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 An
Interview with Cokie Roberts
Cokie Roberts has won numerous awards
including the Edward R. Murrow Award and
an Emmy. Currently she is a senior news
analyst for NPR News, where she was the
congressional correspondent for more
than 10 years. In addition to her work
for NPR, Roberts is a political
commentator for ABC News, providing
analysis for all network news
programming. She has also been a
caregiver to her sister.
She was the moderator for Hospice
Foundation of America’s annual
teleconference from their first
teleconference through the eleventh.
Gary Barg, Today’s Caregiver
editor-in-chief, sat down with Ms.
Roberts to discuss the role and
importance of hospice and caregiving.
GB:
Tell me what your personal interest in hospice really is? Did it
come about from your role in caregiving for your sister?
CR: No, but
I came to understand how important it is to approach death in a positive
way. I felt very strongly that this was important to talk about and
very few people who knew anything about television were able to talk about
it. So, they came to me, figuring that the combination of the fact
that I had cared for someone who was dying, that I could put a television
program on the air, and more important, get it on the air, was a good
combination. The calls that come in are just unbelievable. And
they’ve done a very good job of not only putting together good people to
talk about the different aspects of death and dying over the years, but
also the taping throughout the broadcast; it is so moving. There are times
when you’ll be sitting there on the set with tears streaming down your
cheeks...continued
Take
care
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
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Feature Article
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Fighting Caregiver Fatigue
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By Kristine Dwyer, Staff
Writer
Calvin’s day begins before 5 A.M. He
knows another exhausting day lies ahead. He allows
himself only enough time to have a cup of coffee and
read the paper before lying back down by his wife’s side
until 6 A.M. when the daily routine begins again;
toileting, showering, dressing, wheelchair transfers,
laundry, meal preparation, housekeeping, correspondence,
paperwork, yard work, personal care. Soon its time for a
doctor appointment; more wheelchair transfers, a trip to
the pharmacy, grocery shopping, and then, finally, a
return home to continue the care routine....continued
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Guest Column
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Laundry Night
By Marcie Beyatte
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“I had a dream last night about water,” my
mother says as we dice cantaloupe and brew our morning coffee. “I
woke up with wet sheets.”
She wears Depends, but last night her protection
failed. To any passerby, she appears to be a vigorous
eighty-year-old; but they don’t see her falling, an almost weekly
occurrence. When we walk together, I try to anticipate the
cracks and dips in the pavement and warn her so she doesn’t trip. I
keep night-lights on all day in my dark hall when she visits. No
matter what I do, she still tumbles...continued
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Caretips
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Clinical Trials Defined
The jargon
of clinical trials can be confusing or tough to
understand. In keeping with the spirit of knowing
as much as possible to make an informed decision, here
is a glossary of common clinical trial terms which may
not be so common to you.
- Clinical Investigator
The researcher who is in charge of carrying out a
clinical trial’s protocol.
...continued
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Sharing Wisdom - Caregiver Tips
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From Susie in PA
I have been taking care of my
father since 1990, when my mother passed away to the Lord.
He has a multitude of health conditions and is progressively
getting worse. I have a great husband supporting me as well
as a great team of doctors. My advice is to be calm, gentle
and include your parent in all aspects of daily living,
whether it is something for them or yourself. Talk to them
even though they might forget five minutes later.
You do need
time for yourself, by yourself; just a few moments of "me
time" works wonders. Find a support group and stick to it.
Have a friendly neighbor sit with your parent for an hour or
so. Find a hobby you like. Just because the parent is home
with you, doesn't mean you have to be by their side every
minute.
You only have one mother and one father. Enjoy
them now while you have them with you. I will grieve and be
saddened when my father is gone, but I will not feel guilty
that I didn't do this or that. I have done all I could
for him. The only thing I pray for is that the Lord will
allow me to be with him when he takes his last breath,
before he leaves this world to reach a better world beyond,
and I can tell him it is okay to be with Mom.
From Brenda in Jefferson, TX
I use the tabs
from the prescriptions, put them together on one piece of
paper, and make a copy. I keep one copy in my purse and the
original in another area. If I need to have this
information for anything, I can provide the exact
medication, strength, pharmacy, physician, and dosage.
The best ideas and solutions for taking care of your
loved one often come from other caregivers. Please post your ideas
and insights and we will share them with your fellow caregivers.
http://www.caregiver.com/sharing_wisdom/index.htm
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Caregiver.com
Support Group Directory. Click
here
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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.
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