Hope for the Caregiver Blog
You Can’t Play A Piano With Clenched Fists
Caregivers and Resentment Resentment seems to be a regular companion for caregivers. Often stemming from a deep-seated belief of obligation, caregivers drive themselves mercilessly with such internal commands such as, “I have to, I must, I’m supposed to, and I need...
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Medically Assisted Death and the Family Caregiver
Medically Assisted Death and the Family Caregiver As more states adopt paths for medically assisted death, family caregivers remain virtually omitted from the conversation and care. The lid of this Pandora’s Box is opening wider as Christians flounder in sharing a...
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There Used To Be M & M’s
For as long as I can remember, when my father came home from reserve duty in the military, he brought each of my brothers and my sister a pack of M & M’s. Stretching past his military service as a chaplain, he and my mother extended the treats to when...
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The Orientation and Disorientation of Caregivers
The Orientation and Disorientation of Caregivers Walking into Waffle House for breakfast, I held the door for two men. The younger man awkwardly helped his older companion with a walker and oxygen tank. No stranger to these things myself, I waited for...
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A Deeper Consolation
Yet Another Consolation Opportunity As the news of yet another mass shooting confronted America following the tragedy in Pittsburgh, the frequency of these events may have created an ancillary effect. Where Americans once put our hands over our mouth in horror, an...
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Joni, Gracie, and S.693
Joni Eareckson Tada and Gracie Rosenberger Discuss Senate Bill 693 (S.693) From HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER 10/30/2018 MUSIC INTRO (Gracie and Joni performing Through It All) If I’d never had a problem, I would not know Jesus could solve them. I’d...
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Healthy Caregivers Can Speak Life
Choosing Life The state of Hawaii recently passed the Our Care, Our Choice Act, which legalizes “medically assisted death.” For those wanting to end their life, the act requires two witnesses attesting to their desire for death. In addition, two doctors must agree the...
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Caregivers Attending Church
“When we try to attend Church, it seems something ALWAYS goes wrong!” When caring for someone with dementia, isolation develops as an increasing challenge for family caregivers. Many caregivers feel cut off from places of comfort and community, such as attending...
read more10 Tips To Help Dementia Patients With Meals
The challenges of dementia don't simply stop at forgetfulness. Virtually every area of a dementia patient's life feels the impact of this heartbreaking condition—including meals. Once serving as a time of fellowship, dementia can turn mealtimes into flash...
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If the Machine is Broken, Protect Your Treasure!
Why Continue Putting Coins In A Broken Soda Machine? At a support group I regularly attend, a soda machine dispensing perfectly chilled drinks hums quietly against the wall. While seemingly a small thing, I enjoy the meetings with...
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How Can You Laugh at A Time Like This?!
Our life as caregivers can be filled with grim and painful things, and those circumstances can transfer us into grim people. Thirty years as a caregiver has taught me the importance of humor and laughter. Furthermore, I found it helpful to...
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Did a Caregiver for the Florida Shooter Call the Police 39 Times?
Red Flags Revealed In the wake of the newest mass shooting evidence reveals that police were called to the home of the Florida shooter more than 3 dozen times. "Cruz was adopted. His adoptive mother, Lynda Cruz, died in November of pneumonia. Kathie Blaine, a cousin...
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The Impact of The Opioid Crisis on Caregivers
The Overlooked Demographic in the Opioid Crisis In a recent op-ed, I drew attention to the one demographic that remains absent from the opioid crisis discussion: caregivers. Politicians, pharmaceutical companies, physicians, patients, attorneys, and law...
read moreDementia, Caregiving, and Christmas
A PLAN FOR CHRISTMAS Although many families feel stress during Christmas, caregivers of loved ones with dementia often feel increased heartache and tension. Due to that added anxiety many feel, dementia-care specialist Tracey Maxfield called the show to offer much...
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Caregiving Can Result In Identity Theft
Caregivers Rediscovering Their Identity A friend’s wife suffered through a rough couple of years with cancer, and he served as her sole caregiver. Meeting up with him one day, I asked, “How are you doing?” He quickly replied, “Well, we’re doing okay. She...
read moreWho is Going to Take Care of Me When I’m Old?
A Conversation With Joy Loverde Joy Loverde is a leading consultant in the senior industry and a trusted advisor in aging and eldercare-related issues. The author of The Complete Eldercare Planner, Joy's work has been featured on Today, the CBS Early Show,...
read moreA Healthcare Plan Thousands of Years in the Making
Healthcare Savings And So Much More! In January 2017. I joined Medi-Share. Medi-Share is a healthcare sharing ministry where members share each other's medical expenses. In addition, members of Medi-Share have a God-honoring choice for their healthcare...
read moreI Should Have Put ME On The Calendar
Kathi Koll's Life-Changing Phone Call In 2005, Kathi Koll got THE phone call. Her husband phoned her to tell her he didn't feel well. In addition, people at Don's work mentioned his words were slurring. Kathi rushed to the hospital to meet him. Stating...
read moreThe Challenge of Senior Fraud and Scams
More than $3 Billion in scams and frauds against seniors are reported each year. Since many go unreported, the actual costs is considerably higher. AARP NC volunteer, Helen Mack called the show to discuss this significant problem and the FREE ways AARP is helping....
read moreMy Dad Won’t Stop Driving And It’s Driving Me Crazy!
A caller, James, recently lamented about his father who, following a stroke, still insists he should drive. "He just got home from the hospital. He can barely walk. He's using a walker," James shared. Furthermore, he added, "He immediately states, I'm...
read more“I’ll Push You!” Two friends. One Wheelchair. 500 Miles.
I'll Push You I’ll Push You is an up-close and personal look into the dynamics of a life-long friendship between two best friends – Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray – as they travel across El Camino de Santiago. Their documentary covers the struggle of the...
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