"More of these things" sounds right. I'm adding to my list (and hopefully yours) more "chosen family" dinners! And thank you for so fully sharing your experiences as you encourage others and create space for dialogue on this important topic.
Anna- outdoor walks and puzzles are also my go-to!
In my work with seniors, I have found (anecdotally) that the people who leave the TV off and have the newspaper's puzzle page open are the ones with the least amount of cognitive decline.
Interesting! My dad was a reader and thinker more than a TV watcher, until he started experiencing dementia. I wonder if the relationship is one of correlation more than causation... but there is so much we still need to learn about cognitive decline. Thanks for reading :)
Hi Anna, I'm Victoria. First, (even if we don't know each other) A BIG EMPATHETIC-CARER HUG. I hear you. No clichés or questions or comparisons from me...you've burnt down whilst rollercoaster-ing and hard gritted...and still, you're getting fresh air and finding ways to practice self-care. YOU ROCK!...but then you're running at full blast as a 'sandwicher'.... so much empathy.
Our journeys are different, but I can relate to everything you've shared. The turmoil, the situations you've described with your Dad's self-recriminations, and your Mum's cognitive lapses in small downward incremental steps - each being a heart-sink moment for you...it all brings back a lot of memories of how Dad was with Vascular Dementia (on top of congestive heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis and then bladder cancer.) But I don't want to overwhelm or 'dump' a lot of my story on you.
I simply wanted to say, 'Hi!' and connect.
I'll start a chat for subscribers at some point but here's some intro to my writing.
On my website (substack homepage), you'll see sections called Resonance and the CAPE, which I hope share more empathy. e.g. https://www.carermentor.com/p/if-i-could. The mentoring section may have some interest too, but I'm not sure if you're looking for more stimulus questions and 'inspiration' right now. Have a wander around ;-) My LinkedIn profile link is bottom right of my homepage.
Hi Victoria - thanks for reading and connecting! I'm looking forward to reading some of your work, it sounds like you're building a great resource for many of us carers who are looking to connect. Let's be in touch!
Thanks, Anna! Nail on the head ;-) I think you'll like the tagline of 'The CAPE' section of my website which is Dispelling the myth that Carers are Superhuman. Care, be Aware, Prepare & Engage. (CAPE).- priming will-be-carers to the realities of caring!
it would be very easy for people to look at your bio and the article and 'cliché' everything you do and 'Double-cape' you as Super-mom and Super-Carer...but no human can be a superhero - too much pressure!..Just comments I wanted to share before reading and sleeping (I forgot to say I'm in England!)
"More of these things" sounds right. I'm adding to my list (and hopefully yours) more "chosen family" dinners! And thank you for so fully sharing your experiences as you encourage others and create space for dialogue on this important topic.
YES!! That should be #4. 'Nurturing relationships' is on every 'stay healthy' list out there. Plus it's fun. Thanks for your encouraging words! xo
I’m so sorry about what has been going on. I’m here for you and would love to do a nature walk sometime soon. Thank you for sharing so generously.
Kate! I've been thinking about you friend, and would love to go on a walk soon. xoxo
Anna- outdoor walks and puzzles are also my go-to!
In my work with seniors, I have found (anecdotally) that the people who leave the TV off and have the newspaper's puzzle page open are the ones with the least amount of cognitive decline.
Interesting! My dad was a reader and thinker more than a TV watcher, until he started experiencing dementia. I wonder if the relationship is one of correlation more than causation... but there is so much we still need to learn about cognitive decline. Thanks for reading :)
Thanks for these eloquent reflections; it does sound like a stressful several months! By the way, I just discovered that there are several versions of Wordle that you can buy as board games, in case you want to play with more than one of your kids at a time. https://www.amazon.com/Wordle-Party-Players-Official-Inspired/dp/B0B5B9CP17/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SYORV8KWJZRD&keywords=wordle+board+game&qid=1707526453&sprefix=wordle%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-1
Hi Anna, I'm Victoria. First, (even if we don't know each other) A BIG EMPATHETIC-CARER HUG. I hear you. No clichés or questions or comparisons from me...you've burnt down whilst rollercoaster-ing and hard gritted...and still, you're getting fresh air and finding ways to practice self-care. YOU ROCK!...but then you're running at full blast as a 'sandwicher'.... so much empathy.
Our journeys are different, but I can relate to everything you've shared. The turmoil, the situations you've described with your Dad's self-recriminations, and your Mum's cognitive lapses in small downward incremental steps - each being a heart-sink moment for you...it all brings back a lot of memories of how Dad was with Vascular Dementia (on top of congestive heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis and then bladder cancer.) But I don't want to overwhelm or 'dump' a lot of my story on you.
I simply wanted to say, 'Hi!' and connect.
I'll start a chat for subscribers at some point but here's some intro to my writing.
On my website (substack homepage), you'll see sections called Resonance and the CAPE, which I hope share more empathy. e.g. https://www.carermentor.com/p/if-i-could. The mentoring section may have some interest too, but I'm not sure if you're looking for more stimulus questions and 'inspiration' right now. Have a wander around ;-) My LinkedIn profile link is bottom right of my homepage.
Hi Victoria - thanks for reading and connecting! I'm looking forward to reading some of your work, it sounds like you're building a great resource for many of us carers who are looking to connect. Let's be in touch!
Thanks, Anna! Nail on the head ;-) I think you'll like the tagline of 'The CAPE' section of my website which is Dispelling the myth that Carers are Superhuman. Care, be Aware, Prepare & Engage. (CAPE).- priming will-be-carers to the realities of caring!
it would be very easy for people to look at your bio and the article and 'cliché' everything you do and 'Double-cape' you as Super-mom and Super-Carer...but no human can be a superhero - too much pressure!..Just comments I wanted to share before reading and sleeping (I forgot to say I'm in England!)