one such event in Waterloo, Iowa,
put on by the good folks at the Hawkeye Valley Area Agency
on Aging, the word that resonates through my mind is –
sneaky.
Newsletter 11/11/09
December 2009
'Twas the night before Christmas,
When all through the house
A caregiver was scurrying,
Caring for her dear spouse;
His stockings were placed
Upon his feet with great care
In hopes he felt well enough to step
out for some fresh air
Newsletter 12/23/09
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