Caregiving |

May 22, 2015

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Why Can Remembering and Reminsicing Transform Caregiving One Memory At a Time?

Holidays like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Memorial Day can stimulate memories, or longings.

And sometimes it’s events or days not usually associated with memories that are the hardest.

Why?

Well, it’s because they can catch you unprepared. With an official holiday that’s associated with memories, you may have some warning that it’s coming.

When I was young, Memorial Day was an important holiday. I grew up near a town that was one of the ones starting the practice of Memorial Day after the Civil War. Oh, it never got official recognition from the federal government for founding the day. That honor went to a different town.

Still, it was a time that families would gather at cemeteries to place flowers on graves, or to plant them. And even if your family didn’t have anyone to honor, it was a time to notice the care and love others showed.

Reminiscing after the caregiving ends can give you great comfort. And like many parts of caregiving, it can also lead to intense sorrow. Focusing on the negative aspects of memories—“what if” or the “if only”—can lead to more and more pain and sorrow. While focusing on happy memories, on those moments of joy and love can lead to happiness and comfort.

Creating those happy memories while caregiving can be challenging with everything you already do. It can also be a comfort, and make your caregiving easier while reducing caregiver stress. Reminiscing can do the same. Reminiscing be allowing your carereceiver to share the memories she recalls, even if someone else thinks they’re “wrong.” We explain further in our free webinar…

In our webinar Remember and Reminisce With Purpose: Transforming Caregiving One Memory At a Time we show you…

Steps you can take long before the caregiving ends to keep the good memories alive and to share them…
The power of changing from focusing on remembering to reminiscing in you carereceiver and how it can reduce caregiver stress and…
Suggestions for how to preserve memories that can be started while caregiving, and final editing and preservation can be done afterwards.

The replay is available now. Just Click Here Now to Save Your Seat for the next webinar and to get instant access to previous ones. And be sure to listen to the entire webinar, because we have a special gift for you at the end.

We’re here to help you make your caregiving Happy&Healthy.

To your Happy&Healthy Caregiving,

Ina Gilmore, M.D.

Founder, CaregivingWithPurpose.com and TheKnittingYarn.com

Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

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Why Can Remembering and Reminsicing Transform Caregiving One Memory At a Time?

Caregiving |

December 17, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Caregiver’s Heart Episode 12: Reducing Caregiver Stress Through Love and Forgiveness

Caregiver’s Heart Podcast Episode #12: Reducing Caregiver Stress Through Love and Forgiveness

L in “A HEART PLAN” is for Loving and Forgiving.

Loving and forgiving can help you continue with caregiving when you’re discouraged, stressed or exhausted. They are powerful tools in fighting caregiver stress.

They are what got me through my first Christmas as a doctor. One of my young patients died a few days before Christmas.

There was nothing we could do to prevent or stop it. And yet, I felt like a failure. It was only through the kind outreach of colleagues and family that I found the strength to forgive myself, and to continue to love my work.

Podcast:

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If you are viewing this post on a site other than Caregiving With Purpose, and cannot see the audio player click here to go to the original post.

In caregiving, there are many opportunities for loving and forgiving—to your care recipient(s) and to yourself. Take as many as you can.

Wondering why?

Because when the caregiving ends, whether your care recipient moves on or you stop being a caregiver you’ll know you gave love, hope and forgiveness.
Because love and forgiveness are SO powerful, they may indeed be the two most powerful tools you have as a caregiver. To keep on doing your best under adverse conditions, and to share your gifts with the world.
Because there is so much negativity in illness and disease, that bringing love and forgiveness also bring hope and light in the darkness of despair.

Sometimes as a caregiver you feel all you can do is gently touch or give a kind word. And it is more than enough.

Resources

Discover your purpose in life through The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For?

Click here now to get stress relief in 5 minutes or less with Ancient Wisdom Guided Relaxation.

Finding out you are not alone in your caregiving struggle can make all the difference.

Now there’s a community you can join to connect with other caregivers, together more than surviving – thriving in giving care. The Caregiver’s Heart membership was created by a caregiver for caregivers. And now you can try it yourself for 7 days for only 1 cent.

Reduce caregiver stress by joining the Caregiver’s Heart community now and get your handy reference sheet as part of your membership. Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

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Caregiver’s Heart Episode 12: Reducing Caregiver Stress Through Love and Forgiveness

Caregiving |

December 11, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Why Do Sleep Disruptions Increase Caregiver Stress?

Caregiver stress can be related to sleep deprivation or sleep loss.

Have you noticed being more irritable after a loss of sleep?

You’re not alone. Sleep deprivation can lead to more than increased irritability. Because the immune system that fights inflammation and infections work best at night, sleep disruption can impair their activity and lead to health issues.

With the problems and issues you face on a daily basis while giving care, sleep loss can easily lead to increased caregiver stress. And the problems associated with it.

Your body needs the rest and restoration from sleep.

Sleeping for your Health

It may not be that hard for you to believe, but the quality of your sleep matters for more than just how tired you will or won’t be when you wake up. Drugs aren’t the answer, because they’ll just put you to bed, they don’t help you rest and restore your body. If buying a white (or rain) noise machine doesn’t sound appealing to you, watch this video to learn more about how you can set the stage to give your body the uninterrupted and restorative sleep it needs.

Original Post:

Sleeping for Your Health

Dr. Perlmutter’s suggestions are practical and simple. His two minute video is well worth the time. If you are not reading this on Caregiving With Purpose, click here to view the video.

Why do sleep disruptions increase your caregiver stress?

Sleep deprivation and disruptions interrupt the natural restorative function of sleep. Your body is not functioning optimally and you may find yourself increasing frustrated, irritated and even short tempered. All of which can make you more likely to feel stressed and react negatively to it.
Sleep is where your immune system works best. So when your sleep is disrupted, you are more susceptible to colds and other contagious diseases. Your immune system also protects you from other diseases and inflammation, and you may have additional health issues from stress.
When you’re tired from lack of sleep, it can be hard to think clearly and quickly. So you may feel stressed from making decisions and dealing with the unexpected. Sleep disruption can lead to errors in judgment and mistakes.

What can you do to get a better night’s sleep?

Take stimulants like caffeine and do stimulating activity early in the day. Dr. Perlmutter’s video suggests moving caffeine intake, medications that may prevent sleep and exercise to before noon. You may have other situations you can move to early in the day, such as something you do at work or activities that require exertion although you ay not consider them “exercise.” Be sure to check with your doctor about the proper time to do these activities and take medications.

Slow down in the evening. In addition to actively avoiding stimulants and stimulating situations at night, you can also help your body to relax by actively planning relaxing activities. This may be a good time to do a craft like knotting or crocheting. You could also do any number of activities that trigger the relaxation response. Click here for a list of activities that have been found to elicit it.

Avoid very late meals. Eating your supper or dinner earlier in the evening may allow your body time to digest your meal before sleep. And a lighter meal may also be of benefit.

Simple steps can make a difference and reduce caregiver stress.

Leave a comment to share how you reduce caregiver stress.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

See the original post:
Why Do Sleep Disruptions Increase Caregiver Stress?

Caregiving |

December 6, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Why Is Finding Your Purpose in Caregiving Important in Reducing Caregiver Stress?

Caregiver’s Heart Podcast Episode #11

Does caregiver stress seem to be one of those never ending problems you face?

It can easily seem that way. Why? Well there are several reasons.

The causes of caregiver stress may have more than one source. So if you treat one cause, another may still be there, even increase as you treat the other.
Sometimes the solutions are short term. Laughter for example can immediately reduce stress, although if the source of the stress is not addressed, the stress can quickly recur.
One of the ways to reduce stress is to discover your purpose in caregiving — and how it related to your life’s purpose. This week’s Caregiver’s Heart podcast addresses this issue…

Podcast:

Play in new window | Download

If you are viewing this post on a site other than Caregiving With Purpose, and cannot see the audio player click here to go to the original post.

Resources

Discover your purpose in life through The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For?

Click here now to get stress relief in 5 minutes or less with Ancient Wisdom Guided Relaxation.

Finding out you are not alone in your caregiving struggle can make all the difference.

Reduce caregiver stress by joining the Caregiver’s Heart community now and get your handy reference sheet as part of your membership. Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D.

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Here is the original post:
Why Is Finding Your Purpose in Caregiving Important in Reducing Caregiver Stress?

Caregiving |

November 27, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Does Grief Increase Your Holiday and Caregiver Stress?

While increased holiday and caregiver stress may be obvious, it’s not always clear that grief may be adding to it.

Most people don’t automatically think about things like end of life issues or memorial gravestones during the holidays. They’re supposed to be a happy time of memories and family, right?

When you’re a family or professional caregiver, this time of year can be challenging and lead to increased caregiver stress.

People get sick during the holidays, and there can be feelings or memories of grieving mixed in with more traditional happy ones. Or maybe you’re coping with grief—either for someone who is ill or has passed this year or during this time of year.

You’re not alone.

I know. Two close family members passed during December and one of my youngest patients passed a few days before Christmas one year, which changed how I view the holidays.

Now in addition to joy filled memories of childhood, there are also sad memories of caring for those who became ill, and some who finished their Journey during the holidays.

It would be easy to dwell on the sad things that have occurred to those I care about during the holidays. And focusing on it seems to increase it—and can lead to increased stress.

One day I started looking at it from a different angle. Instead of grieving for what might have been, or what was lost…

What if I had not been there? Who would have held their hands, offered a smile, sat with them?

That’s when I found the peace of being privileged to help when they were not at their best. Of easing their pain, offering a smile, holding their hand or just being there.

Of touching a heart with love. Isn’t that what the holidays are really about?

How can you reduce holiday caregiver stress?

Planning ahead can help. Do you have someone you can call to help? How about two or more folks just in case one is not available?
Have you considered reducing your caregiver stress through delegating holiday tasks to someone else? Maybe it’s time another family member takes over for you. At least for this year.
Watching a favorite holiday movie on DVD or TV can also give you a needed respite. How about playing recordings of your and your loved one’s favorite Christmas carols?
Even if you don’t feel like decorating the whole house, how about a little Christmas decorating? Maybe a tabletop tree? A little Christmas decorating in an invalid’s room can make a world of difference.
Remember to laugh—one of the fastest caregiver stress relievers known!

Knowing you are not alone in your caregiving stress can make all the difference.

Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

*PayPal and credit card companies charge a 1 cent ($0.01) processing fee for trial memberships.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Original Post:

Does Grief Increase Your Holiday and Caregiver Stress?

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Does Grief Increase Your Holiday and Caregiver Stress?

Caregiving |

November 12, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Can Giving Thanks During Caregiver Awareness Month Reduce Caregiver Stress?

Caregiver’s Heart Podcast Episode #10

Caregiver stress can sneak up on you. It’s often there at a low level, and can be worse as additional stress such as upcoming holidays come close.

Sometimes just a smile or vote of confidence helps. And during November, which is both Caregiver Awareness Month and in the U.S. a month of thanksgiving, discovering why showing and expressing your thanks can reduce someone else’s caregiver stress. This podcast explains why…

Podcast:

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If you are viewing this post on a site other than Caregiving With Purpose, and cannot see the audio player click here to go to the original post.

Resources

Download your roadmap for caregiving now!

You know, finding out you are not alone in your caregiving struggle can make all the difference.

Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

*PayPal and credit card companies charge a 1 cent ($0.01) processing fee for trial memberships.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

P.S. Fighting caregiver stress often requires support. Caregiving can be isolating, although it doesn’t have to be. Join the Caregiver’s Heart community now and get your handy reference sheet as part of your membership. Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

Original Post:

Can Giving Thanks During Caregiver Awareness Month Reduce Caregiver Stress?

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Can Giving Thanks During Caregiver Awareness Month Reduce Caregiver Stress?

Caregiving |

November 2, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Why Does Thanksgiving Reduce Caregiver Stress?

Caregiver’s Heart Podcast Episode #09

Where Does Thanksgiving Reduce Caregiver Stress?

Thanksgiving can be one of the most powerful tools in reducing caregiver stress, as you can hear in this week’s podcast episode of Caregiver’s Heart.

Podcast:

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If you are viewing this post on a site other than Caregiving With Purpose, and cannot see the audio player click here to go to the original post.

Resources

Click Here to Download Your Road Map for More Than Surviving — Thriving in Caregiving!

5 Minutes To Eliminate the 3 Deadly Mistakes That Cause Stress, Overwhelm and Burnout

Finding out you are not alone in your caregiving struggle can make all the difference.

Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

*PayPal and credit card companies charge a 1 cent ($0.01) processing fee for trial memberships.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

P.S. Join the Caregiver’s Heart community now and find out more ways to reduce caregiver stress. Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

Original Post:

Why Does Thanksgiving Reduce Caregiver Stress?

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Why Does Thanksgiving Reduce Caregiver Stress?

Caregiving |

October 18, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Why Is Reducing Caregiver Stress Important?

Caregiver’s Heart Podcast Episode #08: Reducing Caregiver Stress

Caregiver stress is one of the major challenges when giving care. The “R” in A HEART PLAN addresses reducing stress and your reaction to it as an important aspect of giving care and more than surviving – thriving!

Podcast: Play in new window
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If you are viewing this post on a site other than Caregiving With Purpose, and cannot see the audio player click here to go to the original post.

Resources

Too often it’s impossible to reduce or remove the things that cause stress. However, you can still reduce stress by changing the way you react to it.

Knowing you are not alone in your caregiving stress can make all the difference.

Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

*PayPal and credit card companies charge a 1 cent ($0.01) processing fee for trial memberships.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Original Post:

Why Is Reducing Caregiver Stress Important?

Originally posted here:
Why Is Reducing Caregiver Stress Important?

Caregiving |

October 3, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

How Is Caregiver Stress Related To Negativity?

Caregiver’s Heart Podcast Episode #06: How Is Caregiver Stress Related To Negativity?

Negativity is prevalent in disease and chronic illnesses. Sometimes it is due to pain, the disease itself and often fear… from both care recipients and caregivers.

When Lisa’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Lisa felt at a loss. She grieved the diagnosis, the future loss of her mother and the changes caregiving would bring to her and her family’s lives.

And she responded to her mother’s fear of the future.

Suddenly their lives were full of problems that seemed insurmountable. This week’s podcast addresses this…

Podcast: Play in new window
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If you are viewing this post on a site other than Caregiving With Purpose, and cannot see the audio player click here to go to the original post.

Resources

1. Click here to download “A HEART PLAN” – your step-by-step system that gently and lovingly helps you cope with the stresses and challenges in caregiving.

2. Finding out you are not alone in your caregiving struggle can make all the difference.

Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

*PayPal and credit card companies charge a 1 cent ($0.01) processing fee for trial memberships.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

P.S. Caregiver stress is increased by several factors, including negativity. Recognizing negative factors and influences and eliminating them can be a first step towards reducing stress. Join our community and share ways of combating negativity. Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

Original Post:

How Is Caregiver Stress Related To Negativity?

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How Is Caregiver Stress Related To Negativity?

Caregiving |

September 6, 2013

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Caregiver’s Heart Podcast 4: Why Does Caregiver Stress Respond To Accepting?

Caregiver’s Heart Podcast Episode #4

Caregiver stress can start very early in the caregiving process. Sometimes even before realizing you are the designated caregiver.

This week’s Caregiver’s Heart podcast explains how acceptance can lead to decreasing caregiver stress…

Podcast: Play in new window
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Resources

Finding out you are not alone in your caregiving struggle can make all the difference.

Click here now to get your 7 Day Trial Gold Membership.

Find out more about A HEART PLAN with “A HEART PLAN AUDIO Package.”

Click here to download your copy now!

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

P.S. Reduce caregiver stress in yourself or someone you love! Join the Caregiver’s Heart community now and get your handy reference sheet as part of your membership. Click here now to get your 7 Day 1-Cent* Trial Gold Membership.

Original Post:

#4: Why Does Caregiver Stress Respond To Accepting?

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Caregiver’s Heart Podcast 4: Why Does Caregiver Stress Respond To Accepting?