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Caergivers: What's Your Wellness Plan?
Hi Mayo World!
We are all told ad nauseum that we must practice self-care and take care of ourselves, and we all know this is true. And, we all know it's easier said than done.
In the working world we've learned that making a goal and a plan will help ensure success in your endeavors. So... we must all formally make a little plan to care for ourselves. Do you want to write down your plan? Do you want to tell someone else? This is supposed to increase the chance it will happen if you have accountability.
I added a photo of two of my little helpers. My former supervisor gave me wellness dice as a reminder to practice self-care. I found some de-stress tea at the store and thought I'd give it a try.
We can't always get respite, and the cavalry is indeed not coming, so we're probably on our own figuring out how to care for ourselves while caring for our loved ones. It doesn't always have to be something big, just a little something to remind you how important you are.
Good luck, and remember to look out for #1 (you!).
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This weekend I got a taste of why you definitely need a wellness plan, I was trying to get my weekly shopping done and literally ended up on the floor of Krogers. Employees were great , got me a chair and OJ I was soon fine. All the time thinking about “what if I had to go to the hospital?” I spend so much time trying to make him comfortable and happy I forgot about me. We have no family here and he refuses to move back to where they are. So now I’m trying to find a couple of friends we could call in a emergency and also making sure I eat
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7 Reactions@kjc48
I am requesting reservations for this evening at Karla's restaurant; 6 p.m. is great. 😋
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4 Reactions@akela09
Poor thing! Yes, look out for #1. So very sorry that happened. It did shed a light on the importance of an emergency 'what if' plan.
Take care, now. 🤗
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4 Reactions@jenniferkr Grilling isn't my forte' either, and yes, a thermometer is a must have. Although I have trouble with those tricky little devils. Hats off to you, I'm not a baker, so I'm impressed you are. I'm glad you're making a new dish every week, I think cooking is good for the soul, baking, kneading bread, shaping scones. I love that. For now, I see my husband light up when I put this dish on the table. He always eats everything on his plate. Funny, I don't remember him doing that before the MCI diagnosis. He was pickier with chicken, etc., now he chows down on the cordon bleu, like it's the best dish he's every eaten. Too funny. We just take every small success, during the day, and are thankful we at least have a few.
Best, Karla
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4 Reactions@judimahoney Anything for you........your friendship and chef-satchel of sage advice.
Best, Karla
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2 Reactions@akela09 Eat and sleep, that's a priority for a caregiver so you don't land on the floor at Krogers. Glad you're okay and you had Kroger's help. It's easy to forget about "us" but you are right, "what if we had to go the hospital." A good reminder for all of us to take care of you.
Best, Karla
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4 Reactions@akela09 I've just spent about 4 months obsessing over what arrangements to make for my husband if something were to happen to me. After rejecting most choices as not a good fit, out doctor volunteered that he would refer my husband to "palliative care ". This program has someone come to our home and do an intake interview and then send a nurse as often as necessary to see how we are getting along. If something were to happen to me, they would have someone check on my husband until family could arrive from out of town or put him in a respite care bed in the hospital until help could arrive. They could train the family on how to manage his diabetes etc. This has been a tremendous load off my mind.
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3 Reactions@kjc48 cooking is an escape for me too. For me, I like to start with a bunch of ingredients, usually fresh veggies. It does my heart good to see them transform into piles of chopped, julienned, sliced, ribboned, whatever form, ready to cook. I miss my garden. We’re not vegetarian, but we are veggie-first.
I have a retirement date… 12/31/27. One of the first things I’m going to do is create the space for my garden, even if I need to go to the community garden. This will be my self-care grand plan.
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3 Reactions@carolreid thank you for the information, I will definitely talk to his primary care doctor about this.
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1 Reaction@cyds I love a garden, all things fresh vegetables, and your self-care grand plan. I think the key here, about having a plan, is to figure out what we love to do, even in the midst of all this daily chaos, and carve out some sliver of time. I miss the elaborate meals I used to make, but I'm okay, I'm still standing at the burner, doing something. Thanks for sharing. And congrats on your soon-to-be retirement date. I retired a long time ago, although I was selling real estate up until last year, when we had to move out of our house, my husband was diagnosed with MCI and it's been pretty hectic ever since with medical and personal/home situations in the mix. My self-care grand plan is to get through this year and just BREATHE.
Best, Karla
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2 Reactions