Author: Dan Graning

Caregiving For All:  December 7 2024, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

 

Friends: 

Merry Christmas and God’s blessings to you and yours.  Most of my emails for national caregiving links have focused on the holidays and how to make your life easier at this time of year.  I can only send so many before Google and Safari start getting angry with me.  I have already been hacked by Google earlier this fall, and don’t want that again.  I will be sending another one without my side comments, that hopefully will be helpful for the holidays. 

 

Just before Thanksgiving, I had a conversation with a friend who was a member of this group.  The person dropped out after getting parents in memory care. They said something interesting to me that caught my attention.  The person admitted to being sensitive to information and takes it personal.  It bothered them when I am talking about the struggles that Luann and I went through last year in deciding to move and then moving Luann to Assisted Living. As I have mentioned numerous times, you need to talk and share your experiences with friends. I’m still working on reconnecting with old friends, but I value the information I get each and every day and wish to share with you my friends that you can find something of value for your individual needs. By the way, that one person and I will be having more discussions in the near future as we are still good friends. 

 

Please know that I welcome feedback, good or bad.  When I led different groups in my career, I always sought ways on how to make things better.  I taught students to seek constructive criticism as we can learn much more. Each of us are in unique situations, and no general answer will serve everyone’s needs the same way.  I feel that sharing Luann and my experiences with you will hopefully help you to look at other options or realize that is not for you.  To be honest, I think most of us never got a manual on how to raise our children, and becoming a caregiver is much more difficult. Each of us will learn from the information that we hear and read.  We can put the stuff that’s irrelevant into the trash and keep for reference that which might be needed later.  I encourage you to share your feedback with me. Although I am not a license counselor, I am taking classes every year as required in my church role.  I’m trying to be more like a coach. I am assigned this senior role of caregiving by the Minnesota-Dakotas Conference of the United Methodists. I have stepped back from my other ministry roles to concentrate on this needed information.  

 

The first set of links are very important to check as this deals with getting your paperwork in order and done early.  Don’t wait until a crisis occurs and you start looking for paperwork.  Older seniors had the idea if they wrote it down and put it in their Bible it would be safe and “good enough!”   That is not true.  I have witnessed a few times in the past seven years it doesn’t work that way, and someone gets hurt.  

   

 

I am going to send you one more email very soon on topics that will hopefully help you enjoy your holidays.  I will leave out all my comments.  

 

God bless you all.  Look for the positives and celebrate the joy of a Savior who came to save us, and continues to be with us

I welcome your feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. You can reach me via the attached email, or by contacting the church to obtain my phone number.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you. 

Email: larsondel@gmail.com

Forgive me for my unedited errors.  My proofreader is too busy playing bingo. 

 

Del

 

10 Holiday Stress Relief Tips   20 Holiday Activities For Seniors     Adapting Holiday Activities for Seniors     Rules for Holiday Letter as a Caregiver     Holidays and Difficult Families

Caregiving For All:  November 11, 2024, Del Larson, Certified Lay Minister

 

Things continue to improve for us.  Luann is making another amazing recovery.  She is still stubborn about asking for help with transfers but is a fighter.  Yesterday, when she decided to get up on her own, I told her in a very kind way, that if she wasn’t going to ask for help as I requested, then do it for the grandchildren, who will be sad she is hospitalized with a broken hip.  A few minutes later, an aide came in to do her meds and I asked what happens to residents that don’t ask for help with transfers.  She said some fall, but most are very good about asking for help.  Then shortly after a fire truck and ambulance came up to the building. That is what I call a “God Whisper,” plus a crack on the head with a 2×4. Enough said. I don’t want another evil Italian eye look.

Since I started my research on caregiver loneliness in May, I’ve been amazed at how many pieces of information on that topic suddenly pop up in articles and magazines.  I love these little “God Taps” that keep me motivated. God bless you all.

1. This article is one you might want to share with a friend or family member who is beginning their caregiving journey. Feel free to share any of my materials; you can be a valuable resource for others. Remember, everyone is unique in their needs and experiences.
2. The next three are on assisted living, very helpful if you are looking at that move.  Assisted Living Checklist ,  Assisted Living Move, Assisted Living Facts
3. The next article is one pertaining to maintaining good overall health. Healthy Habits
4. The most important thing is you the caregiver. 

Del: Remember to hug yourself.  Wrap your arms around you so you feel the compassion.  It helps. I learned it 36 years ago.

I welcome your feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. You can reach me via the attached email, or by contacting the church to obtain my phone number.

I hope that you can find one thing that will be helpful to you.  Email: larsondel@gmail.com

Please forgive me for my unedited mistakes.