Caregiving May 1

You have probably been waiting with baited breath for the next caregiver newsletter. I apologize for being a week late. I have struggled with a bad cold for ten days and am way behind in everything. Thanks for your patience and understanding. I’m also going to ask for your understanding as I maneuver my way through the struggles of figuring out how to go to college again. I am also looking at certification programs rather than degrees. I probably don’t have enough time for a degree, taking a couple of classes each semester. I do have my admission paperwork in at Concordia College and am checking out online classes. Now, if you can stop laughing at my interjection, we will continue. It is always good for the body to laugh. Anyway, I’m sure you will understand that I am going to cut this newsletter back to once a month to give me more time for my studies. Thank you for your support.

I’m sorry I’m a little long today. My computer is like a comedian’s microphone. Forgive the Norwegian.

Well, friends, more excitement is coming my way. I was selected by the Lutheran Social Services Minnesota Caregiver group to attend the National Caregiver Conference in Washington, DC, in June, with all expenses paid. This is indeed a privilege, and I’m honored to attend. I have worked with the LSS caregiver group since Covid hit. The only problem for this trip is that because I have put off getting an enhanced driver’s license since I had no feelings of traveling anymore, I had to solve it quickly. I was able to get it done a week ago when I went to the DMV. First, I spent an hour waiting only to be told they would not accept my original birth certificate. There was a glaze they used to protect them back in the 50s. I had to go get a new one at the county office, which cost $26, and then waited another hour and a half to get it done. My fault, I kept putting it off. I do feel God is very active in my life. I have been blessed so many times. I’m praying for no more colds for a while. I guess maybe He wanted me to slow down and take it easy for a week. I did!

I hope that you will find something valuable in this newsletter. Remember to ask me for articles on certain topics or check out the different websites that I share to seek additional information. All except Agingcare still allow me to share. I usually take at least one of the articles that are shared with me, and occasionally search their sites when focused on a certain topic.

The websites are: DailyCare, Minding Our Elders, AgingCare, VerywellMind, HIA Health (Hospice), and CaregiverConnection.

Stress test. In one of my last years in AZ before 2020, there was a one-day course offered on caregiver stress. I took the class and found it really very interesting and helpful. I recently found it and would like to share it with those who may be interested. I CANNOT attach it, so I would have to send it to you. I tried to find a way to attach it but it is too big. If you are interested, I would be glad to send it to you. I think many of you will be pleased.

Website Links: The following are from the AgingCare.com website. Again, you will have to go to this website to locate these articles. Copy and paste. Your exploring may guide you to other articles that interest you. Please share your findings. I have not had any problems with these links as far as scams may go. Please let me know if you ever encounter one from the information that I send you. Never click on anything you are unsure of. Today, I received an invitation to a punchbowl party form Luann’s cousin. First, I don’t talk to them regularly, and so I had a bad feeling. I deleted it, and soon after I received another email from the same person saying it was a scam.

Father is resistant to completing important documents or giving copies to anyone.

Caught in the “Fix-it Trap” While Caregiving? You May Be Heading for Burnout.

How Caring for a Spouse Can Strengthen Your Bond – AgingCare.com

I am the caregiver for my spouse. I have become resentful. How do I handle this?

What can you do when a loved one won’t exercise?

From Del: This is important for all of us to remember as we age. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscles won’t work as well as they do as you get older. Then it gets too hard to exercise, so you give up. As we age, get injured, or have surgery, we can see the benefits of doing exercises to regain our strength. Please, first get suggestions from a physical therapist or doctor. With Luann, she was a fighter. She wanted to maintain what she was able to do for as long as possible. I was very proud of her and how long she was able to continue to enjoy life. Obviously, exercise prolonged her life for at least another decade (and having a good coach, although she would never admit that). Eventually, she could no longer ride a stationary bike and other exercises. We adapted the exercise to just sit and stand and back down. Finally, it got down to just finger and arm exercises. The only bad part was that she didn’t want to exercise with me, as I was too encouraging (pushing her to do one more). Her evil eye came out. I noticed she was making mistakes in the bike exercise by not doing a cool down. I didn’t want her to cause problems for herself. She went to the high point of endurance, but did not work her way back down to cool muscles. That’s why you need guidance from a professional. She usually went with her aide. I had to let go, knowing that it was too difficult for her, and I was pushing too much. We made an agreement that she would tell me when she couldn’t do certain exercises, and I would support her. She did. When she had a therapist, I had to remind them not to push her too much. The therapists and I must have gone to the same school.

You can click on this one. Don’t ask me how, but you should be able to click on it:

8 Truths of Dementia Caregiving – AgingCare.com

I welcome your feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. You can reach me at the email address below.

I hope you find something helpful.

Del Larson,