Guest Blogger: Margery Pabst- CAREGIVING: 3 Common Mistakes

November is National Caregivers Month, an appropriate time to reflect on our roles as caregivers, and a time to look forward to creating even more quality days and moments for ourselves and our loved ones.

If we work on improving three common mistakes, we can achieve more of those quality moments!

First, don’t avoid your feelings.  Keep in touch with your emotional self as you care for others and communicate those feelings directly and as candidly as possible.  It’s common to stifle your feelings and focus only on the needs and emotions of loved ones and family. 

As a caregiver, the situation you face is emotional and charged with underlying stress.  First get in touch with yourself, and expressing your fears, doubts, and needs is the first step.  Some tips to consider are:  Use statements like, “I am scared about the future” or “I feel so much pressure”, or “I am concerned about making a mistake with the medication.”  Your open acknowledgement will encourage others to be helpful and to be honest with you.  Encouraging your patient/care partner to express open and honest feelings is also healthy and helps you both to forge an even deeper relationship.

Second, don’t avoid dealing with family conflict.  Identifying problems early and dealing with them directly is the best plan.  A family conflict can cost everyone heartache, productivity, and money and rob the family of those quality days.

A strong foundation for dealing with family conflicts will exist if everyone shares feelings, concerns, and needs openly and honestly.  If the caregiver sets the stage for the exchange of ideas, a higher probability for success in saving time, money, and hurt feelings will result.  Some tips for dealing with family conflict:

• keep everyone informed.
• have frequent meetings/gatherings.
• seek common agreements before dealing with disagreements.

Third, don’t do everything yourself.  Build your caregiving community from your network of family, then friends, and then community and professional contacts.

Caregivers, particularly those dealing with chronic illness, can easily wear themselves out and it is a mistake to go it alone.  Other people may complete your tasks in a different way than you might, but let your feelings about “doing everything a certain way” go and roll with the flow.  Some tips for letting others help:

• begin with one trusted person and delegate a few, specific tasks.
• slowly develop a wider circle of friends, family, and community members to take on appropriate roles.
• write down your successes as others help you in your caregiving role.
• make sure to include professionals like attorneys, accountants, and spiritual advisors in your community circle.

Finally, always keep the goal in mind–creating quality moments and quality days for you and your loved ones.  Have a wonderful November and Happy Caregivers Month!

Margery Pabst is the author of “Words of Care”, her most recent book found on mycaregivingcoach.com, Amazon.com, and eCareDiary.com.  “Words of Care” is her fourth book on life transitions.  Margery is eCareDiary’s caregiving expert and the host of two BlogTalkRadio shows, Caregivers Speak! and Caregiver and Physician Conversations, sponsored by eCareDiary.com

Apple Team Makes Moves

It is more than just talking the talk, but also walking the walk. Today more than ever you see children 2-year old and up, playing on iPads and iPhones. It has become a social norm at dinner, turning breaks, etc. We ask ourselves:  why are we so glued to these devices? Are our children utilizing these devices like they should be? Sure, they have their ups and downs, but one thing I think we could all agree on is their Special Education Apps are incredibly beneficial.

 In 2010 Apple created a “Special Education” section in their apps for individuals with special needs, as reported by the DisabilityScoop. These 72 apps range from emotional to developmental to cognitive skills. These different apps will begin to open new possibilities for educational teachers and also for caregivers to help their child or adult develop needed skills.

In our Adult Day Break at the Miller Center in the Winter Park, we have used our iPads to help translate and build cognitive skills. At our Murray Child Development Center in Tampa, we've used iPads for therapy sessions.

Visit Apple’s Special Education section to find what app fits best for your child or adult.  #Caring4Others  #SpecialNeeds

Our Turn To Care For You

Over the 22 years of my life, I had never had to truly care for someone else other than myself it sounds selfish but it’s true. That all changed as the years flew by and I recently started to realize the aging and memory loss of my grandma. Even though she lives with my parents, she has always taken care of me and practically raised my brother and me when we were kids. It is our turn to care for her as she cared for us.

But what qualifies someone to be a caregiver and how do new caregivers learn what to do? Do they learn their skills from someone else or do they learn as they go?  Well it’s a little of both. Caregivers come in all different shapes and sizes, whether you are a spouse caring for a spouse or a sibling caring for another sibling.

I recently read in a Disability Scoop article that stated, “For those who are the primary caregiver for their brother or sister, three-quarters said the role is a full-time job.” The realistic expectation is that 75% of current caregivers believe this to be true and 55% of future caregivers believe it is a full-time job. Being a caregiver may limit your full potential and attention  or make you feel spread too thin at times, but there are services and resources that help you jump those hurdles…Easter Seals is one of them.

We try to help keep families together and take some of that stress off of caregivers. We give you the time to do the simple tasks you need to get done, like laundry, groceries, house cleaning, etc. It is our turn to care for you because you care for others. #SiblingsMatter #Care4Others +Easter Seals Florida Facebook 

#WhatWeDo Wednesday

Sometimes words can't express #WhatWeDo so I decided to show you through imagery. Hope you enjoy the beautiful faces of Easter Seals Florida. 

Dando es como recibimos

It’s better to give than to receive (English). 

Can you image being in another country and you don’t know the language? I must say it was difficult for me to communicate when I was in Hungary four summers ago, and I think the most difficult part was expressing my needs. Have you ever considered how this would feel on a day-to-day base? Sara Osleger does.  

Sara Osleger who is a mother of 3 year old twins and a volunteer at Easter Seals Florida’s Adult Day Break at the Miller Center, gave back to our members by going above and beyond. Upon her volunteering she found the need to break the language barrier between the staff and the clients. Seeing the need, she started a fundraising campaign, which raised the money to purchase four iPads, four iPads cases, and various apps. 

“I might have been the catalyst for this fundraiser but it’s the donors who directly impacted the center and made the difference," said Sara.                                                                

Bert playing a matching game app called Smiley Fruit.

This gave our staff the opportunity to communicate to those who are bilingual. Needless to say this was an amazing gift to our members and to the staff. For over 100 years Easter Seals has had countless volunteers give back to our members and over thousands of volunteer hours logged in. Sara is the definition of volunteerism. Giving back to the community and enriching the lives of others. She said: 

“I try to maintain a balanced life and that is why Easters Seals is a part of it. I’ve always been taught through my family and church how important it is to give back, and there is nothing more gratifying.” 

Whether it be a language barrier, disability, or a special need this could help Easter Seals members feel more involved and listened to because it’s better to give than receive. #VolunTweet  #DoGooder 

Achieving Goals Is What We Do

Orlando City Soccer at Camp Challenge with Kingston the mascot.

Goal!!! The crowd goes wild as Andrew kicks the ball and brushes past Jamie Watson’s legs, two for Easter Seals’ campers and one for the Orlando City Soccer Club. It is a close game but little do the campers know that Jamie has achieved his goals once he saw Andrew crack a smile and yell for joy.

Jamie Watson, a midfielder for Orlando City Soccer Club, became an Easter Seals Florida official spokesperson this past fall. Being a part of the Easter Seals team, he nearly felt at home because he too helped people with disabilities and special needs, more specifically his brother Brett. Brett was born with cerebral palsy and mental and physical delays. Much of Jamie’s life revolved around caring for his older brother and making sure he enjoyed life to the fullest. 

For over the past four weeks Jamie and his soccer team dedicated the same energy to our new accessible soccer clinics at Camp Challenge. I cannot express how thrilled we were and how excited the campers were.  Every Wednesday at 3:00PM is the time that every camper anticipates and every Wednesday at 3:00PM Jamie couldn't wait to put a smile on the campers’ faces.  

 “By becoming a spokesperson for Easter Seals, I am dedicating myself to spend time with these amazing children and adults, and to help however I can.” said Jamie Watson. Not only has Jamie been a great advocate for Easter Seals Florida, but also a wonderful supporter. His goal for this season is to raise $5,000 for us and has raised over $3,000 thus far.

 

We all have goals in life whether it is to kick a ball into the net or to make someone smile. The latter is goal that CAN be achieved every day. You too can help by joining us at Easter Seals Appreciation Day, and help us cheer on Jamie Watson as the Orlando City Lions play the Charlotte Eagles. For every ticket purchased $5 will be donated back to Easter Seals Florida. Now, that’s something we can all smile about. #MakingMovesMonday #VolunTweet

Care Tips for Cerebral Palsy

Caused by injury or abnormal development, Cerebral Palsy refers to a set of conditions involving the brain and nervous system. Cerebral Palsy is known as the most common motor disability affecting children, according to the CDC. Recently, there have been positive findings working in the direction of a potential cure for the condition, but research still has a long way to go.

If you are weathering day-to-day challenges of caring for a loved one with Cerebral Palsy, don’t feel like you’ve been abandoned. Easter Seals offers services that can help your situation. When a loved one is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, the first thing you need is support and guidance. Easter Seals Florida offers many individuals support through Early Intervention and aims to change lives. Contact us today for support. To get you started, we’ve included a list of Cerebral Palsy caregiving tips.

Cerebral Palsy Caregiving Tips:

1.      Keep surfaces in your home clean and clear of potentially dangerous objects

2.      Remember to pad sharp corners for safety

3.      Side rails for the bed and bathroom are helpful

4.      Install seat belts in chairs

5.      Plug electrical outlets and don’t let chords hang low

6.      Join a support group

7.      Seek guidance for coping

8.      Look at, talk to and even sing to your child often

9.      Use multiple forms of communication (talking, hand gestures, writing, smiling)

10.  Create personalized activities to help develop your child’s skills

11.  Stick to rules to help develop routines

12.  Encourage independence when possible

13.  Play time is important for development of intellectual and motor skills

14.  Help your loved one hold and release objects

15.  Seek professional help

Yoga and Yogurt

We all have stress, but the stress experienced by caregivers is often elevated. For example, research has shown that the hormone associated with stress of mothers of children with autism is similar to the level of stress of combat soldiers. Unfortunately, according to researchers, chronic health problems and irregular glucose, immune functionality and mental activity have been associated with these hormone levels. This chronic stress condition is common among all caregivers.

Photo Credit: SomaHealingArts

The up-side is that there are always ideas for combating the stress! Studies have shown that some caregivers experienced highly improved quality of life and less feelings of being burdened when practicing yoga. From the physical benefits of exercise to a fun activity, it is easy to see how yoga would be a great outlet. Though there are no studies proving stress relief effects of yogurt, we recommend you follow up your yoga with yogurt just because it is delicious and good for you!

(Photo Credit: Ingrid Heczko)

Check out this homemade yogurt recipe by Megan O. Steintrager!

A heartwarming letter from Rina's family

Welcome to our kick off of Memories Monday!

It is important to reflect. Memory Mondays give us an opportunity to thank others and refresh ourselves on how we became what we are today. Who can think of a more encouraging way to start the week?

Today we want to thank Maria Arce and Elizabeth Arce-Ocampa. These two lovely ladies took the time to write us a very heart warming thank you note, so we want to thank them in return! They have said it is okay to share their note, so feel free to read it below.

Our mother, Rina, has been going to Easter Seals Day Break for three years and it has been a blessing. She has Alzheimer’s and needs a place that can meet her specific needs. My sister and I are so happy to have found this wonderful place for our mother. When we are at work, our minds are at peace because she is well cared for and safe. We know she loves it there.

The director, Jody Hampton and her staff are amazing. Jody is extremely knowledgeable in the field of care giving. She's comforting, energetic, focused, and efficient. She listens and works with the caregivers, which is very important. She always has time to update us. In addition, the staff members are attentive and dedicated.  

We feel the activities at Easter Seals Day Break have helped to slow down the Alzheimer’s. The staff helps our mother during lunch to make sure she has eaten and helps her with her personal needs. She has the opportunity to exercise, with supervision, on a Geri Walker, which is great for her arthritis. We are always told how she enjoys the quest speakers and how she can participate on her level or just observe. The interaction with others, plus the sights and sounds, keep her mind stimulated. The nurse is another benefit of Easter Seals, she helps with medications so there is less for us to do at home.

Finally, my sister and I are fortunate to have found Easter Seals Day Break. We are still able to keep our mother with us and she continues to enjoy life at her pace and own level.

Thank you,

Maria Arce & Elizabeth Arce-Ocampo

We are so pleased to have made a difference in these lives. They brighten our days too. Thank you for joining us on Memories Monday. Have a lovely week! 

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