Episodes
Thursday Feb 17, 2022
This Happened With A Lyft Ride-Buyer Beware!
Thursday Feb 17, 2022
Thursday Feb 17, 2022
The morning of Gracie's recent surgery in Denver, I called a Lyft ride (like I've done for years!). We'd had a lot of snow and ice, and I opened the door to the car - only to have part of the trim that was frozen to the car come off. I picked it up and put it in the car- and then he took me to the hospital where Gracie was already being prepped for surgery.
Later that afternoon, I got a message on my phone about that incident. I couldn't believe what Lyft did - and I'm just posting this as a "Buyer Beware" message.
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
A Bowl of Soup and a Kind Word
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
During a challenging hospital stay for my wife, friends called and asked me to stop by their home. After doing laundry, I swung by their house while returning to the hospital. Smiling at the puzzled look on my face, they directed me to the kitchen table, where a single place setting awaited.
“Your in-laws are caring for your boys, and the hospital staff is caring for Gracie. Sit, eat, and let us care for you. They promptly served me a steaming bowl of vegetable beef soup, a massive slice of cornbread, and a large glass of tea. As a child of the South, they couldn’t have picked a better meal for me.
I tried to make conversation but couldn’t find the words. “Just eat and rest,” they repeated several times.
After finishing the meal, I got up to head back to the hospital, and they both hugged me. “You have a lot to do, but now do it on a full stomach – knowing that you’re loved.”
Many express difficulties in knowing how to help a caregiver, but most caregivers agree that it’s not complicated.
Sometimes it’s just a bowl of soup and a kind word.
“The angel of God came back, shook him [Elijah] awake again, and said, “Get up and eat some more—you’ve got a long journey ahead of you.”– I Kings 19:7 The Message (The Bible)
If you are enjoying these podcast episodes, consider being a patron or supporting our work at www.hopeforthecaregiver.com/giving
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Some Caregivers May Find This Helpful During the Christmas Season.
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
For many caregivers, the relationship between themselves and their loved ones may have faded beyond recognition due to cognitive impairment. When you're loved one can't remember your name, getting a card from them is certainly out of the question. Here's an idea I came up with years ago that seemed to catch on for a lot of my fellow caregivers.
If you need some help with it, call my friends Ken and Cindy Najar at Logos Bookstore in Nashville TN. (615) 297-5388. You don't have to live in Nashville ...or even TN. They help people with this and other things from literally around the world.
Healthy Caregivers Make Better Caregivers, and that healthiness always starts at the heart level. This is a great way to help ease the heartache you may carry as a caregiver.
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Caregivers and Self Esteem
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Monday Sep 28, 2020
EVERY caregiver will at some point fall into the trap of beating themselves up without mercy. If an impaired love one joins that chorus (not to mention family members), then how does a caregiver endure with ANY healthy self esteem?
We discussed this in today's episode.
Wednesday Feb 12, 2020
"We have Met The Enemy ...and He is Us!
Wednesday Feb 12, 2020
Wednesday Feb 12, 2020
With all due respect to Commodore Perry ...I paraphrased, changed, and re-appropriated his famous quote.
As caregivers, our enemy is not our loved one ...or their condition. Rather, it is ourselves. Particularly the pesky, yet delicious sin that we savor: Resentment.
Sponsored by:
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
"If You've Got Your Hair and Your Teeth ...You're Alright!"
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Back in the 1970's, a friend of mine in the music business worked with legendary artist, James Brown. Years later, my friend encountered the soul singer again and remarked, "You haven't changed in 25 years!
With a huge smile, James Brown responded, "If You've Got Your Hair and Your Teeth ...You're Alright!"
While our hair supply (or lack thereof) may be genetic, we can, however, address the needs of our teeth. Recently visiting my dentist, I had an interesting conversation with the hygienist.
Well, actually she talked ...I sounded a lot like, "Mmmdfh, Dpohhs, OPPPD!"
As caregivers, we should never underestimate the importance of visiting the dentist for regular cleaning. That one act can help us in a myriad of ways, and as caregivers ...I think it's safe to say that we need all the help we can get!
Enjoy John (the count of Mighty Disco) and me discussing this often overlook but critically important issue for family caregivers.
Sponsored by: