🕙 🎨 ✨ Creative Caregiving - One Task at a Time ✨ 💭 🕝
Greetings ,
Creativity and Caregiving? You might think that daily meds list and staying on top of the myriad mundane tasks is as far from a creative process as one can get. At the Caregiver Space, some of us have another take on this.
Consider the sheer expressive force involved in a creative task.. one that opens up a new way of doing, or tints the room a shade of love or warmth. Consider the satisfaction of your favorite music, or the inner motion you feel when you look at that one special painting. We know there's creativity in the simplest of places: like the photographs and other creations all about your refrigerator:
The week began with a few fun ideas for getting the wheelchair out and about. And our featured writer, Bob Harrison, picks up where he left off in December, examining grief and loneliness. And perhaps a clinical trial is a creative option for solving part of the caregiving puzzle. Each of these from the stream of articles on our site, (Go ahead, click the links above, or the highlights from the which follow below to start exploring anew.)
To ensure we are reaching you where YOU are follow us on Facebook where we also post our article stream, and a number of select forwards from the intersection of social media and care giving worlds.
There's also our Instagram stream: filled with #caregiver #mottos & meditations. Check out the "Care Cards" posted there: designed to speak your mind, focus your feelings, and inspire your daily work. This can be a place for you when you don't have but a moment to get charged and back to the task list.
Now, time for your own expression. You can ease into writing, by posting on any of our set Forums, or reply to one of your fellow caregiver's stories and posts. This month we offer some simple questions to get your creative juices flowing. Make a poem in the answer to those questions. Go ahead, connect with your fellow caregivers, and share the wealth of your experiences.
This week we encourage your to infuse your caregiving with creativity, and let us know what happens!
In the spirit of caregiving,,
Paul Nocera
Director, Community Engagement
Paul@theCaregiverSpace.org
Activities for a loved one in a wheelchair
Two years ago my husband’s aorta dissected, and John had three emergency operations. During the last one he suffered a spinal stroke that paralyzed his legs. Dedicated therapists taught him to stand, stand and pivot, take a step, and go a short distance with the aid of a walker. After eight months of hospitalization, John was dismissed to my care. Today, with a walker, he can walk the width of our townhome—a true miracle.
Post on January 26, 2016 by Harriet Hodgson
On 28 December 2015 I posted Grief: a silent killer. In the article I discussed caregiving, grief, stress and the role they play in our long term well being. After reading over one hundred-fifty comments to the blog on the Caregiver Space Facebook page, I saw an alarming issue that I failed to address, and it’s a key ingredient to the others when caregiving, grieving, or after the grief.
Post on January 30, 2016 by Bob Harrison
Want into a clinical trial?
Read this first.
Today, I’ll explain how you can find clinical trials of drugs that could treat your condition – but access isn’t a sure thing. The trial could take a year or more of your time. And more often than not, the experimental drug doesn’t work.
Post on February 1, 2016 by Kaiser Health News
Ready to share your caregiving story?
Some of our authors are experts because they have degrees, certifications, and professional experience. Others are experts through lived experience. Many have both. We’re interested in honest stories with strong voices.
This is an inclusive space. We welcome all viewpoints and share stories that reflect a wide variety of opinions and beliefs. We each share our personal story without tearing down others. Your voice is welcome here.
Reposted from TheCaregiverSpace on October 19, 2015 by Cori Carl
Need to talk? Click on...
Visit the forums!
Click the link below, and join the writers' forum.
February's Focus is...
One way caregivers can spark introspection, is by answering simple questions.
Answer these questions as your “reply” or comment below… but don’t repeat the question.
The result, your answers, create a personal poem…
To the Caregivers Who Try to Be Strong Enough for the Both of Us
Halfway through my sophomore year of college, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I spent that spring and summer in doctors’ offices and hospitals and bed. My family and friends spent that spring and summer right by my side. For months, I was unable to walk on my own; I lost parts of my vision; I couldn’t sleep or keep food down; I was angry and was depressed. My family was strong and resilient. So one night, in a hospital bed a week into my longest and most trying stay, I wrote them this letter.
By Victoria Venable, published. on Jan 29, 2016