by
Rev. Marcia Howland
It is estimated that home-based family caregivers provide an unsung industry of $325 billion dollars in the United States. You likely know someone who is providing around the clock care without the benefits of financial assistance, self-care breaks, help with errands, professional medical home visits, emotional, social, or spiritual support. Below are a few hints I have compiled to help caregivers make it through their day. Give this list to them use to reduce stress and uplift the spirit. Loneliness: Make a small scrap book. Share it with your family.
Concern: Clip a news item. Discuss it with your family group or friend.
Boredom: Write down your activities. Invite someone over today.
Mischievous: Buy or make a gag gift. Give it to your “cared-for.”
Reward: Treat yourself. Visit with a neighbor for fifteen minutes.
Wonder: Write a paragraph about a memory. Story-share with a friend.
Ecstatic: Find an item of bright color. Talk about it with another person.
Shyness: Play a one person game. Invite friends to play table games.
Hope: Repeat one encouraging saying often. Share it with a friend.
Cautions: Listen to contrasting music. Form a kitchen band with others.
Anxious: Mold shapes with play dough. Display an art show for others.
Embarrassed: Mime that feeling with gestures. Act it out with your family.
Guilt: Walk 100 steps in place. Repeat aerobic exercises with someone.
Humor: Collect cartoons. Put the where visitors can see them.
Frustration: Shake a jar of dried beans. Bat a balloon in a friend-circle.
Love: Hug yourself if alone. Shake hands or hug someone else.
Overwhelmed: Overflow a cup of water in the sink. Delegate a task to someone.
Believe: Read an inspirational paragraph. Share a faith-idea with another person.
Exhaustion: Give yourself a time out. Let someone care while you sleep.
Sadness: Identify what is making you sad. Share it with a close friend.
Confusion: Make a list of pros and cons. Ask another person for a perspective.
Surprise: List unexpected happiness-makers. Share them with someone.
Confidence: Compare “wanted to do” with “did.” Tell someone what you did.
Worry: Wring a hand towel. Take a brisk walk with the dog.
Anger: Team newspaper. Verbalize the situation with a friend.
Fear: Shape a place of safety with cotton balls. Shop with family or a friend.
Depression: Find things colored blue. List and share good things that are blue.
Frightened: Turn out the lights. Turn them on and sit in your favorite chair.
Envious: Take initiative for respite. Go out with friends regularly.
Satisfied: Pat yourself on the back. Tell someone what a good job you did today.
