Count It All Joy

Celebrations: Happy Mother's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan K Baldwin) — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:58:00 +0000

This weekend we celebrate an important day, Mother's Day. I hope that all the Mom's out in blogland have a wonderful day. Thinking of this special day reminds me of some suggestions that I have stored away...suggestions for handling special days like this when your careling is challenged by dementia.

1) Keep it simple!
Remember that any change of routine can throw your careling into great confusion. Keep your celebration simple and as understandable as possible. Communicate as best you can the purpose for your celebration, even if you must keep repeating it over and over again.

2) Plan events early in the day!
Sundowners is one of the big challenges to any celebration. As the day progresses, a careling with dementia will fade just like the sunshine. Lengthy events, or events that last into the evening can bring on frustration and even agitation. Try your best to plan celebrations early in the day while your careling has their best reserve of energy.

3) Exercise patience!
Celebrations can be challenging in the best of situations, and they can be particularly frustrating when you are trying to keep a careling's attention focused on the reason for the event. (Especially when they are the celebrant!) Find helpers, friends or family who can be with you to pitch in and keep things running smoothly. Just as the focus of the event is your careling, your careling has to remain your focus. Make sure that you have the help you need.

4) Avoid loud and noisy venues!
Noise can agitate your careling! Try to find a quiet place that has a soothing atmosphere. Soft music can be a great benefit to keep your careling calm in an unfamiliar environment.

5) Keep it familiar!
Do your best to keep the location of your event familiar to your careling. If you must choose an unfamiliar location, try to make sure that the guests are familiar. If possible, include pictures, decorations, or furnishings that are memorable.

6) Do your best and let go of the rest!
Following the above suggestions may not seem like much of a celebration to those who are used to large events. However, you will be grateful for a small one that can be enjoyed by all the participants, rather than a large scheme that throws your careling into frustration and confusion, preventing you and your guests from enjoying the day. Let go of the grand plans and focus on giving your careling a happy, and carefree day, and you will most likely have one too.!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Be blessed,

The Stressed-Out Caregiver...

noreply@blogger.com (Susan K Baldwin) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:25:00 +0000

Stress! Are you feeling the pressure of being a caregiver? According to the Alzheimer's Association there are some recognizable symptoms of caregiver stress...

Symptoms of caregiver stress

Denial
Anger
Social withdrawal
Anxiety
Depression
Exhaustion
Sleeplessness
Irritability
Lack of concentration
Health problems

(http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_caregiver_stress_lwa.asp)

If you are experiencing any of these things listed above, you need to take a serious look at yourself, your health and your caring situation! Stress can seriously affect your health. If your health is in jeopardy, you cannot be a successful caregiver. If you need help, ask for it. Just because you can't do and be all things to the person you are caring for (your careling), doesn't mean that you have failed. We all need help at times in our lives. The challenge of caregiving frequently calls for support from family, friends and medical personnel.

"Give yourself credit, not guilt....
You are doing the best you can. Don't feel guilty because you can't do more. Your loved one needs you, and you are there – that should make you feel proud."

I love this quote from the Caregiver Stress section at alz.org. So many times we concentrate and fixate on all the things we cannot do for our loved one instead of taking a good look at all the wonderful things we are able to do for them. The mere fact that you are trying, you are present, and you are with them speaks volumes as to how very much you care!

There will be days when 'being present' is all you can do. The twists and turns of dementia, and the fact that changes can occur so frequently and unexpectedly make some days more challenging than others. On these days, sitting doing a calming task can be the best plan.

Here are some ideas for Calming Tasks that will benefit you as well as the one you are caring for:

Read. Choose a favorite book and read short, simple passages.
Listen to music together.
Look through old family pictures.
Take a short walk.

There are many more ideas that you will come up with. Many times you will find that the simple tasks you enjoy can communicate a sense of peace to your careling and give you a respite from the anxiety and stress that is so often present.

Take a good look at your situation. Take a deep breath and begin to make a plan to lower your stress levels. Plan calming activities with your careling. Ask for help when you need it!

Pray for strength and relief from stress. Prayer is one of the most de-stressing activities you can do. Talking with the One who knows your every need and is able to do more than you can ever ask or think, will certainly bring your needs into divine perspective. Help is available from the One who knows you best and loves you most!

Be blessed,

Knowledge is Power... Alzheimer's Association

noreply@blogger.com (Susan K Baldwin) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:18:00 +0000

Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging.

There is a lot of confusion around that says "what does it matter if this is Alzheimer's? Isn't dementia just dementia? It's just a memory problem, right?"

One of the most informative websites for answering these questions is the Alzheimer's Association:
www.alz.org

I have used this website many times for many situations. One of the most important pages is "Knowing the Ten Signs".

I can remember relying on this information during the early stages with my Dad. It became a comforting checklist of sorts that I could look at and think, "okay, this is where we are today". Later it became even more comforting as I looked at the list and could think, "okay, this is normal progression. We are not alone in this. Others are experiencing this too".

Perhaps the most important use of the "Ten Signs" is as a tool to take with you to your doctor. If you can seen ANY of these signs, get to your doctor. It is so important to try for an early diagnosis. There are medications available to help give relief for symptoms and prolong independent living. Having your doctor on your team, will also be important as the disease advances. Cultivating a proactive relationship with medical personnel will reap benefits when life decisions come.

Below is a sample of the kind of information to be found at alz.org:

Typical age-related memory loss and other changes compared to Alzheimer's

Signs of Alzheimer's	Typical age-related changes
Poor judgment and decision making	Making a bad decision once in a while
Inability to manage a budget	Missing a monthly payment
Losing track of the date or the season	Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
Difficulty having a conversation	Sometimes forgetting which word to use
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them	Losing things from time to time

(http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp#notice)

Remember, "knowledge is power" (Sir Frances Bacon). The phrase is certainly true when dealing with dementia or Alzheimer's. The more you know about what to expect, the more prepared you can be to deal with the situations that are sure to come.

Be blessed,

An Excellent Resource for Independent Living

noreply@blogger.com (Susan K Baldwin) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:42:00 +0000

Do you have concerns about independent living for your loved one? Are you able to assess their abilities to perform daily tasks?

Here is a valuable resource site: http://www.lifelinesys.com/content/resources

They have a very good Independent Living Assessment test that is easy to do. It will give you help in seeing an accurate 'picture' of your loved one's true condition and abilities. It also gives you a list of things to think about and discuss with your doctor.

There is also good information about the Lifeline system for independent living. I am doing more 'homework' now on these devices and will keep you updated with more information.

Be blessed!

Being Pro-Active on the Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Susan K Baldwin) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:34:00 +0000

The journey of dementia is one of the most challenging that a care-giver can face. The person that you are caring for can literally change from day to day, presenting you with situations for which you may be unprepared. Being pro-active is one way to help make certain that you aren't caught unaware when challenges come.

Proactive: Acting in advance to deal with an expected difficulty

When I read this definition, it gave me a measure of comfort and confidence. Being a caregiver is not an easy role, but just by keeping this simple attitude you can do your best to anticipate and be as prepared as possible. As changes come, you will appreciate the importance of having looked beyond today and made plans and mental notes as to the possibilities you have for meeting your loved ones needs.

Perhaps another way to phrase this attitude is:
Anticipate the storm by boarding up the windows

Dementia can feel very much like an uninvited storm in your life. The winds can blow and rage on unexpected days and in unanticipated ways. Adjusting your life to the ever changing moods, abilities, and needs of your loved one can be an overwhelming task, but it is one that can be made easier with an attitude and mind-set of being prepared.

How can I be proactive?

Pursue an accurate diagnosis for your loved one. It is important to know exactly what you are facing. The various kinds of dementia can be difficult to pin down. Be as observant as possible in order to help medical personnel in their assessment.
Talk to your doctor. Make sure that you have a doctor (and the medical staff that surrounds that doctor!) who is compassionate, well-informed, and educated about the disease that you are facing.
Check out the support in your community. Look for adult activity centers, churches or other community centers that offer help for the aging.
Be aware of the senior facilities in your area: senior living, assisted living, hospice, etc.
Educate yourself! Get on the internet or visit your local library. There is a wealth of information available and knowledge is definitely power when dealing with dementia.
Look for educational opportunities in your community: local colleges, technical schools, seminars, and continuing educational programs.
Communicate with your family. No matter the size of the family, it is so important that lines of communication are open, and stay open. Do your best to keep the family updated.
Take care of yourself! This should probably be at the top of the list (and there will be more posting to come on this most important topic!) You cannot give your best if you don't have it to give! The well being of your loved one is related to your own well being.

One of the most important ways to be proactive is in your prayer life. Pray about everything! Ask the Lord to help you to be mindful of those things that are most important. Ask for guidance as you walk this journey. Ask, then ask again, and keep on asking! The answers you need will come and come right on time.

Be blessed,

One Day at a Time... Care for the Care-giver

noreply@blogger.com (Susan K Baldwin) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:53:00 +0000

Caring for the Care-giver...

I am no expert on the subject of Alzheimer's or Dementia. However, I have witnessed first hand the ravages of this disease on the individual, the family, and especially the Care-giver.

My story is like so many others of my generation who are finding themselves caring for aging parents and grandparents, perhaps even other family members or friends. I never expected to see my Grandmother and my Father suffer through the loss of memory and the ability to perform the tasks of everyday living. I never dreamed that I would be caring for my Mother who was blind-sided by Parkinson's and the dementia that accompanied the disease.

I only speak from my experience and from what knowledge I have gleaned by living one day at a time, keeping my faith strong, and reaching out through this Internet-world to find help and solutions. I can't emphasize enough the importance of living within the day.

Care-giving is an exhausting responsibility. There are many days that you don't know how you can possibly continue to keep up the routine. Don't look past today. Keep your focus on 'this day' and trust that your faith will carry you through the tomorrows. If you try to carry the load of all of those tomorrows, you will likely break under the strain of a load that you are not meant to bear.

For this day, for this post (my first in this new blogging direction!), I encourage you to live in this day alone.

Psalm 118 v 24: This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

You may not have awakened this morning with much to look forward to, or to be glad about. Remember today that the Lord walks beside you. He will never leave you and He longs to comfort you. Your only requirement is to live this day with all the strength and energy He gives. He will help you through this day.

Be glad and rejoice in this day because you are not alone. He walks with you. I walk with you, as well as countless others who are on this same journey. It is my hope (and prayer!) that today you will find something to be joyful about... that you will find a moment of genuine gladness in the middle of your challenging situation.

I hope that you will continue to join me as I write from my experience as a care-giver. I have much to share and will do my best to give you helpful ideas and suggestions. My best gift to you will be the ability to find your joy in each day of the journey. As you care for your loved one, remember that each day is a gift... one more opportunity to show how much you love and care for them... even if they do not have the mental capacity to process the gift. As with all things in this life, your responsibilities will one day change. Find something today to treasure and be thankful for. Thankfulness will most certainly bring you joy.

Until next time...

Be blessed,

Coming Soon...

noreply@blogger.com (Susan K Baldwin) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:23:00 +0000

Hello again...

I am making my way back to the blogging world....

My new look and posts are still under construction, so please be patient and check back soon!

Blessings,