Dear President-Elect Obama,

Congratulations on winning the election to the highest office in the land. As you well know, our already-divided nation was tested to its limits during this seemingly endless campaign season, and I sincerely hope that you are dedicated to taking immediate and honest steps to bring us together under your leadership. 

Mr. President-Elect, if I may be so bold as to make suggestions, I vehemently urge you to pay attention to the needs of a huge and under-appreciated voting bloc that is 54 million strong - the family caregivers. The true burden of the American healthcare system has been unfairly placed squarely upon the shoulders of these heroes on a daily basis. If all family caregivers went on strike today, we would have to find almost 200 billion dollars each and every year to replace the work they do for their loved ones for no salary and with little support.

From eldercare to long-term rehabilitation to special needs caregiving, all the candidates in this election (you, Vice-President-Elect Biden, Senator McCain and Governor Palin) have a personal relationship with caregiving and the healthcare system greater than at any time in recent history, and all of you have been open and honest about sharing your stories with us. This is truly a great thing for all caregivers.

Please understand that we as a nation stand behind you in these troubled times, but we also need you to stand behind us and our loved ones. We are interested in how you and Congress will decide issues such as Medicare, drug re-importation, medical research, and tax relief for caregivers, and we will be sharing our feelings and findings with our fellow caregivers.

We invite you to look to your family caregiver constituents for advice, support and wisdom, as we are all in this together.

 

 

Take care

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

---

Register for a Fearless Caregiver Conference

---

Let's Talk About It - November 2008
Do you attend a Support Group?  If no, why not? If yes, does it help?  To participate in this this month's discussion, click here.
Parkinson's Disease Information - 866-650-2865
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
www.emphysematrial.com
Take a look at the new books in our bookclub.
Feature Article
Emotional States Play a Role in Level of Pain
By  Kerin McShane, T.C., M.S., Ph.D.
For thousands of people, pain is a keen reminder of an injury or illness that can lead to equally disabling mental suffering. Out of fear, people whose systems are already compromised may feel their pain greater than they need to, causing an emotional reaction that keeps them feeling worse...Continued
Additional Article:
Matters of the Heart Reclaiming Intimacy After a Heart Attack
By Mary Damiano One of the biggest issues caregivers face when their loved one is recovering from a heart attack is resuming intimacy. One reason for this is the myth that sexual activity can bring on another attack...Continued
Today's Caregiver magazine - Sept/Oct issue
Caregiver Story
A Life Forever Altered, Forever Changed
By Sharon Pulido
Do you ever think things are going too good to be true and something bad must happen to compensate?  I have always thought that way.  When I met my husband, Mario, our life was wonderful...Continued (Do you have a story? Tell us.)
New! on Caregiver.com Sharing Wisdom: Tips from Family Caregivers
The best ideas and solutions for taking care of  your  loved one often come from other caregivers.  Please post your ideas and insights here and we will share them with your fellow caregivers.
Caretips
Maintaining Emotional Intimacy When Your Loved One Is Ill
By Mary Damiano
In our culture, when we discuss intimacy, many people think immediately of sexuality. While sex may be part of an intimate relationship, it in no way encompasses it. When we think of intimacy as only sex it makes it difficult to focus on the other really satisfying parts of human relationships...Continued
Have you ever used the Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)?  If so let us know about your experience.  Email us.
Carenotes
My mother is in the early  stages of Alzheimer's and can still help herself.  She is well enough now to still live alone, but I live very close by so I am with her all the time. My mother is very stubborn and will not let anyone advise her, so what I need to know  is this: how do I get my mother to shower regularly and wash her hair? She swears that she takes a bath everyday, but I can tell when she has not taken a bath.  I think she believes that she washes her hair, (If that is possible) but I know that she has not washed her hair in over 2  months. What can I do? Any advice you can give me will be most appreciated. 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: 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 'manage your subscription' 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.