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From The Editor |
 There's
Snow Place Like Home
Last
weekend, as I was returning from a meeting in the
northeast, I found myself stranded by the (as the media
puts it) BLIZZARD OF THE YEAR, which, to me, seems just
a tad presumptive, since it is only three weeks into
January. My cabin row mates, George and Julie Fox, were
a middle-aged couple from Pennsylvania, and together we
endured a five hour tour of the airport tarmac, with the
plane slowly inching towards the de-icing station until
the weather became so bad that take-off was no longer an
option and we returned to the now-closed airport.
As we
took advantage of the waiting time to get to know one
another, I was reminded of our regular advice to
caregivers, ‘Never miss an opportunity to talk with
other caregivers in hospital waiting rooms, doctor’s
offices and pharmacy lines and even on airplanes.’
Conversation with the Foxes included George’s
challenges with getting his dad to stop driving, Julie’s
taking care of George during and after his stroke six
years ago at 42 years of age and long term care options
for Julie’s mom.
George
told me how he succeeded in guiding his extended family
into a unified care team by making sure that each member
was tasked with handling specific details which took
into consideration their abilities and interests. I
shared some of the insights on that subject that I’ve
learned from caregivers at the Fearless Caregiver
Conferences across the country.
When it
became clear that we would all be in danger of sleeping
at the airport that night, I used my cell phone to find
a hotel with rooms in the downtown area and Julie, on
her cell, rebooked the three of us for the first flight
out on Sunday. To make a long story (and night) short,
we developed (with two of their other friends) the
camaraderie and teamwork that is possible for strangers
to acquire when faced with emergency situations.
Together, we all found rooms and shared stories and cell
phones and when we returned to South Florida the next
morning, after searching in vain for their bags at the
airport, I raced them to the port where they managed to
catch their ship for a now much deserved cruise.
The
only other times that I remember having this kind of
quick and constructive bonding with strangers was as a
caregiver, waiting those long nights in the local
hospital emergency rooms. Then as now, we shared
stories, caregiving tips and made friendships that have
lasted for years. In those cold and uncomfortable
hospital waiting rooms, I discovered that in any
healthcare situation, the best caregiving expertise is
available not only from the people in white coats, but
also from your fellow caregiver sitting next to you. And
who knows, you may even enjoy the wait.
Dates
are still available for the 2005 Fearless
Caregiver Conference Tour. Bring a
conference to your community.
Contact us for more information.
The
deadline has been extended for the third annual
Caregiver Friendly Awards. The new deadline is
February 28, 2005.
Sincerely,
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
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Nominate your CareHeroes for 2005 |
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CareHeroes come in all shapes,
sizes and categories: family, volunteer, professional and community.
He or she may be the neighbor or family member who is always there
for you, the case manager who goes that extra mile, or the community
leader who has long-battled for caregivers, and maybe even for
yourself. We invite you to nominate your CareHeroes.
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Today's
Caregiver magazine Supports Your Conference |
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Non-profit organizations:
Contact us and we will provide complimentary
magazines for your
conference attendees.
All you pay is shipping and handling.
Don't miss this opportunity!
To sign up,
click here. |
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Feature Story |
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Looking Into Assisted
Living
Long Distance
By J Lang Wood
It was sometime
late in 2003 that I realized something had to be done with Mom.
She had reached the end of her ability to manage her affairs
independently, and the reports I got from family and friends in
Illinois began to fill me with alarm.
...Continued
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Related Articles:
Long Distance Caring
by Emily Carton
It is not uncommon for families to be separated by great
distances. But what happens when one or both parents reach a stage in
their lives where they appear to be frail and vulnerable?.....Continued
Long Term Care Facilities
By Michael Plontz
It is often a difficult decision for family members to admit a loved
one into a long-term care facility. It is equally difficult to learn there
is a problem with the facility and/or staff after you thought your loved
one was safe and secure......Continued
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The Caregiver Friendly Award deadline has
been extended to
February 28, 2005!
You still have time to enter the best of
your Caregiver Friendly solutions for
consideration and be part of a select group honored with Today’s Caregiver
magazine’s Caregiver Friendly Award. <<read
the details>>
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Visit the
Caregiver.com Online Store
Today at
http://www.caregiver.com/mall/index.htm |
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Guest Column |
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Hiring Private Duty Home Care Workers:
Why Work through an Agency?
By Rona S. Bartelstone, LCSW, BCD, CMC
One of the greatest long-term needs of older adults and those with
chronic illnesses is for in-home, custodial care services. These
workers are often referred to as home health aides, certified
nursing assistants and custodial care workers.....Continued
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CareTips |
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Wellspring Source: Still Waters Run Deep
by Dr. Marie DiCowden
Meditation is a process that, over time, brings about profound
changes These changes include actual increase in energy and decrease in
debilitating physical and emotional problems.
...Continued |
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F r o m O u r R e a d e r s |
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Carenotes |
My husband was diagnosed
with ALS, Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis or
better known as Lou
Gehrig Disease in 2000.
He cannot walk, eat, use
his hands, arms or talk.
I am my husband's full
time caregiver 24x7 365.
He went to the hospital
for a feeding tube
placement because he
could no longer eat or
swallow. After his
surgery he had
respiratory failure
which put him on a vent
with trach which he will
live with for the rest
of his life.
The reason I am writing
is because there are
several agency that will
pay
caregivers,
but they will not pay
the spouse to care for
her husband. How
does that make sense? I
would like to know if
there is anything
offered within the
states or federally for
caregivers that care for
there spouses to receive
compensation.
I would love to be able
to go to a job for 40
hours a week, but
instead I have chosen to
stay home and care for
my husband, which is 168
hours a week. Please
don't get me wrong,
I am not complaining. I
wouldn't want to be any
where else at this time.
But I know no one that
would work at a job 168
hours a week and not get
paid. Also because I am
no longer working I will
not be eligible for
Social Security
Disability after five
years.
I have heard in Oregon
that they will pay a
spouse to be a caregiver
if it is 24
hour constant care.
How does that work? I
probably do the work of
five people but all I
want is to get paid for
one. Caring for someone
at home is very
expensive that demands
so much care as my
husband does.
So if you could please
direct me to the proper
place that will
recognize spousal
caregiving as a job, and
pay me for a job well
done! Love
doesn't pay the bills
and if it did, I
would not be writing
this letter at all.
Thank you in advance for
reading my letter.
Answer This Week's CareNote:
carenotes/2005/index.htm |
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