Not quite the plan: Dating and caregiving.
Posted: April 21, 2015 Filed under: Miscellaneous | Tags: "Not quite the plan", "What to Do about Mama?", caregiving-book, dating and caregiving 1 CommentIn response to the “Not quite the plan’s” post on “Dating and caregiving:”
I refer you to “Marianne’s Story” in my book What to Do about Mama? Marianne opens her story with the comment, “I provided care for both my mother and my father. My mother had multiple sclerosis my entire life, so my caregiving began as early as age 4, when I simply offered my hand to help steady her walking gait.” (WTDAM p. 116) She goes on to describe her caregiving role as her responsibilities grew over a period of 40 years.
Later in her story Marianne states, “My husband, too, has had a lifetime caregiver role both with his sister, and later, his mother.” (WTDAM p. 119) (Sister is a post-polio survivor who must sleep in an iron lung every night. Mother lived to be a centenarian.)
One can conjecture that early on in their relationship, these two individuals were attracted to one another based on their similar life experiences and value systems; and taking that one step further, that their successful multi-decade marriage was built on mutual understanding, cooperation, and commitment.
My point? Keep looking. You, too, may find your diamond in the rough.
So another relationship ended a couple of months ago and I am back to the wilds of dating life. This week I have my first first date in a couple of years and am of course contemplating how to juggle dating and caregiving for Mom.
I find myself staring at the question on the online dating site I frequent: “Would you date someone who still lives with his/her parents?” Answer– from every guy who appears like an interesting date for me: “No.”
And then there is the message from someone who thinks he is being creative by asking me what the movie about my life would be titled. I ponder whether I share one of my possible titles for my memoir about this whole caregiving journey. Not quite the plan?
At what point does one mention, by the way, I live with my mother with rapidly advancing dementia? Is this a topic for…
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Psychology Today Post
Posted: April 17, 2015 Filed under: Assuming Caregiving Responsibilities, Emotional and Physical Challenges | Tags: "What to Do about Mama?", burnout, caregiver-surveys, caregiving-book, coping-with-caregiving, Diane Dreher, eldercare, Matthews-and-Blank, Psychology-Today, sandwich-generation, stess-management-techniques, strategies-of-caregiving, stress 1 CommentAmbushed by Eldercare? You’re Not Alone
7 strategies to help you cope
Post published by Diane Dreher Ph.D. on Apr 08, 2015 in Your Personal Renaissance
Source: Google Images labeled for reuse
Late one night the phone rings. Your 80-year-old mother has had a heart attack and your life turns upside down, bringing worry, stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, your days punctuated by one crisis after another.
More than 54 million Americans are unpaid caregivers to their family members, two-thirds of whom are women (Matthews & Blank, 2013). Pulled in multiple directions at once, many are caring for their own children, as well as older relatives, and their numbers are only increasing as the population ages.
“It is a terrible situation to have so many people to care for and yet also have work responsibilities and other commitments—as well as the need to take care of oneself and remain sane,” says Barbara Trainin Blank, author, with Barbara Matthews, of What to Do about Mama? A Guide to Caring for Aging Family Members (2013, p. 43).
Blank, a professional writer accustomed to multiple deadlines, admits that, “Taking care of my mother may have been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do in my life” (2013, p. 34). Her mother lived 180 miles away, her brother lived much closer, but in many families the weight of caregiving often falls upon one person.
Cascading stress, sleeplessness, grief, guilt, family conflicts, anger, resentment, exhaustion, and burnout—caregiving takes its toll. Psychologist Dale Larson calls this falling into “the helper’s pit” (1993, p. 38). How to stay out of the pit? Larson says to stop blaming yourself if you feel overwhelmed by caregiving and ask instead, “What can I do about this situation?” (1993, p. 55). Drawing insights from their own experience and a wide range of caregivers, Matthews and Blank offer seven powerful strategies:
- Start Planning. If you have older family members, begin asking about their values and wishes for the years ahead. Do they need to scale down, move into a more accessible home, closer to family members, or into a continuing care community? Determine what needs to be done and the support caregivers will need to handle these challenges. If your relative is intent on staying at home, who will pay the bills? Take this person to the doctor? Assist with meals and the activities of daily living?
- Get Community Support. Find out about support services in your relative’s community, such as the local Agency on Aging. Check out senior services and information online such as ElderCarelink (link is external)or SeniorsList (link is external).
- Reach Out. Network with other family members and your loved one’s neighbors and friends. Check out possible support from your relative’s church or synagogue. And consider joining a caregivers’ support group to share information and personal support.
- Take Care of Yourself. Too many caregivers wear themselves out, getting sick themselves. Watch for signs of stress and burnout. Are you:
- Feeling run down and exhausted?
- Having trouble sleeping?
- Easily annoyed?
- Getting sick more often?
- Having trouble concentrating or remembering things?
- Becoming socially isolated?
- Feeling helpless, depressed, or overwhelmed?
Caregiving is a serious responsibility, but don’t become so engulfed in it that you stop being yourself.
- Make time for a regular stress management practice. Barbara Trainin Blank says she dealt with the challenge of caregiving by walking in the mornings with a friend. Regular exercise is good for both body and mind, relieving stress, activating our immune systems, and helping dispel depression (Rethorst & Trivedi, 2013).
- Take regular breaks. Matthews and Blank emphasize the need for regular “respite care,” especially if you are caring for your loved one’s daily needs. If possible, recruit other family members. Check out senior day services and respite referrals at the local senior center.
- Keep up with your own interests. Blank stayed in touch with friends and participated in community groups—relieved to spend time with people who were not dealing with the chronic stress of caregiving. She continued to do some of the things she loves: creative writing projects, watching old movies, and donating to causes she believes in.
As Matthews and Blank (2013) found in their surveys of more than 30 caregivers, the key is to balance your own needs with compassionate care and realistic problem solving. How you handle the challenge of caregiving will make a major difference in many lives, including your own.
References
Matthews, B. G., & Blank, B. T. (2013). What to do about Mama? A guide to caring for aging family members. Mechanicsburg, PA: Sunbury Press. http://www.amazon.com/What-Do-about-Mama-Members/dp/1620063158/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427846005&sr=1-1&keywords=what+to+do+about+mama (link
Larson, D. G. (1993). The helper’s journey: Working with people facing grief, loss, and life-threatening illness. Champaign, IL: Research Press.http://www.amazon.com/Helpers-Journey-Working-Life-Threatening-Illness/dp/0878223444/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428530954&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Helper%27s+Journey
Rethorst, C. D., & Trivedi, M. H. (2013). Evidence-based recommendations for the prescription of exercise for major depressive disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 19, 204-212.
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Diane Dreher is a best-selling author, personal coach, and professor at Santa Clara University. Her latest book is Your Personal Renaissance: 12 Steps to Finding Your Life’s True Calling.
Where Do We Go from Here?: Katie’s Story, Part Twenty-Five
Posted: April 12, 2015 Filed under: Katie's Story | Tags: "What to Do about Mama?", altruism, caregiving-book, Gabrielle Griffords, Katie, serving-others, Sharon Budd, support groups, TBI, vision 3 Comments
Katie’s Motto
Katie’s life before her TBI was full of profoundly meaningful activity. Katie was dedicated to helping others in a multitude of ways. (See “The Plan” Katie’s Story Part Six.)
Katie’s life now revolves around her daily care.
Additionally, however, there has been significant improvement in her social interaction. She is able to go to church. Friends come to visit, and together they enjoy activities like dinner and movies and games.
But I’ve been thinking about ways to rekindle the element of altruism that was once integral to Katie’s objective in life.
I asked Katie if she would like have a pen pal, and suggested
Gabrielle Giffords http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabrielle_Giffords or
Sharon Budd http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/10/victim_of_i-80_rock-throwing_s.html
The idea did not pique her interest.
I talked to Sam about joining a support group so that he and Katie could have the opportunity to both give and receive encouragement by sharing common challenges with other brain injury patients.
Sam did not discount the idea entirely, so I think I will bring it up with Katie at our next visit.
Sam did say, however, that he is not personally under a lot of stress, and although that is probably not entirely true, I will say that his demeanor has improved greatly. Sam appears to be doing better than I have seen him for more than two years.
When I asked Sam specifically if life has improved for him since Katie came home, he replied, “Yes.” This I was obviously pleased to hear.
NO BIG NEWS
A GOOD thing!
I’ve been struggling somewhat over continuing to blog Katie’s Story. There is no longer any “big” news to report—and that is a good thing.
So, although I will leave the door open for future posts about Katie, I would like to sum up Katie’s Story with the following observation.
Life is unpredictable and sometimes catastrophic. What happened to Katie was tragic and overwhelming. Although Katie’s life will never be the same as it was before her brain surgery, it is better. Arriving at this place was improbable, but every effort has been worthwhile.
I would recommend to others in crisis to think creatively, to be optimistic, and to have perseverance. Sometimes you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.
And finally—
A Movie for Katie: Katie’s Story, Part Twenty-Four
Posted: April 3, 2015 Filed under: Katie's Story | Tags: Biopic, caregiving-book, Hope, Katie, Life, Objectives, Social-network Leave a comment
Judene and I couldn’t visit Katie last week. Sam called and cancelled our date because they were having other company. Sam was apologetic, but I told him that was great. Re-establishing a social network is one of the objectives of bringing Katie home.
We were able, however, to visit Katie yesterday. I brought the movie The Theory of Everything which is a biopic about quantum physicist and scientific genius Stephen Hawking, who was diagnosed with a devastating neuromuscular disease in 1962. While he was given a life expectancy of two years—Hawking overcame all the odds and is still living more than fifty years later.
Katie Identifies
In one poignant scene, Hawking fantasizes about getting out of his wheelchair, walking down the steps, and picking up a pen that a young woman has dropped. Katie has, on a number of occasions, imagined that she, too, has walked. We were able to talk about how intense desire can make such an illusion seem so real.
…and the popcorn, too!
At the end of the movie Stephen Hawking’s character states, “Where there is life there is hope.” I think Katie enjoyed the movie and the message…
What to Do about Mama? 