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WellMed Charitable Foundation 

Better Choices, Better Health

Take Time Texas  

Perhaps it's because I'm thinking of summer holidays, picnics, freedom and sunshine that I'm feeling pretty thankful. One book that ranks people's moods lists "gratitude" as the highest of all moods. The author, Larry Senn, states, "There is a calmness and warmth that comes with gratitude that overrides sadness, impatience, irritation and anger."

The real reason that I'm feeling thankful today is that I am a caregiver.

Being a caregiver means that people in my family have lived long enough that I have the privilege of doing something for them to repay the many things they have done for me. They sat at the foot of my bed when I was little so that I could fall asleep without spiders, snakes, or monsters getting me. They gave me great advice that I now hear myself repeating to my son. They gave me birthday gifts, Christmas presents, graduation gifts and a little gas money along the way to send me off into the world.  

They told me the things I did were wonderful, important, and special. They made a difference in my life.

Last week, I picked up some barbeque at the airport to take home to my parents. When I told the guy behind the counter what I was doing, he shook his head and told me that he wished he could take dinner to his parents. They hadn't lived to be very old and he'd love the opportunity to take them dinner one more time.

Living as a grateful caregiver helps me to see my loved ones underneath the illness. It helps me to bring energy to my caregiving tasks that comes from a positive place. It actually brings me into the current moment, the now, rather than looking at how long the road might be ahead of me.

Staying positive and thankful doesn't always come naturally. Sometimes we really have to focus on positive thoughts very deliberately before we can internalize them, and they come more naturally. That's okay. It can take practice. We may have to practice being thankful for many things in our lives, looking at the bigger picture of all of our blessings. I am always humbled when I count all of the good that has come my way.

Caregiving isn't always about giving back, but it can be. It can even be for people who didn't do well by us. We're going to do better for them than they were able to do for us, because we've grown enough that we can choose to walk a different path.

So this month, I'm practicing  

and feeling an attitude of gratitude. It starts at the top of my head where I tell myself to notice all of the positives in my life. It goes to my heart where  

I feel truly thankful. And it stretches out into my mouth, hands, and feet where I walk the walk and talk the talk.  

I'm a caregiver, and I'm so thankful to be here with my loved ones at this time in this place.

Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness-whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with a patient's other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.

July 6--"When Do I Need A Care Manager?" with Spencer Brown, Accountable Aging Care Management.  

July 13--"Living in the Land of Limbo: Short Stories and Poetry of Caregivers" with Carol Levine, United Hospital Fund. 

July 20--"Elder Abuse Warning Signs For Physicians" with Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhoff, Behavioral Health Medical Director, Optum 

July 27--TBA

Promoting Self Care  

Is As Easy As Leading By Example

Be Prepared: Make Your Wishes Known!

Jamie Huysman,  PsyD, LCSW, CAP, CFT*  

I find that there is one crucial healthcare question that still makes caregivers cringe; one very simple question that can make all the difference, particularly in a crisis situation.

That question is "Do you or does your loved one have an Advance Directive?" 

An Advance Directive gives specific instructions to your medical team and family about your desired level of care in the event that you are not able to speak for yourself. Read more.

 

From Total Brain Health  

Can Nuts Keep Your Brain Healthy? Sara Skutch,  

Nuts are an invaluable food for brain health because they contain essential fatty acids and support cardiovascular health, which has been highly correlated with better brain function.

From Newsweek, 6/19/14