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Caregiver Lagniappe
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Caregiver Lagniappe
In and around New Orleans, there is a
tradition known as Lagniappe [lan-YAP]
which according to Wikipedia means a
small gift given to a customer by a
merchant at the time of a purchase, such
as a 13th beignet when buying a dozen,
or more broadly something given or
obtained gratuitously or by way of good
measure; a bonus. Since my brother,
Steven lived in New Orleans for many
years, this was a tradition with which I
am fondly acquainted. It is also
something that I feel I regularly
receive as we travel the country hosting
the Fearless Caregiver Conferences.
Due to the outreach necessary to put on
a successful event, I have spent time
with many of the care professionals in
the communities in which the events will
be held. And more often than not, I hear
things that I am able to share in this
column which I would not have known
otherwise. That being said, it is
especially nice to receive such a
lagniappe from people I have known for
years. In December of this year we will
host our 65th Fearless Caregiver
Conference kinda-sorta in our own
backyard, about an hour and a half away
in the Treasure Coast area of Florida.
Last week, I drove there to attend the
Senior Healthcare Networking Group, a
monthly morning meeting for care
professionals in the Treasure Coast. It
was fun and interactive group of folks
who I suspect have known each other for
quite some time. They were warm and
inviting and seemed quite receptive to
having such an event in their community.
I sat with my good friend, Laura Zel
from the Just Checking program, who
related a story to me that was told to
her by Donna True from the Alzheimer’s
Association, Southeast Florida Chapter.
It seems as if a gentleman who Donna
works with in her role as Community
Education Coordinator was having a tough
time realizing he might need to consider
long term care for his wife. He could no
longer get her to eat or bathe and
caring for her at home was taking a
physical toll on him, as well. After
investigating facilities in his area, he
chose one which became a true partner in
care for his wife. He told Donna
something that she regularly relates in
support groups across the area. He said"
Moving my wife into the nursing home now
gives me the time to love her."
Hey, that's even better than a 13th
beignet.
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
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