Hope for the Caregiver

A caller to the show struggled with a problem many are facing:  how to handle someone with dementia. In her case, it involved the family finances.

"My husband has Parkinson's and dementia but yesterday he spent $1,400 in the stock market. Should I just give him grace?" 

Our topic for this show was "grace." But sometimes, we misapply grace when boundaries would serve us (and our loved ones) better. 

www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

 

Compassion Radio's Bram Floria interviewed me for a two part series on the family caregiver. 

compassionradio.com

Detaching from the poor conduct of an impaired loved one remains one of the toughest challenges for family caregivers.  Sometimes the behavioral issues stem from chronic pain, dementia, pharmaceuticals or fear—maybe they’re just having a bad day. Regardless of why, we don’t have to take it personally—even if it sounds personal. 

We all volunteer to serve as caregivers. Sadly, some people abandon a spouse, parent, or even a child  ...they have that choice. 
Although feeling obligated may drive so much of it, you're still serving. Isn't that worth celebrating something extraordinary about you?

www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

During our first full winter in Montana, a friend gave me some of the best advice for the snowy road conditions here in the Treasure State. 
“Drive at the speed you’re comfortable slamming into the ditch at.”
While laughing at the pointed guidance, I also considered the implications for other areas. As caregivers, we often race around at breakneck speeds—while in treacherous conditions. Relationships, money, and our health can all be severe hazards. The faster we move, the greater the risks. 

Veteran Journalist, Richard Lui (MSNBC, NBC) shares how his journey as a caregiver for his father with Alzheimer's opened a door to understand more of the human condition. 
The award-winning news anchor decided to set aside his growing career to care for family. Selflessness, however, did not come easily. So, Richard set out to explore why he struggled. From a journalist's point of view, he digs into and shares stories from his seven-year "selfless" exploration.
In this book, "Enough About Me - The Unexpected Power of Selflessness," Richard shares how small choices toward selflessness are not a compromise, but instead a way to a more satisfying life. 
www.richardlui.com

Caregivers often berate and judge themselves without mercy over their job performance. In this episode, I invite caregivers to use a different criteria. www.hopeforthecaregiver.com