Caregiver Speaker Elaine K. Sanchez, http://www.ElaineKSanchez.com, speaks about the importance of caring for the caregiver. In this segment, from a presentation at Partners in Care in Bend, Oregon, she talks about the importance of caregivers setting aside some time each day to do something they enjoy. This is a true story from her book, Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver. As a caregiver, it is critically important to have something to look forward to on a regular basis. It may be that you enjoy reading, listening to music, working in a garden, exercising, or watching a special television program. The type of activity doesn't matter. What does matter is that you have some time you can claim as your own. It is also important that your care receiver understands that this is your time and you do not want to be disturbed.
Setting aside time for yourself is important, as it also helps sets some boundaries. Aging, chronically ill, or disabled people can become self-centered and extremely demanding. They can sometimes use their weakness or illness as a way to control their caregiver's behavior. Caregiver guilt can turn into a vicious cycle of anger, guilt, and depression. Maintaining a healthy sense of self and taking care of your own needs is not selfish. Having a little private time reduces emotional stress. And when you reduce caregiver stress, you are better able to maintain your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual strength. Feeling well physically and emotionally will help you provide care for an aged, chronically ill or disabled person.
Elaine's caregiver keynotes and caregiver workshops are based on stories of her mother, Madelyn Kubin, a Kansas farm woman who had very poor health, and very little money when her husband suffered a debilitating stroke. One of the ways Madelyn survived her six-year caregiving experience was to write letters to Elaine. Tender, honest, and uproariously funny, Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver, tells a story of faith, courage, and humor and proves that there is still an opportunity for mental and spiritual growth even in the very worst end-of-life situations.
Elaine's Caregiver Survival Workshop is also based on true stories in Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver. While difficult at times, providing caregiving services can be intensely rewarding. The need for this caregiving may arise from accidents, injuries, or illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, strokes, other forms of dementia, and from the natural progression of aging. In her caregiving workshops and through her audio CD programs and caregiver DVD's you will learn how to manage caregiver stress by developing an attitude of "Creative Indifference" toward anger, guilt, depression, and grief. She also walks participants through the process of developing their own personalized survival plan.
Anyone who has cared for elderly, disabled, or chronically ill individuals for any length of time can tell you that the experience can be extremely stressful and wearing on the caregiver.
Elaine's passion is helping people manage this caregiving stress. In her caregiving keynotes and workshops and through her audio programs and DVD's the emphasis is on caring for the caregiver as they go through the various stages of caring for those who can no longer care for themselves. Whether you are planning ahead for your own aging process, taking care of loved ones, or if you are a professional caregiver, these resources will help to show you that caregiving can be done with dignity, grace, and humor.
Elaine offers secular and faith-based keynotes and workshops on caregiving. She frequently delivers keynote speeches and workshops at family caregiver conferences and gerontology conferences. She does work for the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Alzheimer's Association, Area Agencies on Aging, community colleges, memory care facilities, long-term care facilities, Hospice organizations, as well as churches and other faith-based organizations.
To book Elaine as a speaker for your event email her at Elaine@EKSanchez.com, or call 503-949-2464. For more caregiving resources, free articles, and to rent or purchase her caregiver videos, visit her website at http://wwwElaineKSanchez.com
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Coping with Caregiver Depressionby ElaineKSanchez990 views
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