Caregiving Monday: The Power of Jesus Loves Me

Jesus Loves

Last week, I shared the power of music over Alzheimer’s.

When I began performing years ago, I made the decision to end every performance or musical session with Jesus Loves Me.

I have discovered this is a song everyone knows.  I have even had Alzheimer patients that did not claim to be a Christian, but was still able to sing every word to Jesus Loves Me.Jesus Loves Me

Everyone knows the words to Jesus Loves Me.  This is one of the first songs children learn.  Even in their twilight years, they still remember this song.

I have seen patients whom were bed bound and unable to speak, but as I began to sing Jesus Loves Me, the patient began to sing along.

This often surprises family, but I’ve seen this transformation on numerous occasions, and recognize not only the power of music but the power of God and His love.

If anyone needs to be reminded of this simple promise, it is these patients that are lost behind the prison of Alzheimer’s, and their families.

In what ways have you seen Jesus Love Me break through the barriers of Alzheimer’s?

 

Transitional Friday: Dealing with Multiple Life Changes at one time

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I’ve been sharing some of my life changes lately. I had several life changes in finding a new job and relocating to a new area.

Some lessons I’ve learned are:

  1. Embrace the situationchange life
  2. It is natural to be nervous, but keep moving forward.  Anything and place that is new is scary, until you have experienced that situation or area.
  3. Learning anything new takes time—be patient with yourself.
  4. An elephant must be eaten one bite at a time—take things one at a time.  Deal with one issue or decision {if and when possible} before moving to the next.
  5. When multiple decisions have to be made, deal with the most important first.
  6. God has put you here for a reason.   You have a purpose in this situation, a lesson to learn and a lesson to teach.
  7. Everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord.

Caregiving Monday: The Power of Music on Alzheimers

I’ve always believe music is the universal language.  Music can reach through time and cultural barriers to unite the listener.Music

Time and again I have worked with Alzheimer patients that are completely lost to the disease.  Often the patient is unable to speak or move and has to have everything done for him/her.

However, I begin to play or sing a hymn or old song and I began to see a spark that wasn’t there before.

On many occasions these women and men, many who rarely speak, began to sing the words to the song or hymn being performed.

That song is reaching through the barrier of time to a memory deeply buried otherwise.

Music has the power to break through the barriers of Alzheimer’s and minister in ways we may not be able to.

In what ways have you seen music break through the barriers of Alzheimer’s?

Transitional Friday: 5 Lessons When Life Changes

life changes

 

 

 

Life is full of changes, both good and bad.  The one thing that is inevitable is things will not stay the way they are.

So how do we deal with these changes?only constant in life

  1. Allow yourself to feel the emotion—whether good or bad go through the process.
  2. Find a way towards contentment—I’ve had times when I struggled with contentment and it made me and everyone around me miserable.
  3. Find the positive in the change—if the change is a result of something bad or tragic this may take longer.  But even the lessons and pain from this experience can one day help others going through this experience.
  4. Seek God’s will and peace in any and every situation.
  5. Take life one day {and one minute or hour if necessary} at a time.   Take your time when making decisions and pray about it.  Remember, this too shall pass.

What lessons have you learned when life changes?

Caregiving Monday: 2 Reasons to Be Gentle with Senior Adults

Recently, another family member visited GG and while there assisted her with various tasks, including rolling her hair.

After the visit, GG confided that she appreciated all that was done but this family member was very rough.  This person didn’t mean to be rough, but she didn’t realize how rough she was in her actions.

Senior Adults bruise easily
Senior Adults bruise easily

Senior adults are very sensitive and needs extra TLC.

There are two reasons I can think of for this:

  1. Their skin is thin—this is often due to medicine and/or age.  There may also be other reasons, but these are the two most common.   This means that the senior adult bruises and bleeds much easier.   GG medicine has thinned her skin and she easily bruises.  Recently, she scraped her hand on the top of her hand leading to an open wound that had to be bandaged and cared for while healing.
  2. Senior adults do not like to be rushed.  They are not able to do things as fast as they once were. They have to do things in their own time and at their own speed.  Being manhandled is not pleasant for anyone, but is even more traumatic for senior adults who have a low toleration for noise and being rushed.

Do you need to use additional TLC with your senior adult?

Transitional Friday: 9 Considerations When Finding a New Home

A friend of mine recently purchased a new home.  This led to a stressful time, longing to make the right decision and find a house that would become a home.home for sale

  1. Assess your needs in advance
  2. Be realistic about what you can afford
  3. Is this a starter home or a family home you hope to stay in the rest of your life
  4. Do you need room for growth?  Are you planning on expanding your family?
  5. Search for the amenities you need or can’t live without
  6. Decide what you can live without if necessary
  7. Search for a home that meets the needs for you and your family
  8. Consider the neighborhood, surrounding schools, etc.  Is the home on or near a busy shopping center or road?  Is this something you can live with or will this cause too many delays?
  9. Is this home?  Do you love the house?  Does it feel like home?

What aspects did you take into consideration when searching for a new home?

Caregiving Monday: 5 Steps of Grief

Your loved one will slowly decline and be able to do less than before.  During these changes you will find yourself grieving, just as you will when death claims the patient.  Allow yourself to work through the grief process and seek counseling if needed. grief

I’ve listed the five stages of grief here:

  1. Shock and Denial—you don’t want to accept the decline or loss; possibly the change is so sudden you’re in shock
  2. Anger—you find yourself angry at the changes in your loved one and situation.  Your heart grieves for them.
  3. Bargaining—you want to bargain with God or someone to make things better.
  4. Depression—you’re depressed over the changes
  5. Acceptance and Hope—you come to terms and accept the change or loss

Transitional Friday: 7 Lessons from Starting Over

starting over 2

 

I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve had to start over.   The reasons for this are varied, but include moving, divorce, starting a new job, returning to college, etc.

With the new year here, we are all making new resolutions.   Often this includes losing weight.  Yet, two weeks later we’ve given up.   New resolutions are all part of starting over and learning new ways and techniques to improve ourselves.

Starting over can be exciting when thinking about the new possibilities.  Each change brings new hopes and dreams. starting over

  1. Adjustment takes time
  2. Embrace the experience
  3. Be thankful for the opportunity
  4. Look forward—what hopes and dreams does this experience open up
  5. Remember God has you here for a reason
  6. What lessons can you learn from this experience
  7. This is a new beginning

What have you learned from starting over?