Caregiving requires
Listening and a loving touch
Special time together.

Part-time caregiving of family and friends shows up in many forms. Opportunities exist to give care to people in the dying process, people with low vision and hearing loss, people with Alzheimer’s, and people recovering from surgery or injuries.

As a part-time caregiver, remind the care recipient that their physical situation does not diminish their value as a human being. Encourage the person to do whatever makes them feel good and independent, if possible. Laughter is great medicine. Gentle massage soothes those who enjoy touch.

I have helped several care recipients with various degrees of low vision. Some of them want the caregiver to gently hold their elbow and guide them where to walk. A slow, unhurried pace is preferred. If possible, stop at curbs slightly in front of them, so they know where the curb is. Many people with low vision enjoy using a cane. Ask their preference, if they want you to hold their arm or if they want to walk independently, with you there as a safety net…

If the person is housebound and if their vision and physical ability allows, I encourage them to do something they enjoy, such as writing, painting, looking at photographs or scrapbooking. I have found that creative activities increase a sense of well-being and provide a distraction from problems.

Before automatically rushing to help a care recipient, ask first if they want your help. Listen to their needs, not what you think you would like in this situation. Their needs and wishes could be totally opposite from yours.

When helping non-family members to doctors’ appointments, you should always ask the person if they would like you to join them during the doctor visit or if they wish for you to sit outside in the waiting room.

Taking good care of yourself, the caregiver, is also important. Ask someone to relieve you and go walk around the block, do something with a friend, or whatever brings you joy. This will help you feel better and recharge your battery, so you will be have more energy and be in a better mood.

Rewards for the caregiver are immense. It is heart-warming to see a smile on someone’s face as they relay tender stories about their life. Priceless is the feeling of helping someone who needs your assistance. A caregiver lightens the load and provides daily living support. The care recipient feels valued, loved and cherished with the attention provided by a considerate caregiver.

Nancy Dutton is the author of the Book of Animal Poetry, http://www.nancysworld.us.

Excerpts from this article were first printed in the November/December 2010 issue of CAREConnections, Boulder County Aging Services

Brothers in the window

Brothers for Life

Hello Nancy,

I’m about to add a photo!

All media and people are waiting for this unusual flower to bloom and let off its stinky smell.

Here’s a haiku I wrote and submitted online to a Houston newspaper.

Google “corpse flower, Houston” for updates and to watch it online when it blooms.

Corpse flower blooming
beauty for the world to see
revealing secrets

long. I have tried always to comfort you in times of

sorrow, and have made every effort to add joy to your

life.  I never wanted to cause you pain.

Peace for me is certain now, and I suspect I will have

eternal sleep in the Earth I do so well.

Please, after your period of grieving for me, make room

in your heart for another.  You are the kind of human

being that should always have a friend like me to love.

Your kind and gentle heart should not be wasted on my

memory for too long.  Give your love to another.  I know

your new friend will never take my place, because we

had something very special.

It may not be quite the same, but a new devoted and

loving companion will in time, become special in their

own way.

You loved me very much and I love you.  My spirit will

always be with you, and no matter how deep my sleep,

my grateful heart will always remember you.”

-Author unknown-

I have adopted both older cats and young kittens – they all deserve a loving, safe environment.

Please consider adopting an older cat when you visit the shelters.

They make great pets. We adopted two older cats a number of years ago-we reunited a brother and sister! They filled our lives with joy, and we were so grateful to have them.

Many of these older cats will live the rest of their lives at the shelter if someone does not adopt them. Worse yet, some shelters may euthanize them.

Thank you for giving them a chance in your life !

Click on the left side where it says WRITE NOW.  

It’s an article on how to write Pet Haikus. You can have fun with children (and other adults).  Enjoy !

Children can also find great writing tips on DevoKids’ website.

Hoping it will be published in a well-read cat or animal magazine in the near future.

Note: The blog post below is not the article. It is just information from the article.