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Quotes
from Share the Care
"A
key in 'Share the Care' is you identify the connection to the
person. Kaye herself believes it will work and is willing to
let it work. Then there is Bethany and Asa's belief and their
willingness to ask people to be involved. That tactic helped
people to understand it is not a tragic or hopeless situation.
Instead of not knowing how they can help, they hear what jobs
are needed and equally important, have a right to say no."
-Rev.
Linda Carlson
Jackson Citizen Patriot
"I learned the 'facts of life'...that we will die. Somehow
it isn't as frightening as it was. And that if we ask for help,
it's there. And though we may feel alone, if we have courage
to let others in, others will be there."
-M. Schreibman
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Remember when your
parents took you to visit Gramma. Chances are that you visited with
Great Gramma or Aunt Maude on those occasions too. That was because
Great Gramma or Aunt Maude lived with your Gramma because they needed
a caregiver.
It is no surprise
that extended family living has declined. The surprise is that our
nation is just recognizing the family as a caregiving resource.
In the book, Share the Care, by Sheila Warnock and Cappy Capossela,
the concept of friends sharing the care of a loved one gives family
caregiving a new twist for present day living.
A group of unrelated
friends form a family unit of caregivers to give care to a seriously
ill single mom without close family nearby. They all take turns performing
the tasks that are needed so that no one person is doing it all. Much
like a family dividing up their household chores. Each member takes
on a task they can do best. In that way, the loved one is well cared
for without overwhelming any one person.
Yes, those that
can perform more take on more and those who can't don't. But this
is true of any family.
Many caregivers will identify with "Susan's Funny Family"
in this book.
Helping professionals
will be uplifted to know there is a way to assist overwhelmed and
burnt out caregivers. However, caregivers need to believe it will
work for them.
In "Susan's Funny Family " there was no other choice. Susan
was in crisis. For many caregivers, a crisis may make them believers
of the Share the Care concept.
If you are an overwhelmed caregiver making a choice between caring
for your loved one at home or placing them in a facility please read
Share the Care. It may open up other possibilities. In some cases,
it may supplement existing home health or hospice services. It will
be provided by unpaid friends who care enough to want to make a difference
in your life. Talk to your loved one, if possible, to see if this
would be something they would accept.
This is a true
family of friends, creating a healthier life for both caregiver and
those needing care. An unexpected gift is the bond of supportive and
encouragement each gives to the other in their caregiving role.
Reagan's
Death Brings Attention to Alzheimer's Disease
Nancy Reagan's
love for her husband may be the catalyst that brings more money
and research to fight the cause of Alzheimer's Disease.
Surely the death of a president suffering from Alzheimer's will
produce attention and advances towards a cure for this disease that
will help the masses of ordinary people still afflicted.
While our current
President is caught up in the duties of protecting our homeland
from terrorists here and abroad, the quiet death of a past president
may give new hope to families facing the realities of life with
a loved one afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.
The battles
are similar in nature if not scope. Both battling for the safety
and protection of our loved ones' lives. Soldiers are ordered to
battle abroad, while families and caregivers battle daily in the
home to stay the ravages of this life altering disease. Billions
of dollars are spent and lost trying to fight off the advances of
both opponents. Many die without knowing whether or not their sacrifice
made a difference in the quality of life for others. Loved ones
in both battles mourn their losses.
Nancy Reagan's
love for her husband and the end of a President's long journey might
be the peaceful answer for caregivers worldwide.
Researchers
need money and support to continue working toward a cure and to
develop new effective drugs that will slow down the progression
of this disease.
Let us all hope
that Nancy Reagan's love for her husband continues to ignite a burning
desire to find an end to Alzheimer's Disease in the memory of Ronald
Reagan and all others that suffer the same affliction.
| Nancy
Reagan Quote
" Ronnie's
long journey has finally taken him to a distant place where
I can no longer reach him. Because of this I'm determined to
do whatever I can to save other families from this pain."
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Resources
Visit
the Share the Care Website at:
www.sharethecare.org
"Family is not always defined by blood or marriage, but more
often by love and commitment to each other" E. Farrow Savos-
daughter of Susan.
Alzheimer's
Association of Vermont and New Hampshire
P.O.Box 1139
Montpelier, VT 05601
www.alz.org/vtnh
1-802-229-1022
Or
1-800-536-8864