Blog
Reflections from the Crossroads
Journaling for Caregivers: Gratitude and So Much More
Keeping a journal can be a powerful tool to help caregivers find more peace, better sleep, and a sense of clarity. This is true whether you are caring for a family member or working in health care or the healing arts.
What do Redwood Trees have to do with Caregiver Trauma?
I discovered something really amazing about redwood tees a few years ago. Did you know that these stupendous giants have extremely thin roots, and that they only go down into the earth for about 6-12 feet? (Coastal Redwoods can grow to 300’ tall or more). The...
Winter Holidays for Caregivers: What’s Your Plan?
Last year, I witnessed a “drive-by” baby shower for my neighbors across the street. It was impressive to see the decorated table they’d set up at the curb, where party favors, bottled water, balloons, and snacks were dispensed to friends and family as they came by in...
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Not Just the Winter Blues
The winter season can be hard on everyone, but for some people it is more than just the "winter blues." Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that usually occurs at the same time each year. It often goes away with warmer weather and longer days. If...
Disinhibition: the double-edged sword of dementia
. “Disinhibition” is the term for what happens when the brain loses the ability to inhibit, or stop, our impulses to speak or act. We all have healthy inhibition, the “filter” that tells us not to say out loud the things that come to our mind. Think of the last time you were really angry, or jealous, or upset with someone, but you chose to “bite your tongue.”
Sweetheart Chamber Music Serenade for Elders!
This musical Valentine comes to you with love from the students of the Chamber Music and Y2C programs at the Hartt Community School, University of Hartford, CT. Please share with the Elders and Caregivers in your life, and stay safe!
Abundant Holiday Music to Share with the Elders in Your Life!
The Hartt Community School Chamber Music Program usually gives concerts in nursing homes during the holidays. These are some of the most joyous and beautiful concerts of the year, especially because the residents and the performers get to visit with each other at a festive reception for which the performers’ families bring food. Of course none of this is possible in person this year, BUT we found a way to bring the music in anyway!
7 Keys to Succeeding with Dementia Caregiving
Your heart is in the right place. You’re doing everything you can to make your relative who lives with dementia feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. But you still feel like a failure! What could the problem be?
BE-ing and DO-ing: What I’ve Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic
Even in the most intense times, you can connect to BE-ing. In fact, learning how to BE in the moment will help you cope with stress, perform at peak level, and maintain focus so you can respond to the person with whom you share care, rather than just react to the stressors and demands around you.
Honor, Reflect, Listen, Act
I invite you to join with me in this challenging time in doing the hard work of truly listening to our black brothers and sisters, and then act to bring greater understanding, peace, and unity in our relationships, communities, and in our nation.
Passionate about person-directed, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches to care that maximize well-being for every member of the care partner team!