If you are a family caregiver experiencing stress and guilt, overwhelm and exhaustion, then maybe it’s time to give your health and well-being a boost.
Attention Parkinson’s Family Caregivers:
How to Take Care of Yourself –
September is Healthy Aging Month
Family Caregivers, especially those of us taking care of loved ones with Parkinson’s, face big challenges. During September, Healthy Aging Month, Parkinson’s and other family caregivers can break through the stress, guilt, anger, and overwhelm by taking a little time out for yourselves.
I know the symptoms because I have been living them as family caregiver for my 95 year old mother and my husband who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003. In 2009, about a year ago, I had to put my husband into a convalescent home because I could no longer care for him alone.
My name is Betty Smith, and I am committed to helping you, all Family Caregivers, especially those with loved ones with Parkinson’s, to take care of yourselves so you’ll be there to care for your loved ones.
Do any of the following sound like what you are experiencing?
– You are so so so tired. And when you’re tired, a nasty, mean-spirited voice comes out of your mouth.
– You are bearing the family caregiving burden almost single-handedly, and it all adds up to just be overwhelming.
– Your stress levels are off the charts.
– You’re frustrated by yourself, your loved one, the system and institutions you have to deal with day in and day out.
– You’re angry. It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this.
– You’re starting to have health issues yourself, and your short term memory is shot.
– You’re doing all you can, and you still feel guilty that you can’t seem to do anything more that will really help your loved one in decline.
The toxic feelings that come up when family caregivers keep on giving and giving without taking care of themselves can lead to all kinds of problems. Maybe it’s time for a little time out for the caregiver… If this is you, read on.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
–Albert Einstein
What if you could step out of the stress, overwhelm, anger, and guilt for awhile? What if you were able to step into a space where you could breathe freely? Where you could gain some perspective on the whole situation? Where you could take care of yourself?
In honor of Healthy Aging Month, I have put together a free introductory conference call focusing on Health and Well-Being for Parkinson’s Family Caregivers. This no-charge hour-long conference call is free except for any long distance charges you may incur. To sign up for this free call, please put your name and email into the box at the bottom of this page.
Free Call for Caregivers — To Increase Your Health and Well-Being
*WHO: Parkinson’s and other Family Caregivers
*WHAT: Free Telephone conference call (long distance charges may apply)
*WHEN: Saturday September 18, 2010 at 9AM Pacific time
*WHERE: By phone. Sign up below to receive the call-in details
I promise you an hour filled with ideas, stories, community, and useful insights to help you as caregiver take care of your own health to face the challenges of being a family caregiver.
This conference call will also introduce you to an upcoming 6-session (paid) class for family caregivers, The Final Frontier in Health and Well-Being, to be offered over the telephone over six coming Saturday mornings.
Yes, Betty! I want more Health and Well-Being, and I am a Family Caregiver!