Tag: Caregiver

May – National Brain Tumor Awareness Month

May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

Over 10,000 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year in the United States and nearly 60,000 people when accounting for all primary brain and central nervous system tumors.

In recognition of National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, I am
donating $3 to the National Brain Tumor Society for every “Suddenly a Caregiver” paperback sold through Amazon and Createspace during the month of May 2013.

Q: Why are you only donating for sales through Amazon and Createspace?

A: I received reports in near real-time though the Amazon and Createspace sales channels. Other sales channels have reporting delays of up to three months.

 

Suddenly a Caregiver

 

 

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Tip for Caregivers – Take Care of Yourself Too!

Caring for someone that is seriously ill is difficult and time-consuming work. For the new caregiver, absorbing the new responsibility into an already busy life can be overwhelming. This article provides some advice about taking care of yourself to enhance your effectiveness as a caregiver and serves to reduce your stress at the same time.

Focus on Your Own Health and Well-being

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving report, about 17% of the caregivers reported a decline in their own health since the start of the caregiving. Just eight months into my caregiving experience, I suffered a heart attack. The event served to remind me of the need to care for myself. I recovered quickly from the heart attack but the event reminded me that I could not perform my care giving responsibilities properly if my own heath suffered. Therefore, it is important to underscore the need for caregivers to find the time to take care of your own physical and mental wellbeing. Ensuring your own health and well-being prevents you from becoming ineffective as a caregiver.

Time with Family and Friends

The caregiving report also revealed that over half of caregivers stated that caregiving reduced the time they spent with their family and friends. Those who sacrificed that time with family and friends reported a higher stress level than those who maintained their time with family and friends (47% compared to 14%). It is easy to withdrawal from friends and family during the caregiving experience because of the new demands on one’s life. However, as this study reports, withdrawing or minimizing time with family and friends can lead to increased stress levels.

Prolonged Stress and Burnout

Prolonged stress can lead eventually to burnout. Burnout is often associated with overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of detachment, and a sense of becoming ineffective. Anxiety and depression are common side effects reported by caregivers. Learning about stress and burnout along with the effects on your personal well-being are necessary for early recognition and application of preventative techniques or treatments. The caregiver role often includes riding the emotional roller coaster that results from stress and uncertainty about the future. For me, one beneficial technique was listening to friends and family. They often recognized or sensed the stress that I felt before I did. Listening, followed by actions to face and address the stress were critical to managing my personal well-being.

Find Time for Yourself

Finding time to care for yourself is a critical step toward maintaining your own well-being as a caregiver. What works for one person might not work for another so it is important that you find what works for you. Some people share that exercising, meditating, or listening to music provides the alone time needed to help relieve stress. Others share that going to the movies, taking walks, hiking, or going for a coffee with a friend provided the time needed to reflect on themselves. The bottom line is that you must find what works for you. Find some time for yourself to allow your own body and mind to recuperate and re-energize.

Caring for your own health and well-being is not a selfish act. Some believe that focusing solely on the needs of the care recipient is the noble and correct thing to do. However, a need for balance exists, especially in a prolonged caregiving situation. Caring for yourself is actually a selfless endeavor since taking care of yourself enables you to take care of your loved one more effectively than you could if you allowed stress to dominate your life.

References

National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (2009). Caregiving in the U.S. 2009). Retrieved from http://www.caregiving.org/pdf/research/Caregiving_in_the_US_2009_full_report.pdf

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Glioblastoma and Caregiver Internet Finds

Interesting articles related to glioblastoma and caregivers that I read this week.

Running for Jennie – Kristin Elmore

http://www2.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/2012/03/running-for-jennie.html

Kristin cared for her friend Jennie, who battled glioblastoma – a stage 4 brain tumor cancer. She was impressed by the courage and strength that Jennie displayed in her fight. I am encouraged to hear this theme on a frequent basis. I am strengthened to both witness and hear about such strength and courage. I am also grateful to hear of Jennie’s unselfish and fearless approach toward organ donation. I share a very similar story in my book Suddenly a Caregiver.

Understanding Glioblastoma, Part 1

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=466024256803333

Neuro-oncologist John de Groot, M.D., discusses the basics of glioblastoma, a malignant primary brain tumor, including risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis.

Understanding Glioblastoma, Part 2

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=466748153397610

MD Anderson neuro-oncologist John de Groot, M.D., explains treatment, clinical trials and research for glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor. He also offers advice.

Early Results of Activartis AV0113 Cancer Immunotherapy in Glioblastoma Trial Reveal Promising Trend

http://pipelinereview.com/index.php/2013041150680/Vaccines/Early-Results-of-Activartis-AV0113-Cancer-Immunotherapy-in-Glioblastoma-Trial-Reveal-Promising-Trend.html

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Caregiver Articles 8 Apr 2013

Four interesting articles about caregiving for 8 Apr 2013

An Open Letter to Men Who Are Caregivers
One man shares the personal character growth he experienced while caring for his wife, an Alzheimer’s patient.

Caregiving and Taxes
Amy Goyer provides some tips related to caregiving and taxes. I also provide some information in my book –Suddenly a Caregiver – about this topic in chapter 12 – Legal, Financial, and Insurance Issues. A little bit of organization and record keeping may lead to tax deductions that help offset the costs associated with caregiving.

Tips from Fellow Caregivers
Unfrazzle shares a list of tips from fellow caregivers to help alleviate the stress associated with caregiving.

Cancer Caregiver Roles – What you need to know
John J. Garnand, PhD, answers questions about his book.

self-care for caregivers: tips on balancing your own needs with those you care for
Kaitlyn Teabo reminds caregivers to take care of themselves by sharing three tips. “Find some time for yourself to allow your own body and mind to recuperate and reenergize. This is not a selfish act. It is selfless in the fact that taking care of yourself enables you to take care of your loved one more effectively than you could if you allowed stress to dominate your life” – from Suddenly a Caregiver, Chapter 14 Caregiver Stress and Burnout.

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Suddenly a Caregiver Special Discount through May 4, 2013

I am offering a special discount on the purchase of the book- Suddenly a Caregiver – now through May 4, 2013 for those who like this page.

Suddenly a Caregiver

Visit the Suddenly a Caregiver book page for additional details about the book.

Read reviews on Amazon.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=”JVKoWa3aRXA&rel=0″ width=”640″ height=”480″ anchor=”Watch Book Trailer”]
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Thank you for liking this page, the 50% discount details follow.

Paperback – 50% off retail at CreateSpace.

Order from CreateSpace and use discount code LTYC4WW9 when you check out, now through May 4, 2013.


eBook – 50% off retail at Smashwords

Visit Smashwords and use discount code AY56B through May 4, 2013.


Reading, Sampling and Buying Books on Smashwords

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