I Hoard It On The Grapevine

On my return home from the land of Lincoln last week, I started thinking about my lessons learned from the caregiving experts I met while in Nebraska - the family caregivers.  I was there last week to keynote two events held in the area.  I always think that any MBA types wanting to learn about the demo-psycho-social-markettrending- kind of stuff relating to caregiving only need to spend time listening to the family caregivers.  A few years ago, every time the topic of conversation in the Q and A sessions at our Fearless Caregiver Conferences came around to Senior Driving, all other talk came to a screeching halt.  Then a few years ago, the show-stopper was Medicare Part D and last week, I heard the first new attention grabbing topic of conversation in a long while. The subject was Compulsive Hoarding. 

According to WikiPedia, compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding) is a term which is used to describe extreme hoarding behavior in humans.  It involves the collection or failure to discard large numbers of objects even when their storage causes significant clutter and impairment to basic living activities such as moving around the house, cooking, cleaning or sleeping.

In the compulsive hoarding cases cited by members of the Lincoln audiences, the hoarders they were dealing with were mostly their senior loved ones.  This topic also caused one of my favorite moments at these events, which I call "Stump the Panel."  Although the experts on our panel were well-renowned and extremely knowledgeable, in this case the best responses actually came from the caregivers in the audience who have dealt with their loved ones compulsive hoarding.  One suggestion that seemed to work with a gentleman's father was organizing a session where his dad was able to take charge of the distribution of his hoarded goods to his family members.  Not only did this work well to help him in his move into assisted living, but the local Salvation Army recorded record donations that month. 

If you have any hoarding stories of your own, please don't hoard them from us.

Take care
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
 

Click here to register for our Fearless Caregiver Conference in  Palm Beach FL

Share The Gift of Support Customized Gift Subscription Cards A cost-effective and successful way to support your caregivers.
Today’s Caregiver magazine’s Gift of Support gift card subscription program is an easy and inexpensive way to recognize and support those caregivers for whom you care. The Gift of Support program will personalize your message on full color gift subscription cards, available in discounted quantities of 20 or more. Mail them directly to your caregiving friends and clients, present the cards in person at events or regular meetings or Today's Caregiver will even send them for you at a small additional charge. Now is the perfect time to send the gift that caregivers really need. A Gift of Support subscription to Today’s Caregiver magazine will be remembered and appreciated issue after issue. For more information on our gift card program, click here.
Today's Caregiver magazine Supports Your Conference
	Non-profit organizations: Contact us and we will provide complimentary magazines for your conference attendees.  All you pay is shipping and handling. Don't miss this opportunity! To sign up, click here.
There is a new book in our Book Club. Take a look.
Feature Story
The Value of Friendship By Marlene Pyle I’ve learned many things since I began taking care of my 85-year-old grandmother three years ago...Continued
Additional Articles: Take Time By Amy Kaser, RN As a Registered Nurse, my previous practice has been primarily focused on the individual with the disease process...Continued Those Inexplicable Instructions! By Dr. Barry Tepperman It happens to every caregiver. You're at the doctor's with your loved one. You and your loved one are both feeling well, ..Continued
Guest Column
When Depressed Husbands Refuse Help By Beverly Wax  To the outside world, Emme lived a charmed life.  She was a successful model, creative director of her own clothing line, a television host, lecturer, and mother of a beautiful baby girl. ...Continued
Caretips
Communicating with a Loved One By Ryan Mackey Here are some tips if you struggle talking to your loved one, or if you simply want to improve the connection you share with them.. ...Continued
Carenotes
Hello, I moved in with my mother about 4 ½ yrs ago.  I am single and my children are grown.  Mom had a blood clot in her leg and a near stroke about 4 ½ yrs ago.  Most of the time you hear about the parent moving in with the children but I did the opposite.  I do it all!  My brother lives in Grand Rapids and my two sisters are too busy working building for their future.  I have given up my life, so it seems and I did not realize how hard it would be.  My mom seems to control my every move down to knowing what I spend and how much I make.  She watches me like a hawk.  My question is how do I look out for my future?  The home is in my brother, two sisters, mine and also mom’s name.  I feel since I am the primary caregiver and no one else has the time to help,  the home place needs to be transferred over to me so I have a place to live after mom is gone.  Am I wrong?  She is 89 and in pretty good health now but cannot walk and is very fearful, so she could live another 5 yrs or so.  Mom says for me to move in with my children when she is gone.  Is it right that no one is helping me but they all get equal inheritance?  I am so worried about my future.  I am 60 yrs old and I get paid 25 hrs a week to care for mom but she feels since I live in her home that I owe it to her to be available 24/7 (because I live here).  I have NO life.  Is this fair or am I asking way too much? Thank you for any advice. D   Answer This Week's CareNote: carenotes/2007/index.htm
Caregiver.com Support Group Directory. Click here for information about any caregiver support groups in your area. Caregivers need your help. Please add information about your local support groups to our Support Group Directory. Include the name of the group, where and when it meets, city and state and support group leader contact information.
Have an idea for an article? We are always looking for contributing writers. For more information contact editor@caregiver.com Recommend Us Tell your friends about Caregiver.com!  If you have a friend who you think would benefit from our newsletter, complete and submit the form: http://www.caregiver.com/recommend/index.htm Subscription Information If you received caregiver newsletter and are not yet a subscriber, and would like to begin receiving a complimentary copy of your own, please click here. Unsubscribe To unsubscribe from caregiver newsletter, simply  click on the 'opt-out' link at the bottom of this newsletter.   Privacy Policy Privacy Statement http://www.caregiver.com/privacy/index.htm
Copyright © 1995-2007 Caregiver.com Inc., All rights reserved by Caregiver.com and its subsidiaries.