In America, this is the week most people start preparing for Thanksgiving. Traditions are followed with favorite family foods, visits from friends and family. In the last few decades, more consumerism has crept into this family oriented holiday. As caregivers for family members, we sometimes wonder how much of this tradition we are able to maintain. Do we continue with the enormous fancy meal? Do we prepare a simpler and sometimes healthier version of a family favorite? Will it continue to be the family favorite? Do we include the older family members in the preparations? How do we include the younger family members to become an integral part of this celebration? There are some 40 and 50 year-old people who are eager to visit parents as the parents and grandparents continue to work tirelessly preparing this annual dinner. When do they graduate to assisting with this tradition? As this week of giving thanks emerges, let us thank our loved ones and share with our elders. This includes learning the family secrets and getting your hands into the mix. Some family history might be learned and so much more for continued thanksgiving.
Who Cares
Everyone wants to be loved. No one wants to be hurt. We all strive for acceptance. As adults, it still makes our day when we do or say something that gets approval. Caregiving is a part of that loving, caring, acceptance and approval. My recent participation in the Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s demonstrated that love and acceptance. There were so many people walking for the cause. Some were there because they wanted to show their loved ones they cared. Others were there to offer support for the friends and family who had been affected by Alzheimer’s. I would imagine some walkers were even there because they enjoyed walking. Did I forget to mention those who wanted to be noticed. Whatever the reason, we all benefited. There were walkers wearing t shirts with photos of their loved ones. Walkers were carrying banners, posters, wearing necklaces, singing, running. Some participants were in wheelchairs, strollers, on skates,skateboards. Do our loved ones appreciate we are champions for this cause? Does it make a difference to them? Many people care about Alzheimer’s and are doing their part to make a difference?
Who is Caring for You
I was assisting a friend who is a caregiver. I was amazed at the co-dependency between her and her mother. Neither had very much independence. They both have health issues that may be related to this lifestyle.Are they aware of this situation? Are they willing to discuss it? The most important question is, are they willing to act on it to make their lives more balanced? I suggested activities to free them on occasion from their usual routine. Neither of them were receptive. This isolation can cause anxiety, confusion, stress and even depression. I will continue to offer ideas that may encourage them to take breaks from each other.