Yup, that’s exactly how you feel. Forget sucking it up! Try some real tips and tools based in lived experience so you stop feeling like a burnt-out triple-decker grilled cheese sandwich. Your courageous advocate Carol-Ann says it like it is. And that’s no bologna!
Here we are into the second half of the COMPLETE SUPPORT Manifesto for Caregivers. Under the COMPLETE acronym, we’ve so far tackled: Caring; Openness; Maturity; Partnership; Loyalty; Excellence; Tribe; and Exacting.
Under the SUPPORT banner, we’re now forging into: Sustainability; Uncompromising (standards); Professionalism; Presence; Organized; Respect; and Truth. Today, we start with Sustainability – which refers to staying the course and following through for the long haul.Read More
Interestingly, this post is being written on Labor Day. Historically, the first Monday in September is a creation of the labor movement devoted to the strong social and economic achievements of American (and international) workers.
Toward that end,Read More
Let’s start this week’s post by recapping where we’re at in the COMPLETE SUPPORT “Manifesto” I believe all caregivers of aging parents are entitled to.
We’ve already covered from the COMPLETE acronym the qualities of: Caring; Openness; Maturity; Partnership; Loyalty; Excellence. We’re dealing today with “T” standing for Tribe. Next week we’ll address Exacting – as in, demonstrating impeccable standards of precision.Read More
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say: ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well’.”
Who do you think said this? If you guessedRead More
Our last couple of blogs have focused on “The Mixed Bag of Family Summers” and “How to Survive Extended Family Vacations”. The first addresses the underlying emotional dynamics that render summer holidays spent with aging parents so crazy-making. The second offers practical coping strategies – whether they’re staying with you, you with them or traveling together to a third location.Read More
As promised, I’m here today to serve the action-oriented folks amongst you with practical strategies to survive the summer season with aging parents and/or other relatives. Last time, we focused a lot on the underlying feelings that get triggered when you spend more days or even hours together. Make that too much for many of you!Read More
OK, I admit it. Even I didn’t have the guts to take on sacred Mother’s Day or celebratory Father’s Day when they were upon us a while ago. It seems the hue and outcry too quickly becomes enraged if you don’t worship Mom or respect Dad.
For those who genuinely do, consider yourself lucky. You’re in the minority amongst my circles. My heart personally goes out to those whose parental relationship is at best checkered.
Please understand,Read More
Ironically but totally in keeping with today’s theme, I received a desperate outreach last week begging for insight on how to navigate Un-cope-able Medical Systems. Good luck!
The family doctor is not supporting a diagnosisRead More
Allow me to start with a quote from leadership expert, John C. Maxwell: “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.”
Provocative, eh? How many people would look upon their greatest day in this fashion? I know I didn’t when a corporate facilitator suggested the same notion almost 20 years ago. Yes to a wedding or birth or other happy occasion. Not so much for developing true personal accountability, right? Prepare to be challenged.Read More
So, are you ready to venture into the next letter of the COMPLETE SUPPORT Manifesto of Caregiver Rights to denote the treatment you deserve? It’s ‘O’ for Openness. Believe me, that question was never more relevant than this week.
Alone, three friends had dealings with doctors and hospitals whereby two are about to enter the ultra-complex labyrinth called Canada’s Healthcare Model. Did I just say that out loud? Yes. I shall be tracking their experiences with hawk-like vigilance to witness how much Openness they encounter from professionals supposedly there to strengthen them.Read More
