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Honoring Legacy and the Impact of Caregiversby Tina Games on JANUARY 21, 2015 in BALANCE, CAREGIVER, CAREGIVING, IMPACT, LEGACY, SELF-CARE, SUPPORTSYSTEM, TRANSITION, WELL-BEING

Today, I have the great pleasure of being the hoston Day 2 of the Virtual Blog Tour for authorCarolyn A. Brent whose book, The CaregiversCompanion: Caring for Your Loved OneMedically, Financially, and Emotionally WhileCaring for Yourself will be released on Amazon

next week on January 27th.

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Carolyn A. Brent is a nationally acclaimedauthor, speaker, and caregiver advocate and has dedicated her life to preparing caregiversand their loved ones who are facing end-of-lifeissues. Carolyn is the founder of Caregiver Story, anon-profit organization that provides freemedical, legal, and wellness resources to thepublic.

Yesterday, Carolyn visited Callie Carling on herblog where they discussed a caregivers self-careand overcoming self-guilt traps. You can read thisdialogue here: Callie Carling Cancer Goddess

As someone who lost my mother just three shortyears ago, Im mindful of the important role ofcaregivers and the impact that a caregiver has in

shaping the final days of ones life here on earth. Im also mindful of whats requiredof a caregiver, both energetically and emotionally. Many caregivers serve as confidantsfor their loved ones, creating safe and sacred space where thoughts and emotions canbe exchanged with great love and care.

And because I feel so strongly about this special relationship, Ive invited Carolyn tojoin me on my blog today to share her thoughts on the topic of legacy andtransitioning from the perspective of the caregiver.

Heres what she had to say with regard to this often under-valued, but highly-significant role.

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Tina Games: I was recently a guest speaker on a grief healing telesummit were Ispoke on the topic of Embracing the Legacy of Your Loved One. Because caregivershave special relationships with those they care for, they have unique perspectivesthat can bring peace to families. From a caregivers perspective, what do you believeis important in honoring a loved ones legacy?

Carolyn A. Brent: The most important gift to give a loved one is to honor yourloved ones wishes. Yes, many caregivers do have a very special bond with their lovedone (s). Often their loved one will share a number of personal and heartfelt wishes insome cases with only their caregivers. There are many types of legacies in honoring aloved ones life. The following are a few examples:

Building an organization or charity in the memory of your loved one.Participating in an annual event in honor of your loved.Producing a special video of your loved ones life.Write a book (s) in honor of your loved one life.Volunteering at an organization that represents a cause in the honor of yourloved ones memory.Designing a scrapbook using photos and heirlooms of your loved one.Planting flowers in a special memorial garden, or a tree in the honor of yourloved one.Naming a person, place or an object after the name of your loved one.Creating blogs, daily newspaper, website, or social media honoring the name ofyour loved one.

In 2007, when my father had a sudden and unexpected life-threatening emergency, Ifelt sad, depressed, and all alone in this Great Big World. Once I reached out and got

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the help I needed to move forward was when my life began to change. I foundmyself enmeshed with thinking of all of the GREAT things my father taught methroughout his lifetime. I began reflecting on my memories of him, my hero, friend,and mentor. I had no idea his ministry of teaching and helping the sick, and disabledwould have such a significant impact on my life.

Now, I am carrying the torch once carried by my father, William L. Brent, Th.D., Ifound that the healing of my grief began when I focused on, and embraced thememories of the great things he taught me. Today I share with others about myfathers ministry, and life helping the sick and disabled. I feel my fathers spirit withme every day every step of the way. For me, my father is alive, and his legacycontinues to live forever.

All of the examples above were created in the honor of my fathers (Dr. William L.Brents) legacy.

Tina Games: What can a family do to better prepare themselves for the transitioninto full-time caregiving? And what are some things to keep in mind when choosing aprimary caregiver?

Carolyn A. Brent: First, I would like to clarify the definition of a caregiver. Law-Glossary.com defines a caregiver as the person who is primarily responsible forlooking after someones health, safety and comfort. When speaking about agingadults, a primary caregiver steps in only when someone cannot fully care for himselfor herself. A primary caregiver may be any selected family or nonfamily member, amedical professional in a care facility or a trained professional living outside thehome.

Being a primary caregiver is a HUGE responsibility. A key question I ask potential

caregivers is; have you considered how your role as primary caregiver will affect yourlife? Remember, the needs of your loved one will always come before your needswhen you are the primary caregiver. You must always be prepared for the unexpectedemergency. Please take a close look at the following statistics from the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding caregivers located in the UnitedStates:

Out-of-pocket costs for caregivers are estimated to be $5,531.00 annually (2007).At least a quarter of caregivers report having a difficult time balancing work andlife.More than half of caregivers report that their health has gotten worse whilecaregiving.Two-thirds of caregivers put off going to their own doctor because they prioritizetheir caregiving duties.There are roughly thirty-four million unpaid caregivers helping someone overthe age of eighteen (2008).

Now the BIG questions; are you prepared regarding the daily expense of caring for aloved one? Are you ready for the responsibilities? Do you have the temperament? Areyou a patient person? Are you ready to give up your current life? Are you ready to bethe primary caregiver? Are you caring for a loved one because of love? The list can goon and on regarding selecting the primary caregiver.

Regarding preparing for caring for a loved one now is the time to start having thosecrucial conversations about end of life with family. Why wait until there is a suddenand unexpected emergency? Now is the time! Caregiving should always be a familyaffair. And remember, family is not always blood-relatives.

Tina Games: Because caregiving can be emotionally draining and physically taxing,

how can a family support the well-being of a trusted caregiver?

Carolyn A. Brent: Yes, caregiving IS emotionally draining and physically taxing. Iwill forever share with family members of the primary caregiver is to make caregivinga family affair.

Ask the primary caregiver how can you help take some of the pressure off theirdaily responsibilities?Are you aware that everyone including grandchildren can contribute to thehealth and wellbeing of the primary caregiver and the loved one being cared for?Support the primary caregiver with your talents, love, time, and affection.To help avoid caregiver burnout you can surprise them with day spatreatments, a paid vacation, money, your help, and your unconditional LOVE.

*For more details regarding how to support a family caregiver, please refer to TheCaregivers Companion- Chapter 1: When Should You Step In?

I hope you enjoyed this blog interview with Carolyn A. Brent and that youll checkout her book on Amazon when it launches next week on January 27, 2015.

AND be sure to follow Carolyn tomorrow on the next stop of her Virtual Blog Tour.Shell be visiting with Kate Beddow, who will be interviewing her on a variety ofsubjects, including tips for staying healthy, loved ones accepting help, andtransitioning back to living for yourself.

To visit that stop on the blog tour, go to: Kate Beddow Growing Spirits

Carolyn A. Brent travels throughout the United States,lecturing about the importance of adult siblings and theirparents having what she calls crucial conversations inpreparation for the end-of-life issues they may face. One ofher special skills is helping families avoid being torn apart and helping families come together as a much stronger family unit. As a result of herwork, families have the opportunity to create the type of supportive, lovingenvironment their parents need in order to depart this world with dignity. If youdlike to learn more about Carolyn and her fabulous work and how its benefitingcaregivers across the country, please visit her website: Carolyn A. Brent

About Tina GamesTina M. Games is the author of Journaling by the Moonlight: A Mothers Path to Self-Discovery (an interactivebook with an accompanying deck of 54 journaling prompt cards). As a certified creativity and life purpose

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coach, and a gifted intuitive, she is the Moonlight Muse for women who want to tap intothe full moon within and claim their authentic self, both personally and professionally.Through her signature coaching programs, based on the phases of the moon, Tinagently guides women from darkness to light as they create an authentic vision filled withpurpose, passion and creative expression. She lives on Cape Cod in Massachusetts withher husband and their two children.

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12 Responses to Honoring Legacy and the Impact of Caregivers

Christina Kelly January 21, 2015 at 3:14 pm #

Great blog post! With parents who are aging, I find this information extremely helpful. Ill keepan eye out for her book.

REPLY

Carolyn A. Brent January 25, 2015 at 2:45 am #

Dear Tina,

I would like to thank you for being part of International Caregivers Companion Blog Tour. I will beforever grateful and appreciate the wonderful questions you asked that will help so many people.

Blessings to you!

Sincerely, Carolyn

P.S.The book is available NOW on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Caregivers-Companion-Financially-Emotionally/dp/0373893094/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

REPLY

Chelsea Hanson January 21, 2015 at 4:25 pm #

Important Informationthanks for sharingI especially like the types of ways to honor lovedoness legacy. Some great ideas were presented to get the creative ideas flowing in this area.

Great work!Chelsea HansonGrief Educator & Purposeful Business Coachhttp://www.withsympathygifts.com

REPLY

Jill Greinke January 22, 2015 at 2:24 am #

Wonderful blog! You share some informative information about caring for loved ones and still

remembering to care for ourselves.

REPLY

Bonnie Nussbaum January 22, 2015 at 2:50 am #

What a wonderful interview! So many people are desperately in need of this kind of information.Thank you for sharing.

REPLY

Pam Kachelmeier MA, PC, LC January 22, 2015 at 10:05 pm #

One usually does not think about this until it is upon them; but it is good to know there is a planone can follow and seek support when needed. Great suggestions on how to handle the

change.

REPLY

Dr. Erica Pooler January 24, 2015 at 10:10 pm #

This blog tour has really hit home, I lost two of the most important people in my life. My GreatGrandmother Lillie Mae Code and my first born son Michael Mikey Pooler. There is nothing

that can prepare you for the death of a loved one nor are there any words to make the pain any easier. Myfamily and I honor my son by writing him letters and sending them to heaven on balloons, I tell himeverything thats on my heart and just how much I miss him. He is also honored at local schools for safetyawareness every March. I recently was able to honor my Great Grandmother at the Teal Takeover inAtlanta for PMK cancer awareness fashion show.

It gives a sense of I havent forgot about you and how much you mean to me.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

The Caregivers Companion an Interview with Carolyn A. Brent | A Caregiver's Story - January 23, 2015[] Carolyn visited Tina Games at http://moonlightmusepress.com/legacy-and-the-caregiver/, where sheinterviewed Carolyn on the topic of legacy and []Thank you for contributing we are on amazons bestseller list | A Caregiver's Story - January 31, 2015[] 2 Honoring Legacy and the Impact of Caregivers by Tina M. Games About Tina Games Tina M. Games isthe author of Journaling by the Moonlight: A []7 Tips for Self-Care, for Carers | Cancer Goddess - February 5, 2015[] AND be sure to follow Carolyn tomorrow when the next stop on the Virtual Blog Tour is my dear friend, TinaGames, who will be interviewing Carolyn on the subject of legacy and transitioning:http://moonlightmusepress.com/legacy-and-the-caregiver/ []

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Christine January 25, 2015 at 12:10 pm #

Congratulations, Tina! So important as our population is living longer.

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Teena January 30, 2015 at 4:40 am #

Tina This is such valuable and really priceless information. Thank you so much for sharingonce again you wisdom and divine collaboration with others.

Teenahttp://www.ignitelovenow.com

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