Caregivers Who Need To Supplement Income

Easy Way For Caregivers To Supplement Their Income!

Even if you are a 24/7 caregiver, you need a respite.
For caregivers who have left their jobs to look after
an aging parent, these economic times have left many
wondering what's to become of them.

Some caregivers work part-time while having an
elderly parent live with them. (this was my case)

Whatever the circumstances of your caregiving
situation happens to be, money always seems to
be in short supply.

And finding a way to increase the household income
is a godsend. I've known several people who have
provided businesses in their area with vital
information and got paid to do it.

This may be an idea that would work for you in
your caregiver world...

Easy Way For Caregivers To Supplement Their Income!

Stress Relief For Caregivers

Caregivers have a very stressful life. Yes,
you love the care receiver. But, if any of
you have cared for someone who is ill or
an aging parent, you know what I'm talking
about.

It is so important that you don't neglect your
own health. You must do whatever it takes
to keep stress under control.

If you need to get someone in to look after
your care receiver so you can take five, then
so be it.

Take a walk. Work in the garden. Meditate.
Visit friends. Read. Listen to music. Just BE!

How Caregivers Can Find Work From Home Jobs

Mom will be gone 2 years this month and I still think
how much easier it would have been if I would have
been able to have had a work from home job...

Thankfully, she didn't need me full time until the
end and I was able to take a leave from work. Not
everyone is in that position.

If you are a caregiver who must be at home but
still would like a way to have a job and still be
available for your loved one, there now are answers.

I think this is a godsend. There are legitimate
work from home job opportunities for all skills
and qualifications.

I'm sure you will be able to find something on this
work from home job bank that will fit your lifestyle
and needs. Something right for you and your family.

Good luck!

Make Money Online! Visit the Internet's Leading Work From Home Job Bank.

Aging Parents and The "Only Child"

Can you say "only child" and "guilt"? Hmmm,
you're feeling guilty, aren't you?

My Mom passed away in May 2006. I'm still
guilty! And I worry. About everything. I used to
think I'd outgrow it. I'm still waiting. And I'm OLD!

Seems to me I had these same emotions when I
was 10 years old. That's when I knew. That I was
the one they were going to depend on "in their
old age".

We "only children" have it both good and bad.

There are no siblings to argue with over what should
be done for our parents and who is going to do it. Good!
There are no siblings to share the load and give you
a hug and emotional support we so desperately need
at this time. That's bad!
Then when we have to say the final "Goodbye", we
go home alone. If you have a partner or children of
your own, they become your lifeline.

If like me, you're divorced/no kids, you are alone.
This is why for the "only child", you must look for all
available help. Call every agency in your area and find
out what services are there for you and your aging parent.
You may be very surprised.

I waited too long. Thought I could do it all myself. But
as Mom became more feeble and unable to do things
for herself, it was heaven to have the help provided in
the community. Don't wait. Even if you don't need help
right now, at least check them out. They will guide you.
So when you both need outside assistance, it's there for you.

Here are two resources you may find right for you...

The CareGiver Community

Grieving Process: How Can Anyone Really Help?

Grieving...The hardest part of life's certainties.

If we live and love, we will grieve. Even if the
person we grieve for happens to die at 100, we
always wish for just one more good-bye.

Of course, the absolute worst grief comes when
a parent has to grieve their child. If the child is
stricken with a disease or dies in an accident, it's
horrendous enough. When a child is murdered...
how does anyone ever wrap their minds around that?

I've been fixated on the grieving process, especially
in these last few weeks. A 12 year old child from our
community was murdered. Even people who never
even met her are now in the grieving process.

If someone we know are grieving, how can we help?
How can we help ourselves? When my Mom passed
away, the most comfort to me was just to be hugged.

Or having a phone call, knowing someone cared enough
to let me talk my feelings out. No matter how much
time passes, those gestures are always remembered
by the person in grief.

But many find it hard to comfort someone. They don't
want to say or do the wrong thing. So they do nothing.

If you are at a loss of how to help someone who has
lost a loved one, please...just give them a long substantial
hug.

Being part of this community that is now reeling from
this child's murder, has caused me to look for some
sort of help.

"Is There Anything I Can Do?" is a beautifully written
guide to understanding what to do to help someone
you know and love through the grieving process.

If you'd like to take a look...
Click Here!

And remember, never turn away because you're afraid.
Open your arms and gather them to you. Our town is
doing a lot of that since February 14th....

Caregivers and Feeling Alone

The CareGiver Community

Being a caregiver can be a very lonely time.
Your friends may not even know what you're
going through or dealing with.

Sometimes we feel we should be able to handle
it all on our own. But, this can lead to depression.

As more and more people are becoming caregivers
because of the aging population, thankfully, there
are people out there who care enough to offer
help and "community".

The CareGiver Community

When I was my Mom's caregiver, I didn't know
about this wonderful, supportive site shown to
me by my dearest friend.

You'll want to visit this site if you are caring for
an aging parent, a child, a family member,
whomever!

If I could have my mother back and do it all
again, I wouldn't try to go it alone. I would make
use of all the help available. I would have been
happier and healthier. And I know it would have
been an added blessing to Mom.

Don't live with my regrets. It will be too late,
all too soon.

The CareGiver Community

Happy New Year To All Caregivers!

To everyone who drops by here, I want to
wish you a Happy New Year! Maybe you've
read an article of mine somewhere and that
led you here to my little blog.

(If you wanted to read more posts concerning
caring for aging parents, just scroll down the
page.)

I thank each one of you who took the time
out of your hectic days to visit. And, I know
how hectic they are. At the risk of sounding
sappy...I wish mine were like that again.

Because I miss my Mom. Even the bad times.
Which when we were going through them, I
never thought I'd say! Funny, isn't it?

So for 2008, I wish the best for all of you.
Reach out and take the help that's out there
for you. You simply can't do it all yourself.

When someone offers to help you, take them
up on it, please!

Look after yourself. That's the most crucial
thing of all. Because as a caregiver, you're
body is enduring things you are not even
aware of at the time. You just do it.

May this coming year fill you with a new
sense of peace, tolerance and understanding.

Exaggerate the good times. Minimize the hard
times. Give hugs. And, for pity's sake GET
HUGS. We need the human contact. What
else matters?

Tell your mother, father or whoever it is
you are showing your love and concern for,
"I love you."

Love and blessings for 2008!
-Karen

Driving and the Elderly

Driving. Whoa, boy!

This is one explosive topic to handle. For
one thing, when someone has to give up
driving, they lose independence. Many
will fight the mere mention of it. Then,
some elders are so self-aware, they know
themselves when it's time to toss the keys!

We've all heard the horror stories of the
senseless accidents involving elderly drivers.
Pressing the accelerator, claiming they
thought it was the brake, etc.

Right in my hometown, an elderly driver
plowed into a department store front,
killing a Christmas shopper. Both families
were left totally devastated. The guilt
suffered by those who were well aware
of the limited ability of the driver have
to live with the knowledge the rest of their
lives.

The fact is that many elders are at higher
risk for driving accidents. We have to
monitor the situation.

Driving ability is affected by...

1. Hearing loss

Impaired hearing comes on gradually. A
senior may miss hearing honking, sirens
or children.

2. Vision loss

Depth perception and judging speed of
oncoming traffic are affected with age.
Night vision worsens and eyes are more
sensitive to sunlight and glare.

3. Mobility

Full range of motion is needed for operating
a motor vehicle. Flexibility decreases with
age. Chronic conditions limit mobility.

4. Medications

Side-effects increase driving risk.

5. Drowsiness

Older people sometimes don't sleep well
at night. This causes drowsiness during the
day and many doze off behind the wheel.

6. Dementia and brain impairment

Probably the cause of most accidents. Driver
becomes confused and frustrated. They have
delayed reactions or simply forget driving
mechanics. (happened to my father)

In a perfect world, drivers of all ages would
know when they should quit driving. Since
that's not the case, the caregivers have to
keep watch. Our elders may think we're
being cruel. They may hate us for a time
but it has to be done. For their benefit as
much as everyone else crossing their path.

-Karen

P.S. Elder care experts speak of their
specialties here...

http://www.clickaudit.com/goto/?64435

Loved Ones and the Cherished Memories

OK, we're two days from Christmas.
Nothing to it...

A good friend visited this afternoon who
lost her father just a couple days after
Mom died. (her Dad and Mom were good
friends, as well) Anyway, we were bringing
up good memories of Christmases-past and
having a chuckle.

One of my favorite memories of Mom is the
Christmas she decided to crochet sachets
filled with potpourri for our friends. They were
beautiful. All different colors, all decorated
differently. No two were alike.

I went to the craft store and found decorations
to sew on the sachets that matched the receiver's
personality, hobbies or life in some way. One
gardener had tiny shovels, watering cans and
flowers on hers. You get the picture...

Anyhow! There was a very special person in
my life at that time. Mom liked him too! She
wondered if he'd like one. Sure! Only trouble,
I picked black as the color for the bag.
(I love black) I wasn't thinking...

Mom had macular degeneration. Her eyesight
was failing badly. When I noticed it was taking
much longer to crochet this black bag compared
to the many others, I asked her about it. First,
she didn't want to say. She was so determined!

Then she confessed. It was extremely hard for
her to SEE to work with the black crochet cotton.
I felt terrible! Forget about it, I told her. No way.
She was going to complete this work if it took her
until Valentine's Day. And, she did.

I never told my friend how much love and care
went into the creation of his special gift. I was so
proud of her at the moment she proudly held it up.
"It's finished!" she said with a beaming smile. And
it was finished in plenty of time...

Thank you, Mom! I'll never forget what you did
that Christmas. How touched everyone was who
were special enough to receive one. They all still
talk about theirs. I will cherish mine forever.

The special friend? I couldn't tell you how he feels.
I don't know. He decided I was not special enough
to be in his life. Although he'll always be in my heart.
I hope, if he still has his gift from the heart, he can
look at it and feel good, if only for a moment in time.

Hold and cherish the good memories. Forget the bad ones...

Merry Christmas!
Love,
-Karen

Holidays and the Elderly

CHRISTMAS!

It's supposed to be the most wonderful
time of the year. For those lucky people
who can say it is the best time of the year,
count your blessings.

For many, sadly it is the most terrible
time of the year. You only have to witness
the suicide rate over the holidays.

It tracks the same with our elderly loved ones.
My heart breaks for those who need to live
in nursing homes and family members are too
far away to visit.

Dedicated staff try their best to bring joy
into their patients' lives but most residents
will say they long for a visit from a son or
daughter.

I was way fortunate than most. My mom
was able to live with me right up until she
passed on. This will be the second Christmas
without her. Since I'm divorced and don't
have children of my own, it's sad. I wish
she were here so I could watch her do her
favorite thing. Opening her Christmas stocking!
What joy shone in her eyes!

I always watched for signs of depression with
her. Dad's favorite time of year was Christmas
and Mom would be sad thinking of all their
Christmases together. But, she had me and
many wonderful friends.

We have to keep close watch, all year really
but especially during holidays and anniversaries
to ensure our elderly loved ones get help
before they slide into depression. Sadness is
normal. Depression is heart-wrenching for
everybody.

Since everyone seems to get busier and busier
each year, sometimes it's easy to forget how
aging parents are doing. Especially if they are
all alone.

Trust me on this. When they are no longer
with us, it's not the insane hustle and bustle
of getting ready for Christmas that we
remember.

It will be the memory of our loved ones. It
will be the memories of all our Christmases
together. From children up until their deaths.

There's only one thing that is important in
this life. And that's love. Unconditional love.
If you live close enough to get to your aging
parent's side, do it. To heck with last-minute
shopping. You've already bought enough.
Nobody will see that speck of dirt on the floor.
People will be adding more, for sure. As for the
dust bunnies, I say throw tinsel on them!

If your parents don't have trouble with mobility,
but are unable to drive, get them around to visit
their friends. If they can't go out safely, especially
if there's ice or snow-covered walkways, go
to them.

Throw an open house for their friends to come
to them. Yes, it all takes time. But think about
this. You may go to a Christmas party hosted
by someone you don't even like very much.
Which is more important in the big scheme of
things?

Sometimes with Mom and I, the best times
were when we just sat side by side. We didn't
even have to talk. Maybe we'd read. Or she'd
crochet. It was just the "being together" that
made all the difference. We both felt loved.

So please take the time to love your elderly
loved ones. Spend precious time with them.
It could be the one thing you do that actually
keeps depression away.

Nothing is sadder than seeing anyone suffer
with depression. Especially our elderly.

I wish you all a love-filled Christmas and the
ability to create more magic memories. When
they are no longer on this earth, it's the only
thing we have of them.

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Merry Christmas Mom. I hope you get
the biggest, brightest red sock, ever!

Love,
-Karen

P.S. For those who would like to learn how
to cope with the pressures and concerns of
caring for aging parents, here's help from
eldercare experts at...

http://www.clickaudit.com/goto/?64435