We all need something to uplift us when we’re discouraged in life and with the frustrations of caring for an Alzheimer’s patient.  One of the places I’ve found for “feel good” or thought provoking moments is Nancy Kirk’s The Monday Minute.  You have the choice of listening to it or reading it. 

Nancy is a quilter who specializes in quilt and fabric dating as well as quilt restoration.  However, her inspiration and philosophy will uplift anyone. 

I subscribe to her e-mail newsletter, so each Monday receive her tidbit of inspiration… often when I’m struggling to keep inspired.  This week she mentions Pretty Good Observations and the idea of jotting them down in a notebook.

This is something I’d been doing, along with jotting down fun and inspirational quotes, then I slacked off.  Nancy has me thinking about it again.  Even just rereading favorite quotes and observations uplifts one’s thoughts and mood.  I must find my notebook!

What do you do to sustain you during “down times” in life?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

When Caregivers Are “Down,” What Do They Do?

With the beginning of September and the youngsters in our household  back in school, our thoughts turn to autumn.  Often there’s a nip in the air at night which reminds us fall is “around the corner.”

The Arts Bloggers share their weekly inspiration which I thought I’d share with you.  My mom, during her Alzheimer’s years, used to like to sit and watch me when I worked at crafts or my writing.  Sometimes she’d chat and reminisce.  Other times she simply sat contentedly…at least for a short time.

Crocheted baby sweater and cap
Caron Yarns commissioned Noreen to design an adorable baby sweater and cap. Here’s the patttern for it.  Congratulations, Noreen!
Photo Talk at Layers Upon Layers
Give your photos a graphic quality that will make them pop!

Make a Very Personal Gift with Scrap Girls Products
What more personal gift could you make for a friend or loved one than one which memorializes a major accomplishment?

Metamorphosis
A fun visual journal prompt in your journal writing.

Stretch the Baking Soda Box to the Freezer
Simple and money-saving reuse for your spice jars.

Yard Sale Quilters
Quilters frequently visit yard sales to find items, at reasonable prices, they can recycle for their art. Mary Emma (from Quilting and Patchwork) enjoys meeting and helping them at her yard sales.
Tip of the day – dealing with small sewing machines
Trying to repair clothing on a small sewing machine can be tricky.  Chloe shares some of her tips for making your job easier. 

ENJOY!

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Arts Blogger Inspiration for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

As youngsters get ready to return to school (and some schools already have started), there may be apprehension.  Grace at  Kids Health Notes has some tips and resources for parents and children that may help make this day easier and even enjoyable. 

Do you have any suggestions or helpful resources for going back to school that work in your home?  Do you have any extra juggling because you have an Alzheimer’s family member in your home?

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Back-to-School Tips for Caregivers & Kids

The giveaway for Heartwarmers of Spirit - Trimuphs Over Life’s Challenges is nearing an end over at my Quilting and Patchwork blog.  It will close Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 11:59 PM (eastern).  If you’d like a chance for this uplifting anthology, in which I have a story, be sure to get your comment at the end of the above post (click on the giveaway link above).

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Last Call for Giveaway at Quilting & Patchwork

Tea time is a sharing time so I’ll be sharing my thoughts and those of readers who contribute through their comments.  We’re sitting down to a “virtual” tea party and finding encouragement from one another in the Alzheimer’s caregiver journey.

Dixie left this message, and I think many of you can relate:

I am a nurse at an Alzheimer’s Care facility.
I see the daily struggles and heartache that families go through. I have always thought that Alzheimer’s is one of the diseases that affects the whole family-perhaps more so than any other, on so many levels.  

It is true that Alzheimer’s affects family members differently and on many levels.  Each one struggles with this illness in their own way.  It’s also comforting to realize that nurse caregivers, like Dixie, have an understanding of what families are going through and thus can help them cope.

Join our tea parties and share with us in the comments below.

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Tea Time at Alzheimer’s Notes – Caregivers Sharing

Periodically I receive questions from readers.  I find that readers with experience in different aspects of Alzheimer’s research and caregiving may have the answers.

Here is a question from Kathy.  It’s an interesting one:

I heard that you should not wear white when dealing with Alzheimer’s patients as they have a tough time distinguishing your outline and may perceive a visitor at first glance as only a head without a body. Is this true?

If anyone has an answer for Kathy, do leave a comment!

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Question from an Alzheimer’s Notes Reader

Caregivers, after all, are at great risk of back injury and would find this book useful for learning more about how to prevent and manage back pain.

Christine has been kind enough to write a guest post for Alzheimer’s Notes looking at ‘Three Tips for Avoidng Caretaker Injuries’.

The upcoming Olympic Games should inspire everyone to exercise and use proper body mechanics. These athletes compete at a high level and that requires them to take care of their bodies. Taking care of someone else requires you, as a caretaker, to tend to your own body. If you start to experience aches and pains, then tasks become difficult or impossible to complete. Preventing injuries can be as simple as remembering some basic rules of body mechanics: bend your knees, move your feet, and keep the elbows close. This simple strategy not only helps athletes perform at a higher level, but can also help caretakers avoid being sidelined.

• Bend Your Knees: Physically assisting a person out a low position and picking up something below the level of the waist are both scenarios which are best done with bent knees. Bending the knees allows the powerful muscles in the legs to support you; otherwise, the vulnerable back muscles bear the brunt of the work. The optimal position for these tasks is a squat position with the feet shoulder width apart, the knees bent, and the butt out. Weight lifters are the best ones to watch for learning this technique for squatting. Get into the habit of bending your knees and you will be able the assist people for many happy years.
• Move Your Feet: The body is naturally programmed to conserve energy which means that bending, twisting and reaching come naturally while moving the feet requires some thought. The feet transport the body. By placing your body closer to the objective like a glass of water on the other side of the bed, your shoulders and back are less likely to become injured than if you were to reach over that bed. Moving your feet uses more energy, but also gives you a mechanical advantage. Tennis players are always moving their feet because reaching for the ball just does not allow them to strike it with power. Unleash your feet and you will unleash your power.
• Keep Your Elbows Close: The shoulders are in a powerful, protected position when the elbows are close to the body. If the elbows are flapping in the breeze like chicken wings, the shoulder tendons (collectively called the rotator cuff) are at high risk for injury. Swimmers are commonly afflicted with shoulder pain which is why they are trained to keep their elbows close to their body. This technique allows for a more powerful stroke and protects the shoulders. Next time you make someone’s bed or do some laundry, try keeping your elbows by your side because that minimizes the risk of shoulder injuries.

Physical fitness does not win medals; body mechanics are the key to the podium. Understanding how to put your body in a powerful, protected position is the best way to control how you physically perform. Both caretakers and athletes need physical conditioning and proper body mechanics. Knees, feet, and elbows all play a critical role in preventing disabling injuries. Physical capability is a matter of strategically using these parts of the body. By remembering some simple rules and nurturing yourself, you will be able to continue nurturing others.

(Christina Lasich, M.D, is a concerned physician who suffers from spine pain herself. She has practiced in the area of spine rehabilitation for more than 10 years and is an award-winning graduate from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. Although she focuses on back, neck and other musculoskeletal injuries, she also meets the rehabilitative needs of people with spinal cord injuries, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, muscular dystrophies, ALS, multiple sclerosis, amputations and other painful conditions. Dr. Lasich is the author of High Heels to Hormones: A Woman’s Guide to Spine Care.)

Post from: Blisstree

Guest Post: Three Tips for Avoiding Caretaker Injuries by Christine Lasich, M.D.

Have you considered a home business so you can afford to stay home to care for your Alzheimer’s family member?  Perhaps you already have one.  Are you knowledgeable about home business taxes?

Jean Murray, at Small Business Boomers, has a great post with information and resources concerning what the IRS (Internal Revenue Service in the US) considers a true business. You might like to check out her, Boomers Retiring to “Fun” Businesses: Is birdwatching a business?

She mentions some of the criteria the IRS uses to determine whether you’re entitled to deduct your losses from the business you’re operating or starting up.

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Are You Considering a Home Business to Afford Caregiving? Here are tax tips.

Christmas in July has become a popular event, whether you’re doing crafts, desiring an outing to a holiday shop (they’ve become very popular and often carry many other craft items), or simply want to start preparing early so your life doesn’t become too frantic in December with balancing caregiving responsibilities with family activities.

At my Quilting and Patchwork blog, I’ve been participating in a Christmas in July series with other bloggers, posting something about the holiday season every few days.  Here are some of the posts if you’d like to check them out for ideas and information.

13 Holiday Recipes for Quilters to Enjoy

7 Quilted Christmas Gift Projects for Youngsters

Quilters, What Colors for Christmas?

5 Christmas in July Ideas for Quilters

Christmas in July as Quilters Get Early Start on the Holidays

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Get Ready for Christmas in July?

 Your Alzheimer’s parent or spouse requires more and more care, so you find it difficult to juggle caregiving and your job.  Or you simply need extra income to pay the additional bills caregiving entails.

If you’re considering online or eBay businesses, check out the helpful information at the new blog at b5media’s Business Channel, eShopOwner.com, by Suzanne Wells.

Suzanne has a number of posts concerning the in’s and out’s about setting up an eBay store. She does this in the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) format.

For instance, in FAQ#1, Suzanne discusses, What Should I Sell?, and differentiates between the hobby and serious eBay business owner. She also touches upon her experience as an eBay business owner.

Keep tuned to eShopOwner and you’ll discover a great deal of information about operating an “e” business in today’s Internet world.Incidentally, there  is an introduction to Suzanne and her blog by Business Channel CE, Kelly Erb, b5media Goes Online Shopping.

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Tags: eBay, eBay business, eBay business owner, eBay shopping, Emma, eShopOwner, home-+-biz-+-notes, home-business, Mary Allen, Mary-+-Emma-+-Allen, online business, online sales

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

For Alzheimer’s Caregivers Considering an At-Home or eBay Income