caregiver agenda - ranq · can relieve you, so you can get out, to walk in the woods, to attend...
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CAREGIVER AGENDA
‘To help when needed’
906 Mooney St. WestThetford Mines (Qc)
G6G 6H2Tel: 418 332-3851
1 877 [email protected]
FIRE • POLICE • AMBULANCE ............................................. 911Info-santé ........................................................................... 811Community services .......................................................... 211
CLSCThetford Region ..................................................... (418) 338-3511L’Érable Region ...................................................... (819) 362-6301Arthabaska................................................................819) 758-7281Grand Littoral Region.............................................. (418) 728-3435
HospitalThetford Mines....................................................... .(418) 338-7777Arthabaska.............................................................. (819) 357-2030Hotel-Dieu de Lévis ................................................. (418) 835-7121
COOP Services Appalaches ............................................................. (418) 334-0852Érable...................................................................... (819) 621-3030Lotbinière ............................................................... (418) 728-4881
Volunteer services MCDC Volunteer services for medical appointments, respite, and interpreter services .......................................... (418) 332-3851
Association action Volontaire Amiante ................... (418) 334-0111Centre d’action bénévole de l’Érable ....................... (819) 362-6896Carrefour des personnes aînées de Lotbinière ......... (418) 728-4825
Alzheimer society...................................................... 800-616-8816Canadian Cancer Society ........................................... 800-321-1433Canadian Medic Alert ................................................ 800-668-1507Diabetes Quebec ....................................................... 800-361-3504Lupus Canada............................................................ 800-661-1468Multiple Sclerosis Society.......................................... 800-565-3000Parkinson Foundation ............................................... 800-565-3000Quebec Cancer Foundation ....................................... 800-363-0063
Are you a Caregiver?
Do you take care of a loved one?Do you provide assistance to aging parents?
Do you look after a sick child?
If you have answered yes to any of thesequestions, YOU ARE A CAREGIVER and we
can help. We can provide support, trainingand information in English. Occasionally,and depending on your situation, we can
also provide respite care to help you cope.
Call us today, in total confidentiality!
418-332-3851 or 1-877-332-3851
“Caregivers need care too
.”
J A N U A R Y
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``Special People``By Phyllis Porter Dollislager
I think there will be a special place in heaven for caregivers.
You who have loaded wheelchairs into cars and vansOr cut up food and gently placed it into your mate’s mouth,
Or emptied bladder bags or positioned sleep machines.There must be a special place for you.
Have you stood in line to buy take-outOr stopped for groceries on your way home from work?
There’s a special place in our hearts for you.
Have you held the hand of your ill, loved one and reminded them
Of why you chose to marry him/her in the �rst place?And then added the reasons why you’d do it all over again?
There’s a special reward in heaven for you.
You may think that no one knows and no ones cares orUnderstands, but you’re wrong my friend.
This week hold your head a little higherAnd place a smile on your face.
For someone sees your acts of kindnessHe cares and he remembers
F E B R U A R Y
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Don’t QuitBy anonymous
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have no sigh,When care is pressing you down a bit,Rest! If you must; but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twist and turns,As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns aboutWhen he might have won had he stuck it out;Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggle has given upWhen he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out;The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the �ght when you’re hardest hit;It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.
Source: www.innertalk.com
M A R C H
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Eighteen Ways To Care for Caregivers
• Laugh about something everyday. • Take care of yourself physically. • Eat a well-balanced diet. • Talk with someone every day. • Let family and friends help. Give them printed material on
memory disorders so they can better understand your relative. Give them a chance.
• Give yourself permission to have a good cry. Tears aren't a weakness, they reduce tension.
• Exercise. A brisk walk counts. • Get adequate rest. • Try a bowl of Cheerios and milk before bed to promote sleep. • Avoid noisy and/or tension-filled movies at night. The late
news itself can add to stress. Skip it.• Reduce daily caffeine intake. • Get professional help if you feel your support system isn't
adequate or if you feel overwhelmed. • Take a break very day, even if it's only 10 minutes alone in
the backyard. • Explore community resources and connect yourself with
them. • Listen to music. • Learn relaxation techniques. • Regularly attend one or more support groups and education
workshops. • Give yourself a treat at least once a month: an ice cream
cone....a new shirt or dress....a night out with friends....a �owering plant.
Copyright © caregiver.com, Inc. 1995 - 2010. All rights reserved
A P R I L
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I Remember YouBy Sandra Hedges
Looking into your eyes I can sense that you are slowly leaving me.
When I look into your eyes here is what I can see…I see a mother, a sister, a friend and a wife
Someone who used to be so full of lifeI see laughter and love, humor and heart
I cannot bear to see your life fall apartI miss our time together and our talks
I miss going shopping and taking our walksEven though you do not always remember me
I know somehow that you can remember how things used to be
You have left indescribable prints on my heartI remember every moment with you from the very start
This disease has taken you awayI wish that forever you and your mind could stayWhen your time comes, know that I always careAnd with my children our memories I will share
I wish that your eyes would look as they did before this disease came
But now and forever your beautiful eyes will never be the same.
M AY
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A Prayer for the CaregiverBy Bruce McIntyre
Unknown and often unnoticed, you are a hero nonetheless.For your love, sacri�cial, is God at his best.
You walk by faith in the darkness of the great unknown,And your courage, even in weakness, gives life to your beloved.
You hold shaking hands and provide the ultimate care,Your presence, the knowing, that you are simply there.
You rise to face the giant of disease and despair,It is your �nest hour, though you may be unaware.
You are resilient, amazing, and beauty unexcelled,You are the caregiver and you have done well!
J U N E
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Two words that come togetherWhen you speak of someone dear.
It is that special personIf you call, they’re always near.
You’ll see that in a ‘’Caregiver’’Love comes from in their Heart.With loving hands and guidance
They help each new day start.
Caring for the fragile soul,Giving day to day.
They meet the needs of loved one’sSpreading love along the way
A gentle touch, a helping hand,A glow that makes you smile.
Always near to comfortAnd go that extra mile.
So show a little kindnessTo Caregivers across this land.You may be the one somedayWho needs a helping hand.
With Peace and Understanding,Throughout the ends of time.
There’s someone who will care for you And make your spirit shine…
The Caregiver
CAREGIVERBy Lorraine (Willorain)
J U L Y
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In Case I ForgetBy Lisa J. Schlitt
In case I forget to kiss you goodnight,Or hold your hand gently in mine,
Just wrap me tightly inside your arms,And remember happier times
In case I forget when glancing at you,The one, who makes me complete,
Alzheimer’s may have won with my mind,But my heart it will never defeat.
In case I forget the children we’ve raised,Or the hundreds of stories I’ve told,
Shed not a tear, ‘’for blessed are we,Who forget that one day we are old.’’
In case I forget to tell you how much,You’re cherished and treasured each day.
My best friend beside me to brighten the path,And carry me all the way.
I may greet you someday, with questioning eyesAs a stranger with whom I’ve just met,
Still I love you my darling with all my heart,Remember….In case I forget.
A U G U S T
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8 Ways to Decrease Caregiver Stress
1. Seek the help of a therapist to guide you through the process of balancing the care of your loved one while taking care of yourself. You can’t take good care of others if you can’t take care of yourself!
2. Join a support group of like-minded folk to decrease caregiver stress. Attend meetings, and ask someone else to take care of some of your responsibilities.
3. Build a support team of friends, neighbors, relatives who can relieve you, so you can get out, to walk in the woods, to attend church, to go shopping or to a movie. Having others to lean on will decrease caregiver stress.
4. Deal with the tremendous sense of guilt many caregivers experience when they turn “their responsibility” over to someone else, even for a short time. They feel like they are failing at their responsibility, and failing the person they’re taking care of. Both the therapist and the support group can help with Self-Su�ciency Syndrome.
5. Get exercise to stay healthy and build stamina. Exercise will also help with the emotional aspects of the caregiving, help you sleep better, and improve your mood.
6. Journal your feelings. Many times, the patient is a spouse and the caregiver is in the �rst stages of grief over an impending death. Journaling has been cited as a very effective and healthy way to get those feelings out.
7. Do meditation or relaxation exercises. Meditate in another room for 15 or 20 minutes even once a day can help decrease caregiver stress.
8. Realize that when you ask for help, you’re giving someone else a gift: the dignity of helping you! Those around you don’t want to watch you struggle alone.
Peggy Collins is a speaker, trainer and author. Visit her website at HelpIsNotaFourLet
S E P T E M B E R
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HELPFUL HINTS
Recognizing a stroke early can save a life.
If you or someone else shows unusual behavior, try these three easy tests:
• SMILE: Look at yourself in the mirror. Is your smile equal on both sides?
• RAISE BOTH ARMS UP OVER YOUR HEAD: Did one arm rise up easier than the other? (besides being caused by an orthopaedic or arthritic problem.)
• SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. Are you having trouble pronouncing your words?
If you see anything out of the ordinary, seek medical help immediately.
The sooner you get help, the more likely you will get a prompt diagnosis and treatment.
O C T O B E R
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8 Ways to Decrease Caregiver Stress
1. Seek the help of a therapist to guide you through the process of balancing the care of your loved one while taking care of yourself. You can’t take good care of others if you can’t take care of yourself!
2. Join a support group of like-minded folk to decrease caregiver stress. Attend meetings, and ask someone else to take care of some of your responsibilities.
3. Build a support team of friends, neighbors, relatives who can relieve you, so you can get out, to walk in the woods, to attend church, to go shopping or to a movie. Having others to lean on will decrease caregiver stress.
4. Deal with the tremendous sense of guilt many caregivers experience when they turn “their responsibility” over to someone else, even for a short time. They feel like they are failing at their responsibility, and failing the person they’re taking care of. Both the therapist and the support group can help with Self-Su�ciency Syndrome.
5. Get exercise to stay healthy and build stamina. Exercise will also help with the emotional aspects of the caregiving, help you sleep better, and improve your mood.
6. Journal your feelings. Many times, the patient is a spouse and the caregiver is in the �rst stages of grief over an impending death. Journaling has been cited as a very effective and healthy way to get those feelings out.
7. Do meditation or relaxation exercises. Meditate in another room for 15 or 20 minutes even once a day can help decrease caregiver stress.
8. Realize that when you ask for help, you’re giving someone else a gift: the dignity of helping you! Those around you don’t want to watch you struggle alone.
Peggy Collins is a speaker, trainer and author. Visit her website at HelpIsNotaFourLet
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’Health Bulletin’’Alzheimer’s Disease
A progressive, irreversible disease of unknown cause that is the most common form of dementia, marked by a loss of cognitive ability (due to degeneration of the brain cells and loss of memory). It usually starts in middle age or in old age as a loss of memory of recent events. It progresses on average over the course of �ve to ten or �fteen years to a profound intellectual decline characterized by dementia and personal helplessness.
The difference between Alzheimer’s and typical age-related changes:
SIGN OF ALZHEIMER’S
Poor judgment and decision making
Inability to manage a budget
Losing track of the date or season
Di�culty having a conversation
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to �nd them
TYPICAL AGE-RELATED CHANGES
Making a bad decision once in a while
Missing a monthly payment
Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
Sometimes forgetting which word to use
Losing things from time to time
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Never Sometimes Often Always 1 2 3 4
Answer the 10 questions and add the value for each answer. The values are determined as such:
NEVER = 0 • SOMETIMES = 1 • OFTEN = 2 • ALWAYS = 3
Are you frustrated with the person for whom you care because your help is refused?
Do you feel you don’t do enough for the person for whom you care ?
Does your caregiving cause con�ict with others in the family?
Do you tell your family everything is �ne when it really isn’t?
Do you take time off work to take care of your loved one?
Do you often pass up outings with your friend(s)?
Are you suffering from symptoms of stress, insomnia, stomach ache or headache which you never before experienced?
Has your daily routine been changed in order to meet the need of the person for whom you are caring?
Are you dissatis�ed that the health of the person you help does not improve?
Do you often �nd yourself close to losing your temper with the person for whom you care?
AM I A CAREGIVER?AM I IN DANGER OF EXHAUSTION?
C A R E F O R A L O V E D O N E
A score between 0 and 2: LOW RISK. You are living with your role as caregiver in a very balanced way. Your risk of becoming exhausted is minimal… Bravo!
A score between 2 and 3: MODERATE RISK. You are finding a number of di�culties in your role as caregiver. You are handling certain inherent aspects of your role, but you are at risk of becoming exhausted. There are ways to prevent exhaustion while you continue to care for your loved one.
A score between 3 and 4: DANGER. If you aren’t already exhausted, you are well on the road to becoming so. Guilt, stress, isolation and fatigue follow you daily. Get help, this is an urgent matter.
Courage doesn’t always roar, Sometimes courage is
the little voiceat the end of the day
that saysI’ll try again tomorrow.
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I m p o r t a n t P h o n e N u m b e r s
J A N U A R Y Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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F E B R U A R Y Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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M A R C H Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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A P R I L Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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M A Y Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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J U N E Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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J U L Y Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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A U G U S T Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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S E P T E M B E R Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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O C T O B E R Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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N O V E M B E R Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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D E C E M B E R Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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J A N U A R Y Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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F E B R U A R Y Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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M A Y Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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J U N E Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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J U L Y Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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A U G U S T Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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S E P T E M B E R Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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O C T O B E R Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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N O V E M B E R Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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D E C E M B E R Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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2012
The Megantic English-speaking Community Development Corporation (MCDC) is a non-profit community organiza-tion whose mission is to serve the English-speaking population of Chaudière-Appalaches and Centre-du-Qué-bec, with special emphasis on Appalaches, L’érable and Lotbinière regions.
We organize social and cultural activities, assist commu-nity members in accessing health and social services in English and provide volunteer services and information and referrals for those in need. We can also help you if you need information or assistance in English.
Our trained volunteers can provide respite to care givers. Call us for more information or join our ‘’care-chat’’ support group to share your challenges with other caregivers.
We wish to express our most heartfelt thanks to the following organization, B.M.C.S.G, which allowed us to adapt ‘The Caregivers Evaluation Tool’ for the benefit of our English-speaking community in the regions served by the MCDC.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information in this calendar is meant as a general public service only. It is in summary form and sources are indicated under each topic. MCDC assumes no responsibility for how this material is used by the public.
906, Mooney Street WestThetford Mines (Qc) G6G 6H2
Tel: 418 332-38511 877 332-3851