Lifestyle

Many people have been caregivers at one point or another but often don’t see themselves as such. The term “caregiver” can sound a bit formal or like it’s a specific job title when most people who are caregivers say they are just doing what is right, being helpful, or fulfilling their responsibilities as a family member. A caregiver is a person who helps another with any of these: providing or coordinating transportation; buying or organizing medications; taking care of money; making meals; monitoring medical conditions; making medical appointments; talking with health care professionals; helping with activities of daily living such as getting dressed, taking a bath or shower, eating and using the toilet. Caregiving may be short term, like helping a neighbor after a surgery, or longer term such as when a spouse has dementia. Most caregivers have no formal training and don’t feel prepared.

In the five counties Prairie Five covers, we are fortunate to have a number of people who are able to present Dementia Friends, the educational session which gives a wonderful overview of memory loss and how each of us can make a difference for those touched by this disease. When I began presenting these sessions in 2019, I realized that there was a desire and need for more information on memory loss. Upon contacting the Alzheimer’s Association to see what sort of educational options they had available, I learned there was no one from our region on their Speakers Team.

In my last article, I shared that 90 percent of communication is based on body language and tone of voice, rather than the words that are spoken. It reminded me of when I directed One Accord years ago– and after a typical Sunday service, I was always on a mission to catch someone. I always had a list of people to talk to or “kids to catch” in that short time frame between church services and Sunday School. I remember one adult told me later that during these “missions” my body language suggested to her that I was upset as I wasn’t smiling and/or greeting people as I normally did. I was shocked, yet saddened to learn that that was her perception! I can attest 100% that I wasn’t upset – I was just on a mission!

Lori PetersenMontevideo Area Memory Loss Network (MAMLN) I recently read that 90 percent of communication is based on body language and tone of voice, rather… Login to continue reading Login…

Lori PetersenMontevideo Area Memory Loss Network (MAMLN) As we near the end of another year, it amazes me how quickly time flies by. When we… Login to continue reading Login…