Hope for the Caregiver

Colleen Swindoll Thompson Shares How She Reframed The Caregiving Journey

Colleen Swindoll Thompson's caregiving journey has included abuse, sexual trauma, and physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. Through it all, she's learned to run to Christ and anchor herself in God's faithfulness and provision - while helping her family and others do the same.

See more at her website: Reframingministries.com  

Perception Isn’t Always Reality

While in Ghana with our prosthetic limb outreach, Standing With Hope, Gracie and I visited a church in the port city of Tema. Following the service, I met a tall, impressive man wearing a flowing white traditional costume with gold trim. With a thick English/Ghanian accent, I heard him introduce himself as “…de King,’ Amos.”

Never meeting a king, I felt a bit tongue-tied and stammered, “Sir, I apologize – I don’t know how to properly address you.” 

With a huge smile, he offered in his deep voice, “Just call me “Amos.” 

“Sir, I can’t just call you that,” I replied – but he graciously continued chatting. Shortly after, while attending a reception with the pastor, I exclaimed, “I just met the King!” 

With a perplexed look, the pastor asked, “What King?”

“The King, Amos,” I replied.

Thinking for a minute, the pastor exploded in laughter and spoke in his native language to the room full of Ghanaians – who also started chuckling.

Sheepishly, I asked him to explain. 

With his equally thick Ghanian accent, the pastor laughed and shared. “You met a church officer, ‘Dea-con’ Amos – not ‘De King,’ Amos.”  

Perceptions often cloud hearing. The man looked regal – and perception allowed my ears to misinterpret. While my mistake only resulted in laughter, many misconstrued conversations can result in hurt feelings, resentment, and fractured relationships. 

Caregiving breeds isolation and isolation distorts perception – which leads to significant challenges. Asking for clarification, regardless of embarrassment, always trumps misunderstanding.

Studies have shown that 90% of error in thinking is due to error in perception. - Edward de Bono

Impact of Opioids on Family Caregivers

When a loved one takes opioids - even when prescribed and as ordered - what is the impact on the family caregiver?

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We Can‘t Change the People Around Us, But ...

As caregivers, owe it to ourselves to inventory the voices with access to our hearts. Although caregivers often find themselves in heartbreaking circumstances or surrounded by those with criticism or other negative attitudes, we have the power to change that.

Recently talking with a man struggling while watching his wife slip away, I said, “You live in an environment permeated by approaching death. Balance that by immersing yourself into life.”

Knowing he has great-granddaughters close by, I suggested letting the attendants briefly look after his wife so he can spend time with those precious girls. “The life bubbling out of your great grandchildren provides a counterweight to your sorrow.’

We can’t change the people around us, but we can CHANGE the people around us.

From Your Caregiver Minute with Peter Rosenberger

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Sometimes, They're Just Mean

In addition to all the challenges of caregiving, many family caregivers struggle under the additional burden of being treated poorly.  From accusations of stealing to abuse, the heartache of poor treatment wears down the already burdened hearts of countless caregivers.  Maybe it's narcotics or dementia. Sometimes it's sundowners. Sometimes, they're just mean. 

Sadly, the isolation of caregiving keeps this issue in the dark, and abused caregivers may feel they're all alone in this. 

We talked about this on the show, and let callers share their stories.

www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

#400 My Toughest Issue as a Caregiver? Knowing What is Mine ...and Not Mine.

From HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER 5/9/2020

A reporter once asked me, What's the toughest issue for you as a caregiver?

"Hands down," I replied. "Knowing What is Mine and Not Mine."

All too many times, because I felt out of control, I tried to insert myself into things that were not mine to control (or attempt to control). Is that a common feeling for you as a caregiver? 

We discussed this on the show ...plus we took calls.  Some of these calls are hard to hear, but that's the purpose of this show ...to provide a safe place for people to share these burdens. 

Hope for the Caregiver's podcast contains 400 episodes in our library. We want to make it free to any who needs to connect...so, please consider being a patron today. For as little as $1 per month, you can help us continue to reach family caregivers!  Click here for more!

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www.standingwithhope.com

 

 

Dr. Chuck Betters and MARKINC Ministries Tackle the Toughest of Issues ...To Point Others To Safety.

When Chuck and Sharon Betters learned of the son's tragic death twenty-five years ago, they had no idea how God will minister to them in such a brutal heartache  ...and then lead them into ministering to countless others.  They've assembled resources for hurting individuals, families, churches, and communities.  Just a few of the topics they address include:

• Post Abortion Guilt
• Infidelity
• Death
• Incest
• Abuse

Now, they've created an video-counseling service.  Safe, secure, and affordable, this Biblically-based counseling service can help those struggling with heartbreaking challenges who don't have access to counselors in their area ...or have lost their independence due to caregiving responsibilities. 

For more information visit:  www.Markinc.org or https://biblicalcounseling.online/