Hope for the Caregiver

Caregivers and Dementia Patients With Sheila Welch

Show Guest Shares Tips for Caregivers and Dementia Patients

Sheila Welch called the show to share about a recent Caregiver conference at Due West United Methodist Church (DWUMC) in Marietta, GA.

The Coordinator of DWUMC Caregivers' Ministry and a  Family Support Group Facilitator, Sheila is also a Certified Trainer for Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care. Sheila draws upon her own difficult journey as a caregiver.  Her passion is to provide practical help and encouragement to fellow caregivers. In this interview she shares a bit of what she learned from educator and dementia care expert,Teepa Snow.

Here's a brief transcript from the show interview

Peter: Speaking to a group in Alaska recently, I happened to ask a question, "How many of you all have been grabbed or choked by a patient or somebody you're taking care of?" And every one of them had been grabbed. And nearly every one of them had been choked.  So, I spent a little bit of time showing them how to get out of grabs and chokes, and so forth.  A little bit of what I've learned through marital arts. You don't think about that, but a lot of caregivers are slight women, smaller women, taking care of large men.  These are frightening things.  They are physically hurting these caregivers.

Sheila:  I lead a group of spouses who are loving a husband or wife through Alzheimer's or some related dementia.  Some of those ladies are very small.  Some of the husbands can become violent.

Don't Just Show Up Suddenly To Someone Living With Dementia

There are actually ways to approach people who are living with dementia that are different from approaching a person who is suffering from another illness ...to help reduce the risk of some of those horrible occurrences.  So many times, the person who is living with dementia is terrified when they have some come upon them and they don't even know they're there, because their vision has been impaired to a point where peripherally, they never saw you coming. So, their fight/flight mechanism triggers.  They're terrified. It leaves us as caregivers so at a loss at how we should be treating them. And it leaves that person with dementia in a terrible state.

Peter:You know, we never even think about that.  How horribly afraid these individuals are.  And they don't see it coming. They're sitting there minding their own business, and then all of sudden someone approaches out of nowhere, according to their field of view.  And they don't even know who they are!   I mean, John, look how we are when someone does that to us.

Sheila:  And we can think through it, Peter. We can calm ourselves down and we can think through it, because our brain is still working.  The brain of someone who is living with dementia has at least two areas that are actively dying. And so, they don't have the tools to handle the situation.  So it's up to us to learn how to care for them, and how to best approach them. And all of that takes a great deal education.  And that's what we are trying to do at the caregivers ministry at my church.

Hit the play button above to hear the whole interview and learn tips on how to approach someone living with dementia. 

 

A Conversation With Kim Campbell

Kim Campbell, wife of iconic star, Glen Cambell, joined us on the show to share her journey with Glen and Alzheimer's disease.  From isolation to loss of identity ...to the challenges of a tiny woman with a large husband with dementia, Kim opened her heart and gave us a glimpse into the challenges of caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's

For more information on Kim, visit her blog at www.careliving.org

 

 

About Peter Rosenberger

Serving as a caregiver for his wife for more than thirty years through a medical nightmare has equipped Peter Rosenberger with insights, practical understanding and a deep compassion for his fellow caregivers. Emerging as a powerful voice of experience for an unprecedented need, Peter is equipping fellow caregives to live a calmer, healthier, and even more joyful life.

For more information visit www.caregiverswithhope.com 

Jeff Foxworthy Calls The Show

Superstar comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, called the show to celebrate our 200th episode.  Sharing his own journey as a caregiver, he also voiced his support for fellow caregivers and affirmed his love of our show.

Wrapping it up, we couldn't resit riffing on a few "YOU MIGHT BE A CAREGIVER IF ..." lines.

Showing his heart, faith, and love of others, it's easy to know why Jeff is one of the most beloved comedians of all time. For more information, visit www.jefffoxworthy.com 

Dr. Michael Christie and the Walk Strong Foundation

Dr. Michael Christie, of the Southern Joint Replacement Insitute in Nashville, called the show today to discuss their work with hips, knees, and shoulders ...as well his passion for helping provide medical care for underserved countries through the Walk Strong Foundation. 

 

Disability Benefits Help

Bryan MacMurray from Disability Benefits Help called the show to discuss tips for caregivers helping their loved one secure disability benefits.

Since 2009, Disability Benefits Help has provided information to individuals who are seeking to apply for Social Security Disability benefits or have been denied after applying for Social Security disability. We inform those with disabilities about the Social Security Disability application process and help them locate an attorney or advocate who can assist them by providing contact information of an attorney or advocate who represents applicants for disability benefits before the Social Security Administration.

 

Disability Benefits Help
326 A Street, Unit 1A
Boston, MA 02210
617.849.5892 (fax)
help@disability-benefits-help.org

 

Reliable Mobile Labs

Listen to the clip by clicking above.

 

One of the best resources for ME ...as a caregiver, has been Reliable Mobile Labs.  Like clockwork, Reliable Mobile Labs send a technician to our home to draw blood from Gracie.  She has to have regular lab work, and I used to have to help her get her prosthetic legs on, drive her to the lab ...wait there ...and then fight Nashville traffic to get her home.  She was exhausted ...just from all of that. 

Now, Reliable Mobile Labs personnel come out early in the morning (so that the results can be coordindated with her doctor on the same day).

Often times, Gracie doesn't even wake up ...and they are done within ten minutes. 

If your loved one requires regular lab work, ask your doctor if this option is available to you.  It's not just for the patient ...it HELPS THE CAREGIVER!

www.reliableml.com 

 

 

Morning Pointe Foundation/Kim Campbell Event

The Morning Pointe Foundation invites the greater Nashville, Tennessee area to a FREE community awareness event to hear Kim Campbell, wife and caregiver of country music legend Glen Campbell.

Mrs. Campbell will speak about her personal journey as an Alzheimer’s caregiver March 30 at 7 p.m., at Brentwood Baptist Church (7777 Concord Road in Brentwood, Tennessee).

 

Ashley Briggs, from Morning Pointe in Franklin, TN, called the show to share more about this event.