Care Partner Corner
“Patience takes root when we learn to love people just as they are, not as we want them to be. Patience accepts the other person even when he or she acts differently than I would like.” Love is Patient, But I’m Not Christopher West
1. New: ZOOM SHARING GROUP MEETINGS FOR CARE PARTNERS ONLY
Because we have had little time for the usual sharing during this pandemic, we are offering an opportunity via Zoom for the Care Partners to share with others. It is a meeting open specifically for care partners . Below are the dates and information you need to enter the Zoom meeting. For each date, the link noted below is the same.
Jul 21, 2021 01:00 PM
Aug 18, 2021 01:00 PM
Sep 15, 2021 01:00 PM
Oct 20, 2021 01:00 PM
Nov 11, 2021 01:00 PM
Dec 9, 2021 01:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting Link (Click in the middle of the link below; then click on the address after "Go to link" to open and join the meeting.)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88139254858?pwd=NUQyRHNRZUUwOTBnT25oamtrOE1Bdz09
2. How to Gather more Peace in Your Life. Sections I-IV
Section I. (from Dr. Peter Cuomo, Neuropsychologist)
-Be patient—wait for the person to respond. After a few minutes, you might ask in a different way, with simpler phrasing, or even with pauses between your phrases giving the person a chance to take in the idea. Complex ideas are difficult for the PD patient.
-Give prompts, cues, reminders. Add a large calendar to the refrigerator, hang signage noting each day of the week on the knob of a cupboard or drawer, ask questions.
-Simplify choices or options. Offer no more than 2 options at times. Or even ask "yes" or "no" questions. "Do you want ham for dinner?" "Do you want to go for a walk?"
-Avoid confrontation . This is not easy. If the conversation escalates, try shifting topics. Then forgive youself for losing control. You are only human.
-Reminding the patient of what he should do, such as "stand up straight, swallow more", etc, sounds helpful, but more peace on both sides could be had if the carepartner did not nag, even with the best intentions. It is hard not to, but just let it go. It's a responsibility the care partner does not have to carry.
Section II (from Parkinson’s Disease 300 Tips by Shelley Schwarz)
Be encouraging: Whether it’s getting the person with Parkinson (PWP) to exercise, eat, dress or do any other activity, have a positive, patient and encouraging attitude. Allow the PWP to do as much for herself/himself as possible. Squelch the tendency to jump up and do a task because you do it faster and more efficiently. (p.7)
Section III
(from An Unlikely Gift, by Nancy Alexander. )
1. Meet your PWP where they are. It is not easy. “We don’t want to see them there. They don’t want to be there. But that is where they are. We must stop forcing what we so desperately want, some semblance of normalcy, on them.” Normalcy is no longer an option. (p. 55)
2 Routines are important whenever possible. “The more you can keep things the same, with the same routine, the better for” both PWP and the care partner. (pp. 57-58)
3. “Talk slowly and calmly” using a simple one-direction-at-a-time method. Too much information too quickly is overwhelming.” A PWP needs more time to process. Also, speaking more calmly decreases anxiety. (pp. 58-59)
4. Take care of yourself: (p. 60-63)
a. Be with others.
b. Join a support group.
c. Exercise.
d. Embrace humor.
e. Celebrate the good times.
f. Sleep (Research ways that could be helpful.).
g. Meditate.
**Care partners, don’t be too hard on yourselves; this approach is not easy. It’s a process with a steep learning curve for some of us. We weren’t trained for this.
Section IV: INSPIRATION
The following two poems were read by Dr. Fred Marshall at John Paul's memorial service, offering insight into life's struggles, Please, download the attachment below to read the poems.
fred_marshall_poems.pdf
