Who Takes Care of the Caregiver? | by Linda Brendle

A friend sent me this video a few days ago, but I just watched it today. It reminded me of God’s response to Job in Chapter 39  and surrounding chapters of the Book of Job in which God talked about how He takes care of all the creatures He created. It also reminded me of the passage in Matthew 6: 25-34 in which Jesus tells His followers that if God cares for the beasts and plants of the field, He will care for them, too.

If you’re caring for a loved one, I hope this beautiful song and video are of some comfort. If I were still a caregiver, it would be a daily part of my life.

Thanks for sending this, Betsy.

Blessings,

Linda

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Nothin’ Says Lovin’… | by Linda Brendle

…like somethin’ from the oven. That’s the relationship advice we heard from the Pillsbury Doughboy, aka Poppin’ Fresh, beginning in the mid-60s. If you love someone, show them by baking something nice and fattening. That’s what I’m doing today. It’s David’s birthday, and I just put a three-layer German chocolate cake in the oven.  It’s his absolute favorite cake of all time.

The Stress Doesn’t Always Go Away When a Loved One Dies | by Linda Brendle

I recently came across an article in the New York Times originally posted on January 30 titled “For some Caregivers, the Trauma Lingers.” It was written by Judith Graham, and it’s about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in caregivers. Graham says there has been little research on the topic which, she thinks, means it has been overlooked or discounted. She goes on to list some of the typical symptoms of PTSD: flashbacks, feelings of numbness, anxiety, guilt, dread, depression, irritability, apathy, and tension among others.

Senior Humor – Edition 13 | by Linda Brendle

It’s cold and rainy here, so I thought a little humor might brighten my day. I hope it does the same for yours.

An irate elderly customer called the newspaper office, loudly demanding to know where her Sunday edition was.

“Ma’am,” said the employee, “today is Saturday. The Sunday paper won’t be delivered until tomorrow.”

There was quite a pause on the other end of the phone.

“Oh,” said the lady. “I’ll bet that’s why no one was in church today, too.”

What Is That? A Must See Video for Dementia Caregivers

I was planning another edition of senior humor today until I saw this video on Facebook. Mom, I’m sorry for the times I sat in this young man’s seat.

Top Ten Signs Your Healthcare Is in Trouble | by Linda Brendle

Just inside the door of the Senior Center are a couple of wire racks that are always full of various publications from Rains County and surrounding areas. One is a free advertising and humor paper called Giggles & Grins. I “borrowed” the following list from their latest issue:

 

You can tell your healthcare is in trouble when:

 

1. The only 100% covered expense is embalming.
2. Your anti-anxiety medication comes in colors and has little “m’s” on each pill.

Cross Generational Caregivers | by Linda Brendle

No generation gap here.

I’m at that age that some poetically call the Autumn of Life, and I’m approaching Winter more quickly than I care to admit. But whatever you call it, it’s a season when end of life issues demand more attention than they did in earlier years. I lost both my parents in the last two years, and I spend more time looking at sympathy cards than congratulation cards lately. We’ve had two deaths in our church family recently, and while the situations were very different in most ways, there was a similarity that is worth a little attention – cross-generational caregivers.