POD: Take A Class

I exhibited at the Triangle Caregivers Conference yesterday in Raleigh, NC, and in addition to the sessions on the business of caregiving and dementia care, there was a whole track of sessions on Self-care--exactly what we talk about here at 20 Mini-Vacations. My table neighbor in the exhibit hall was a gentleman from a wellness center that offers yoga classes, and that led me to this post.

A one-hour session of yoga with an experienced instructor is a great Pause-of-the-Day, and attending twice a week provides even more physical and psychological benefits. If yoga is not for you (I'm a Tai Chi person myself), then choose another physical activity where there is movement, interaction with people other than your elder or care team, and the chance to work off tension.

If you already have an exercise routine in place that works for you, consider one class in some area you'd like to explore--learn a language, woodworking, try out a new computer program, explore history, take up pottery creation. The important part is to remove yourself from the "caring environment"--in which, by the way, you are not personally receiving much care--and place yourself in a stimulating, distracting, and pleasurable environment where you get real relief and satisfaction.

Where do you find classes, even free or low cost? Check out the local university or community college; the city or county recreation and education departments; the newspaper; public bulletin boards at the library, shopping center, or market; ask your friends. Once you are tuned to this low-key search, you'll begin noticing POD class opportunities.

Have you taken your mini-vacation today? If not, right now is a great time.

Blessings on your caring--for YOU!

Power Tools Course

I have been impressed by the number of conferences and classes that exist to help caregivers find resources for their aging elders and care tools for ailing seniors to live more independently. There are fewer opportunities for caregivers to learn to care for themselves.

One of the classes that does focus on the caregiver's needs is "Powerful Tools for Caregivers". This class is a six-week educational program developed by Legacy Health System's Caregiver Services and provides family caregivers with the skills and confidence to better care for themselves while caring for someone with a chronic illness. Class members receive The Caregiver Helpbook as a take-home reference. Legacy Health reports that many class participants have fewer feelings of anger, guilt and depression and increased confidence in coping with the demands of caregiving. After attending you're also more likely to use community services that can help ease your burden. It's all good.

The topics covered during the program are:

• Taking Care of You;
• Identifying and Reducing Personal Stress;
• Communicating Feelings, Needs, and Concerns;
• Communicating in Challenging Situations;
• Learning From Our Emotions; and
• Mastering Caregiving Decisions.

The wonderful news is that many local councils, support groups and organizations are now arranging for this course to be offered around the country. Check with your local AARP chapter, Area Agency on Aging, caregiver support group or on the Internet to find out if there will be a class offered in your area. The course fee is small--usually between $10 and $25 for six weeks--but no one is turned away because of cost.

This is a great opportunity to learn some techniques for coping with stress, become more confident and find better balance in your life. If you learn of a session near you, I encourage you to attend.

Blessings on your caregiving day!

GOTM: Go Train a Dragon

For my birthday at the end of April, I saw one of the best movies to consider for a Gift-of-the-Month--"How To Train Your Dragon". Now, I do realize that this movie has moved to second tier movie theaters by now, but if it is still in the theaters, go now! What a wonderful getaway to a far away place with a heartwarming, sophisticated tale of a young man's discovery of his full potential. It's in 3-D, but we saw it without the 3-D effect and it was still a visual delight and fun to experience. And we didn't even need to borrow children to take with us; there were plenty of unaccompanied grown-ups in the audience.

That's what a GOTM is all about. Floating in another world outside reality for a few hours. Movies are a great way to immerse yourself in an enjoyable experience and let the everyday cares go for just a while.

Don't forget the movie alternatives: renting a DVD, movies on demand on cable, movies by mail, movies on computer. If you can't make it to the theater, use an in-home alternative. But remember, your choice of film and no interruptions (turn down the lights and turn off the cell phone, just like you were in the theater!).

Have you planned your GOTM yet for May? What did you do? Was it relaxing enough to encourage you to plan for another? If you've let the month slip by, don't worry. Plan for June. It's the begnning of the summer movie season, so lots of good films arriving weekly. Check them out.

The Need a Smile Folder

I had a wonderful time at the Golden Jubilee exhibition yesterday and encourage all of you again to explore the conferences and exhibits in your local area. Often your local Office on Aging or the Area Agency on Aging will have information about local meetings where eldercare providers show off their services and where you can gather information.

While I was away, I received an e-mail from my sister which contained a half-dozen cartoons featuring Maxine, the crusty senior citizen who tells it like it is and makes me laugh out loud. It was one of my mini-vacations for the day--and a delightful one. I immediately saved that e-mail in a folder called "Need a Smile?". There are about 20 e-mails stored there, some funny, some inspirational, all sent by friends near and far who were thinking of me and sent me their good wishes. I do receive humor that doesn't make me laugh and some inspirational pieces that are too sappy for my taste, so I save only the "best" (my personal judgment) in the Need a Smile folder.

I know of other people who do the same thing in paper by cutting out articles and cartoons from magazines or newspapers and keeping them handy when life feels particularly rough. It only takes one or two of these to make the day a little brighter.

If you don't have a Need a Smile folder, start one today. Electronic, paper or both. Then when you need that mini-vacation, you have a good laugh or inspiration right there.

Blessings on your caregiving!

GOTM: Local Conferences

Last year around this time, I encouraged you to check out the caregivers conferences and workshops in your area (Caregivers Conferences). Although these conferences do focus on eldercare, they let you "get away" for a few hours to plan, think and absorb new information in a new environment. So I class these as a Gift-of-the-Month.

In the Triangle area of North Carolina, we're blessed to have several conferences throughout the year. I've been extra busy this week preparing to meet some of you at the:

Golden Jubilee
Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Time: 9AM - 1PM
Where: Jim Graham Building, NC Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC
Sponsored by : Resources for Seniors

AARP has a powerful workshop called Prepare To Care (contact your local AARP chapter for times and locations); and the Triangle Caregivers Conference will be held on Tuesday June 22, 2010. And check out the Alzheimer's Association for their workshops and booklets.

Join me at the Jubilee.

Blessings on your caregiving!