My social media videos address questions I receive from fellow family caregivers and caregiver organizations on issues faced during our caregiving experience. In this new Caregiver Insights section, you’ll have access to the videos having the greatest inquiries. And, to make navigation easier, videos are placed within 5 topic categories. This section will be frequently updated for you. If you have questions or comments, please email me anytime at Victor@caringtoday.com
The mask we wear is not the issue. It is not knowing it’s on that can effect our well-being.
Family caregivers can have a several masks to hide and protect ourselves. We can wear a mask that helps our fear, perhaps another one our vulnerabilities. However, regardless of our masks we have darn good idea of who we really are under them.
If we’re not honest with ourselves, the dissonance between the two can lead to emotional upheaval.
22 years ago, I became a family caregiver. I was overwhelmed and I went to my comfort zone, which was holding on to everything tightly in an effort to keep everyone safe and as normal as possible. This worked until it DIDN’T!!
I wish I would have known the “critical” importance of social connection and engagement with others.
A wonderful and yet simple piece of advice I heard was to have the most fulfilling experience with your loved one “meet them where they’re at”.
In others words accept the situation as it is and have the deepest experience possible given the circumstances. Don’t disengage by emotionally and mentally drifting to the better times of the past or projections of the future.
I recently read an article on @AARP which reminded me of the unselfishness of our family caregiver community.
This is a generous group of people, they seem to readily offer their hand to help others, yet many times they are not there for themselves.
Take a look at this video and learn the areas that family caregivers can focus on to quickly elevate their lives.
I’ve found that implementing the concept of Active Listening is a great way to become an effective listener and communicator. Becoming a good active listener is straightforward – and with practice, I think you will see a big difference in the way you positively connect with loved ones, family members, and friends!
Have you ever tried active listening in your caregiving communication? If so, has it made a difference in the way you connect with those around you?
As family caregivers, the importance of effective, respectful communication can’t be understated. What makes communications most effective is the ability to be a good listener. Let’s better understand how we can sometimes unintentionally fall short as listeners and the impressions this can leave.
