Stressed out caregivers... stressed out clients... stressed out families!   We all have to deal with stress in our world, but caring for (and being!) an elder loved one can add new tensions in our day.  But there is a lot we can do about addressing our stress levels, including using powerful minds to create greater easy and relaxation. And it can be done in just a moment!

Though a long weekend at a retreat sounds like it would be required to bring our stress down a notch or three, actually our minds are so powerful that we can make a real difference in our lives by practicing brief moments of very simple meditation.  Studies have shown that momentary relaxation techniques practiced regularly can impact not just our sense of stress, but our physiologic functioning as well. Now, that's powerful stuff!

Below is a sweet little video about one such brief meditation technique. Teach not just to yourself, but to your elder loved ones -- and practice it with them.  A stressful moment is a wonderful time to pause and say, "Hey, let's both take a minute to relax and meditate." Bet things seems different when you come back to whatever it is that's been stressing you!  (Please let us know in comments how this works for you....)

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Hurricane

Hurricane Earl's will keep us guessing for another 24/48 hours about when and where landfall will occur. But Friday is a possibility, and it's also possible that we are right in its track. Or not!

I spent 10 years with the Concord, MA Emergency Management Agency as a leader in preparedness planning and training for citizens as service to my community. Luckily, I'm able to bring that experience to Caring Companion.  Believe me – it’s far better we think these things through now than

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For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Our caregivers are often the main shoppers for our clients. As such, we fill a very important role in their lives through maintaining their supplies. In many instances both daily and occasional home "operations" cannot go forward without necessary supplies.  If you look at the rhyme above, you'll see how this is no minor thing. And since we are so often working the with frail, it doesn't take very much of a missing nail to truly negatively impact the client.

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Hats off, and many thanks, to Toby Conway of Minuteman Senior Services in Burlington, MA, for an excellent discussion on elder abuse and neglect last night. We had previously encountered Toby through her work as a case manager with one of our clients and her passion for this work always shines through, as it did last night.

As one would expect, Toby recapped the signs of physical or emotional abuse (unexplained bruises, withdrawal, implausible stories, etc) and the resources (contact CCC or Minuteman for questions). But I thought one of the most interesting points to emerge during the discussion the importance of caregivers being able to recognize when they are becoming overwhelmed, and their own need for care.

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