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Thursday March 22, 2012 - Issue #581

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From The Editor

Spring has Sprung

Each year around this time since 2001, we start sharing your respite solutions in anticipation of our annual Summer of Respite campaign.

As we are one season away from our twelfth Summer of Respite, it occurs to me that respite is like exercise (even if all you do is sit in the yard reading a pot-boiler book). Respite resembles exercise in that the more you do, the better it works for you. So, I got to wondering, just how much are we exercising our respite muscles, anyway?

If you would take a moment to indulge me, the responses just may surprise us all, pleasantly or otherwise.

When did you last take time for yourself and what did you do?

Take Care

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

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Feature Article
Understanding Overactive Bladder
By Cheryl Ellis Staff Writer “When you gotta go, you gotta go” has been an age old saying.  These days, with our knowledge of medicine, we have...continued
Guest Column
Planning For the Future with a Special Needs Child - Part 1 The Child’s Long-Term Needs
By Harry S. Margolis and Eric Prichard As if the job of being a caregiver for a special needs child is...continued
Caretips
Elimination of Adult Day Health Care Services and the Impact on Long-Term Care Planning
By Sara Polinsky, Esq. As an Elder Law Attorney, I often meet with families and caregivers to help them create a plan for the future care of a sick or ...continued Share your tip, advice, resource or observation. http://www.caregiver.com/sharing_wisdom/index.htm
Sharing Wisdom
From Therese in Los Angeles Use the brown commercial paper towels to bathe a loved one after using the bathroom, especially after a bowel movement. These paper towels are much gentler and softer when wet than wash cloths. Soak the towels in soapy water in a plastic basin and keep a plastic trash bin nearby for discards. From Robin in Boise, Idaho I am now the primary caregiver to our mother who has dementia. She has been living with my husband and me for four years. I attend a bi-monthly AD support group which helps me focus on the disease aspect and remember that certain behaviors are not intentional, to keep my perspective, and to give value to caregiving. Few, if any, are truly prepared to become full-time care providers. It is very challenging, time consuming, and requires commitment and courage to continue 24/7.  I've learned that self-care is something you must do, no matter how exhausted one becomes. It is not being selfish to make yourself a priority. If you are not in a good place, it is impossible to be an effective caregiver. It took me three years to really understand how critical it is to care and value myself and to assign value to the contribution I make on a daily basis. Many friends, family members and community have little regard for what a family caregiver lives through; they think that they have an idea, but few do, unless they have walked this path. Energy is a precious commodity in caregiving. I no longer spend my energies trying to explain this aspect to family and friends. I now give that energy to myself and I am better for it. Post your comment on this topic here. The best ideas and solutions for taking care of  your  loved one often come from other caregivers.  Please post your ideas and insights and we will share them with your fellow caregivers. http://www.caregiver.com/sharing_wisdom/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: 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 'manage your subscription' link at the bottom of this newsletter.   Privacy Policy Privacy Statement http://www.caregiver.com/privacy/index.htm
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Inside This Issue:

From the Editor

Spring has Sprung

Feature Article

Understanding Overactive Bladder
Guest Column

Planning For the Future with a Special Needs Child - Part 1

Caretips

Elimination of Adult Day Health Care Services and the Impact on Long-Term Care Planning
Sharing Wisdom

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Let's Talk 
Mar/apr 2012

Let's talk about medical alert systems Do they really help? Are they worth it? What experiences can you share?

Share your story

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Digital version of print magazine Jan/Feb 2012

POST YOUR
 CAREGIVING
TIPS HERE

Educate yourself & other caregivers on any medication given to a loved one. The internet is wonderful to help you...continued

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The Caregiver.com Newsletter Archive has a wealth of great articles and highlights from our  many Fearless Caregiver Conferences featuring celebrity keynote speakers such as... Clay Aiken, Clay Walker and more.

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