YOUR CREATIVE CHORD
  • Home
    • RESOURCES >
      • Self-Care Resources
      • Music Resources
      • Pool & Outdoor Resources
    • AUDIO PODCAST
    • Contact
    • SIGNUP HERE!
  • ABOUT
  • PIANO
  • CREATIVITY
    • COMPOSING
    • COMPOSER INTERVIEWS
  • CAREGIVER
  • SPIRITUAL WELLNESS

5 Ways to Master Caregiver Learning Curve

11/1/2018

0 Comments

 
Caregiver for my aging mother, mother-daughter, my caregiving roleAuthor, Composer, Enterpreneur Jenny Leigh Hodgins and her mother, Minva Gayle Hodgins, 2017
(This piece originally appeared at TheCaregiverSpace.org )
By Jenny Leigh Hodgins

I segued into the role of caregiver for my aging parent quicker than expected. Last year, I left my 30-year career, and sold my Florida home to move back to Kentucky as my mother’s caregiver. I planned to be in place well ahead of need, while I transitioned to working remotely as a freelancer.



1. LIFE’S CURVEBALLS AND SLEDGEHAMMERS
Things don’t always go according to plan. Life hits with big moments whenever it damn well feels like it. Like many adult children, I face the bittersweet reality of being a caregiver to my parent before either of us are ready. I thought I’d have time to ease into the role, but sometimes health issues pop up or wallop like a sledgehammer.

What a wake-up call, being there when Mom is ill, pained face, weak and trembling, incoherent and out-of-it. Alone in that moment, feeling the full burden of being responsible for her well-being can be an enormously scary place. Facing the impending reality of that final chapter in the cycle of life is not for sissies.

​
The foreign world of medical terms, insurance and co-pays, increasingly hectic medical appointment schedule, and daily living responsibilities can add up to an overwhelming mountain of pressure. I hadn’t anticipated how my own daily rhythm would be derailed, interrupted or flat-out sacrificed at times.

2. GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE
The learning curve comes swiftly, so I’ve found it best to get my game plan in place, and build my life-state to be ready to play. I’ve discovered the importance of taking care of myself. Putting that oxygen mask on myself first enables me to ward against getting overwhelmed or sick, and be better prepared emotionally, spiritually and practically as caregiver.


3. GET YOUR GAME ON
That means I have to protect my daily rhythm. To be effective in my work as a writer and composer, as a caregiver, and more balanced in my wellness, I have to establish ‘me time’. I rise early to pray, eat and have uninterrupted workflow when I function at my best.

I schedule exercise later in the day to maintain my energy. I use my smartphone calendar app to send me alerts so I stay, or get back on, task. Mapping out my own daily schedule and preserving it as best I can keeps me on top of things and less overwhelmed when Mom’s needs arise.


4. PLAN TO BE THERE IN ADVANCE
I’m grateful to have already settled in, so I’m here when Mom needs me. Not having to rush from another state, or even across town, or leave my workplace, is one load of worry off our minds. My being in place takes some burden off my other family members who don’t have the liberty of leaving jobs, children or properties.


5. TEAM HUDDLE
Keeping open communication with Mom and family members about her health, financial and social needs, as well as legal plans, distributes the caregiving load and assures Mom that we are onboard and unified to uphold her wishes. Getting things in place beforehand helps alleviate worry from all. This attempt to keep all in the loop brings us closer in harmony to one another. For the caregiver, that support from family team players is indispensable to peace of mind, providing further strength for the tasks ahead.


6. KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW
Getting to know my mother’s daily rhythm gives me knowledge useful for effective emergency response. Being familiar with her usual mannerisms, daily lifestyle, energy, verbal and cognitive responses makes it easy to recognize when something isn’t right.

Paying attention to symptoms early on allows early detection and an upper hand in maintaining her wellness. Knowing her doctors, appointments, medications, and health issues is powerful ammunition against mishaps, and preventative against health problems that could run undetected.


ENDGAME
The role of caregiver can present itself sooner than anticipated, bringing unexpected, new challenges. But I’m finding that having a game plan, a great team that communicates well, a strategy for maintaining my wellness, and tackling challenges with gusto allows me to respond well even to the hardest curveball. ​



Feel free to SHARE this with others who may benefit from this info! 
You can also find me on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook!

Get more inspiring content when you signup for the mailing list at YourCreativeChord!

RESOURCES:
Caregiver Smartphone Apps:
Best Calendar Apps
10 Daily Apps to Help Caregivers
Best Apps for Caregivers

Free Downloadable Forms:
Power of Attorney Form
Will Form
Advance Directive Forms
National Association of Attorneys General 202-326-6000 Email: feedback@naag.org

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    CAREGIVER

    In my Caregiver blogs, you'll find I understand the internal struggles and daily stress as a caregiver juggling entrepreneurial life.

    ​Based on my experiences, I offer a clear guide for developing positive self-care while transforming stress into powerful spiritual wellness.

    Archives

    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018

    Categories

    All
    Aging
    Aging Parent
    Aging Well
    Appreciation
    Breathe
    Caregiver
    Caregiver Support
    Caregiver Wellness
    Caroling
    Chorus
    Christmascarols
    Copingwithstress
    Family
    Generation
    Health
    Health And Wellness
    Helpforcaregivers
    Holidaymusic
    Holidays
    Kilimanjaro
    Kwaanza
    Making Time
    Mind Body Spirit
    Mother Daughter
    Mountain Climbing
    Music
    Musiclistening
    Music Therapy
    Nature
    New Caregiver
    Poet
    Poetic
    Poetic Life
    Poetry
    Poetslife
    Rejuvenate
    Selfcare
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Self-care Benefits
    Self Soothe
    Seniorliving
    Spiritual Wellness
    Stress
    Summer Fun
    Surviving
    Swimming Pool
    Swimming Pool Fun
    Therapy
    Volunteer
    Wellness

    RSS Feed

Creative Strategies

Piano
Creativity
Caregiver
Spiritual Wellness

YourCreativeChord

About

Support

Terms of Use
​Contact

Resources

Pool & Outdoor
Music
Self-Care 
© COPYRIGHT 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
    • RESOURCES >
      • Self-Care Resources
      • Music Resources
      • Pool & Outdoor Resources
    • AUDIO PODCAST
    • Contact
    • SIGNUP HERE!
  • ABOUT
  • PIANO
  • CREATIVITY
    • COMPOSING
    • COMPOSER INTERVIEWS
  • CAREGIVER
  • SPIRITUAL WELLNESS