A Note From Carol
Happy Spring! This is an exciting time for Minding Our
Elders. We're gathering new readers by leaps and
bounds. New resources are popping up all over the
place - which I'll keep passing on to you. And - a first -
Minding Our Elders' Web page and blog are both
accepting carefully screened advertising from facilities
and services around the country.
I've been inundated with requests to add links to the
sites, and that becomes confusing and can "junk up"
the sites, making them harder to navigate and read.
I like to help agencies, but I had to make a decision,
quickly, about how to handle this influx. Reasonably
priced, screened ads, that also offer information to
readers, seemed to be the way to go. This will keep
things under control, and still keep the information
coming. The price of the ads is so reasonable that
anyone who is serious about getting the word out can
afford it, but this should keep out people who are just
trolling for a place to park their site.
I?ll continue to provide you with articles I've written, and
articles by contributing writers. If subscribers wish to
contribute, please contact me and we'll chat. Also, if
you can, take some time to listen to the teleseminar
on the blog site. My section is free for now. The
complete teleseminar, with many big names in elder
care, will be ready soon.
This month I?m featuring an article by Phyllis Slater,
the "elder care concierge." Phyllis offers consultation
with caregivers, by email, gift baskets for caregivers
and has books available. She also plans retreats for
caregivers. Please read about her and her site.
This month, too, I'm highlighting one of the most
effective agencies I know of - the National Alzheimer's
Association. Please check out the site. It is helpful for
all kinds of dementia and offers a ton of support.
This ezine, my Web site, my blog and my book have
all been created to support caregivers and seniors. A
sick or broken caregiver can?t help anyone. Let me
know what I can do to help you.
Take care of yourself,
Carol
Quick Links...
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Hello!
Caregiving expert Carol Bradley Bursack, Author,
speaker and columnist presents a collection of
articles, stories, news and research for you to
browse. Please check the blog and Web site links for
more information and feel free to email Carol at
carol@mindingourelders.com to chat or ask
questions. Thanks for reading.
.
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The Eldercare Locator: Caring from a Distance
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Gone are the days when three generations ? or more ?
routinely lived their lives in the same location. We are
mobile. Many jobs move employees often. A sunnier
climate seduces some young adults, who then never
return to live in the old home town.
As long as the elders are spry, can travel and can keep
in touch by phone, it works. But, for many, there comes
a time when the elder become frail. The tables are
turned, and the adult children begin to worry about the
welfare of their parents. What if they fall? Are they
getting to the doctor for appointments? Is Dad?s
diabetes being managed?
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Solution Facilitating and Concierge Services for Caregivers
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Here's Phyllis Slater's story. I met Phyllis on the
Internet, as is the case so often these days. She has
some unique ideas and an interesting story to tell that
illustrates how people are able to use her services.
Read on.
The story begins with a baby boomer that is
overwhelmed. In the year since her Dad passed away,
Maggie has become her mother's caregiver. It is hard
enough planning for her husband's retirement and
downsizing the home, the stress is taking a toll on her.
Each day on her lunch hour, Maggie calls to make sure
Mom is taking the medications. Maggie's daughter
requires her help watching the grandchildren on
weekends. Maggie came home after work, closed the
bedroom door and cried. There must be an answer.
She can't keep this up forever.
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Putting Your Foot Down, With Compassion
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As a columnist, I get many questions about people
feeling alone. They wonder if they are the only people
dealing with an issue. Nearly always, I can cite
examples ? often from my own life ? to help them
realize they are part of a fellowship. That, to me, is the
inherent value of storytelling, of sharing our lives with
people who are in similar situations.
Sharing our stories doesn?t change the person?s
circumstances, but it lightens their load. They
remember they have companions as they journey
onward. One woman touched me deeply with the
following letter:
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Resources for Caregivers
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The MetLife Mature Market Institute and the National
Alliance for Caregiving, in cooperation with the National
Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4A), have
released a publication aimed at making life a little
easier for the legions of Americans caring for a sick or
disabled friend or relative.
The 38-page booklet, Resources for Caregivers 2007,
can be downloaded by clicking the link below and
going to "What's New."
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Featured Organization
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Each month I will spotlight a business, organization or
Web site that I think readers will find interesting. This
month, I want to tell you about the National Alzheimer's
Association.
The National Alzheimer's Association Web site is
packed with information, news, research, answers and
compassionate help.
You can click on what interests you the most and go
from there. The site is clean and easy to navigate. I'm
sampling the site for you by including their secion that
begins "If you have Alzheimer's."
"If you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
or a related disorder, or if you are experiencing
changes in your memory, this section is for you.
The first thing you should know is that you are not
alone. There is a lot of help and support available.
"In this section, you will find tips and resources to
increase your comfort, allow you to remain active, and
help you cope. But more important, we hope you will
find the inspiration to make your years ahead the best
that they can be."
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