Contemplative practices for adults, older adults, and their caregivers
The warning read, “Getting out of this car requires significant flexibility and strength in your knees, back, and shoulders. Please do not sit in the car if you have difficulties in those areas.” Four years ago, I would have backed away. Four years ago, if I was at an auto show, I would have been …
Continue reading "The Race to Recovery for Family Caregivers"
“Be careful – watch for the others walking the labyrinth!” cautioned the mom of two preschoolers scampering across the labyrinth paths. It was a very large classic 7 circuit labyrinth and the boys had been careful thus far. Truly I was enjoying their energy as they collected and arranged the fallen flowers found on the …
Time to reflect is often missing from a fast pace lifestyle. Yet without reflection, self-awareness and conscious decision making slip by the wayside. Reflection is an opportunity to stop and think. With practice your reflective process can be a profound opportunity to hear your wise inner voice. With reflection, you can increase your awareness of …
Dementia can be distressing to residents experiencing it as well as to their caregivers. While you can’t know what having dementia is like without the personal experience, and who wants that, you can often see visual signs of stress, anxiety, confusion, anger, and frustration. A safe and calm environment contributes to the quality of life …
Continue reading "Helping long term care residents with dementia feel calm, safe and happy"
“Your hands are so warm; they feel so good. It feels soft. I feel good all over!” What’s this? In a long term care center? It’s Reiki! At Mary Immaculate Nursing/Restorative Care Center, Inc. in Lawrence, Massachusetts residents may receive Reiki through a grant funded activities program called, “Beyond Bingo.” Initially begun to provide activity …
Calm and centered caregiver series Family caregivers, do you need someone to substitute for you? If you take care of a loved one who cannot care for themselves, ‘respite’ is the official name for help so you can take a break. Even if you find caregiving to be a blessing, research indicates family …
Continue reading "Substitute caregivers: respite when family caregivers need a break"
The Calm and Centered caregiver series Family caregivers, do you find it difficult to be calm and centered? Do you have frantic caregiving days when you can’t even take a shower? Everything was urgent and in the moment for the loved one in my care. On the days when it is most …
The Calm and Centered Caregiver series Family caregivers, when’s the last time you had a vacation? Is that even a legitimate idea - a vacation from family caregiving? It absolutely is, and the official term is ‘respite.’ During ‘normal’ times people vacation for all sorts of reasons; a change of scenery, to …
Continue reading "Away with you! Respite travel for family caregivers"
Calm and centered caregiver series Family caregivers, do you need a break? Your dedication to your loved one is amazing, and caregiving is rewarding. But perhaps you are feeling restless, irritable, oversensitive, anxious, angry, or resentful. Or are you experiencing headaches, digestive problems like diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, sleep disturbances, or even cardiac …
Drumming is cultural, spiritual, playful, and healing. What an extraordinary statement from a child of the 1970’s. For me, the word “drumming’ used to evoke memories of rock and roll drum solos; the outcome of which was usually ringing ears and angry parents. Now I recognize drumming as a modality used in complementary and alternative …
Continue reading "Get with the beat: drumming for well-being"
