Those Who Also Care

Regular readers would know by now that at times I can probably rate as a world class cranky curmudgeon (curmudgeonly crank?) I reserve my rants for those people, products and services (government and otherwise) which inhibit the caregiver's ability to do their best for themselves and their loved ones.  (Okay, there  are some words and phrases that also regularly seem to bring out the uber-cranky in me.)   So it may surprise you when I admit to working with a built in pacifier in my arms. a fifteen pound canine pacifier.  You'd think it would be a challenge to get a good crank session going when most days,  I get to look down in my lap and see Morris snoring away. He is obviously wishing that the phone would stop ringing, I would stop moving around and generally the world would stop conspiring to interrupt his well deserved and frequent naps.  On a related note, I also feel that even a smidgeon of journalistic integrity demands I admit to my working conditions before continuing this column.  

As our good friend Dr. Bill Thomas has proven, pets can be life affirming to those living in long term care settings, yet they can also be of significant importance to our loved ones living at home. Over the past few years, I  have had many interesting conversations about caregiving in veterinarian's waiting rooms.  I had one such discussion recently with a long distance caregiver in town to visit his mother. He was around my age and told me that he had been in town for the past few days. During dinner with his mom the previous evening, he had asked her when she had last brought her beloved cat to the vet for a check-up.  He was surprised to hear the answer - four years ago.  She lives in a senior condominium where animals are prohibited, but the management looks the other way since almost every tenant has at least one cat in their window. Yet, she was afraid to bring her cat into the elevator for fear of discovery. He was glad to be of service and brought the cat to the vet the very next day because he knew that if anything happened to that cat, it would greatly affect his mother’s tenuous health. Thankfully, the cat was in good shape and was snuck back into his mom's apartment where he sits today in his very own windowsill.   The lesson I learned was that as we pay attention to our loved ones care, we need to be a caregiver to those who also care - their pets.

Don't miss the September / October issue of Today's Caregiver magazine which will feature the special section "Caregivers and Pets". 

Take care
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
 

Share The Gift of Support Customized Gift Subscription Cards A cost-effective and successful way to support your caregivers.
Today’s Caregiver magazine’s Gift of Support gift card subscription program is an easy and inexpensive way to recognize and support those caregivers for whom you care. The Gift of Support program will personalize your message on full color gift subscription cards, available in discounted quantities of 20 or more. Mail them directly to your caregiving friends and clients, present the cards in person at events or regular meetings or Today's Caregiver will even send them for you at a small additional charge. Now is the perfect time to send the gift that caregivers really need. A Gift of Support subscription to Today’s Caregiver magazine will be remembered and appreciated issue after issue. For more information on our gift card program, click here.
Today's Caregiver magazine Supports Your Conference
	Non-profit organizations: Contact us and we will provide complimentary magazines for your conference attendees.  All you pay is shipping and handling. Don't miss this opportunity! To sign up, click here.
Take a look.
Feature Article
Prescribing Off-Label: Cutting-Edge Awareness by Frances Maguire Paist, Staff Writer It has all the elements of a riveting read: politics, money, illness and conscience. Questions abound that encourage the reader to proceed with caution.....Continued
Additional Articles: Activities For People With Dementia by Jennifer Buckley It is universally recognized that elderly people with dementia lose their short term memory first and their long term memory last....Continued Before It’s Too Late: Planning for an Emergency by Hilary Gibson, Staff Writer Children are usually taught about fire safety and disaster preparedness in school.....Continued
Guest Column
What to do About Mom or Dad? by Cheryl Smith, MA You are managing your time pretty well—things are tight and there are activities you would like to add to your schedule, like a yoga class or a new hobby, but you just can’t juggle one more thing.  ...Continued
Caretips
Not Another Sleepless Night by Jennifer Buckley A typical day for a caregiver might include on-the-job stress in the morning, a rush to a doctor’s appointment for your mother at lunchtime and battling bottle necked traffic in the evening . ...Continued
Carenotes
I have been caring for my hubby for the 30 years we have been married. He was disabled when we married - a sweeter guy I've never seen. Now we have been told that he has terminal cancer. The past few months have been lots of ups and downs. First we were told that he had only two months left to live. He has been in hospitals and now rehab to build his strength up for total of past three months. Dr told me he will be coming home soon. The second Hospital removed a good size tumor from his bladder. It had not spread like they first thought. The Dr did say it is still terminal because that's not his only problem. His liver is already shot, congestive heart failure, bad kidneys, renal shutdown a few months ago, diabetes 2, among some of his health problems. He also is paralyzed on one side from an accident years ago. I also try my best, to care for one of my sons (40 yrs of age) who is disabled. No other family close by. I lost one of my sons (45 yrs of age) a year ago. The Drs and Nurses have been wonderful. All I'm asking is those of you who believe in prayer, would you remember my hubby next time you pray? I am a believer and still believe in miracles! Hope I haven't rambled on too much here. DJ Answer This Week's CareNote: carenotes/2007/index.htm
Caregiver.com Support Group Directory. Click here for information about any caregiver support groups in your area. Caregivers need your help. Please add information about your local support groups to our Support Group Directory. Include the name of the group, where and when it meets, city and state and support group leader contact information.
Have an idea for an article? We are always looking for contributing writers. For more information contact editor@caregiver.com Recommend Us Tell your friends about Caregiver.com!  If you have a friend who you think would benefit from our newsletter, complete and submit the form: http://www.caregiver.com/recommend/index.htm Subscription Information If you received caregiver newsletter and are not yet a subscriber, and would like to begin receiving a complimentary copy of your own, please click here. Unsubscribe To unsubscribe from caregiver newsletter, simply  click on the 'opt-out' link at the bottom of this newsletter.   Privacy Policy Privacy Statement http://www.caregiver.com/privacy/index.htm
Copyright © 1995-2007 Caregiver.com Inc., All rights reserved by Caregiver.com and its subsidiaries.