Magic Moments

Yesterday’s Fearless Caregiver Conference in Boynton Beach, Florida marked the first event of the thirteenth year since the launch of Today’s Caregiver magazine.  And the day did not disappoint.

The members of the Q and A panel had expertise in nursing, hospice care, depression management, insurance, trusts and personal finances. But as usual, it was the interaction between the caregivers in the room that provided the most magic. The concept of Fearless Caregivers sharing wisdom was in full swing as new networks were being formed between caregivers of children with disabilities, grandparent caregivers and those with senior loved ones. Advocacy was the big topic of conversation, so if you are reading this from Tallahassee or Washington, I would advise you get ready for some educated and motivated constituents to come a ‘calling.

To further illustrate the theme of advocacy, our luncheon speaker was newly minted State Representative, Mark Pafford. Mark gave an overview of the state’s political system and presented a wide variety of hands-on tips for getting responses from the halls of congress. We were proud to present a Community Fearless Caregiver award to Mary Barnes, CEO of Alzheimer’s Community Care for their work over the past twelve years, who left us with the poignant message that seniors in Florida (and by extension, across the nation) should not be ashamed to seek needed support, since rather than costing the state money, they add millions of dollars annually to the state coffers.

While talking about journaling, I read a story I wrote about my grandfather, in which I retold a few of the countless memorable times we spent together. Afterwards, a caregiver came up to me and told me that she had an inspirational thought as I was speaking. She was going to travel with her husband who is living with Alzheimer’s to visit their kids. She wants to have each of their children write a short story about a memorable time they had spent with their dad and then read it to him. She is convinced that this exercise will be as beneficial to her grown children as it will be to her husband. And I whole-heartedly concur.

All in all, not a bad way to enter our teen years.

Take care

Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com

Register for a Fearless Caregiver Conference

Let's Talk About It - July 2008
Do you ever get angry about your caregiving role? If so how do you handle it? To participate in this this month's discussion, click here
Share The Gift of Support Customized Gift Subscription Cards A cost-effective and successful way to support your caregivers.
Today’s Caregiver magazine’s Gift of Support gift card subscription program is an easy and inexpensive way to recognize and support those caregivers for whom you care. The Gift of Support program will personalize your message on full color gift subscription cards, available in discounted quantities of 20 or more. Mail them directly to your caregiving friends and clients, present the cards in person at events or regular meetings or Today's Caregiver will even send them for you at a small additional charge. Now is the perfect time to send the gift that caregivers really need. A Gift of Support subscription to Today’s Caregiver magazine will be remembered and appreciated issue after issue. For more information on our gift card program, click here.
Today's Caregiver magazine Supports Your Conference
	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
Feature Article
Post Polio Syndrome
By Henk Snyman, MD
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, polio emerged as a devastating epidemic that affected thousands in the United States alone...Continued
Additional Articles:
Safety Begins at Home: Emergency Escape Plan for Loved Ones with Mobility Challenges
By: Jennifer Wilson, Staff Writer Children are usually taught about fire safety and disaster preparedness in school. ...Continued
Caregiver Story
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. . ...Continued (Do you have a story? Tell us.)
Caretips
Tips and Techniques for Dealing with Stress
By Dr. Rita Nachen Gugel
Change is an expected part of our daily lives today. Dealing with it so that YOU control IT rather than vice versa is an important and positive force in controlling your life. Try a few of these tips.....Continued
Carenotes
I am the caregiver of someone with "Alzheimer's".  I have a full-time job, but still am not able to meet all of our financial obligations, or have work done to our home in order to make it more suitable down the line for my mother.  I've tried working part-time, but that doesn't work because my mom needs attending to more often now. Several people have mentioned to me about receiving financial assistance through the government in the form of grants.  I understand that these grants can be as low as $1,000.00, and as high as $5,000.00 or more,  and that they do not have to be paid back.  Can you provide me with more info on this source, or direct me to a place to start researching?  Thank you for your time.   Answer This Week's CareNote: carenotes/2008/index.htm
Caregiver.com Support Group Directory. Click here for information about any caregiver support groups in your area. Caregivers need your help. Please add information about your local support groups to our Support Group Directory. Include the name of the group, where and when it meets, city and state and support group leader contact information.
Have an idea for an article? We are always looking for contributing writers. For more information contact editor@caregiver.com Recommend Us Tell your friends about Caregiver.com!  If you have a friend who you think would benefit from our newsletter, complete and submit the form: http://www.caregiver.com/recommend/index.htm Subscription Information If you received caregiver newsletter and are not yet a subscriber, and would like to begin receiving a complimentary copy of your own, please click here. Unsubscribe To unsubscribe from caregiver newsletter, simply  click on the 'opt-out' link at the bottom of this newsletter.   Privacy Policy Privacy Statement http://www.caregiver.com/privacy/index.htm
Copyright © 1995-2008 Caregiver.com Inc., All rights reserved by Caregiver.com and its subsidiaries.