By: Sherri Snelling
Every October we are immersed in a sea of pink – the color for breast cancer awareness – yet the No. 1 killer of women in America remains heart disease. In fact, twice as many women die from stroke or cardiovascular disease than all cancers combined, including breast cancer. More than 1 in 3 women will die from heart disease this year – one every minute.
By: Sherri Snelling
Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. As we honor Dr. King’s birthday this month with the “MLK Day of Service” family caregivers can perform two acts of service for their loved ones:
By: Sherri Snelling
After a long, hard battle President Obama has gained a second term as Commander in Chief. We heard from the TV news pundits this election was a turning point in understanding the needs of a changing America. I hope valuing family caregivers becomes part of that change. We need to encourage the White House, Congress and all sectors of society to support those caregiving Americans who represent 80 percent of the long-term care workforce in our country – but how?
By: Sherri Snelling
Photo: Flynt/ Dreamstime
This Wednesday at 2pm EST I will be speaking during Lotsa’s Sandwich Generation Juggling Act webinar, a special session devoted to the 24 million Americans who are literally sandwiched between caring for two generations. Representing approximately 38 percent of all caregivers, Sandwich Generation members are still parenting children living at home while they also care for older parents who now need more help.
Because Sandwich Generation caregivers tend to be in their 40s, 50s and even 60s, seven out of 10 are also juggling a career along with child rearing and caregiving. With so many balls in the air, the Sandwich Generation caregivers often feel overwhelmed, burned out and stressed to their limits. These caregivers are caught in a three-ring circus of children, career and caregiving, and they are the star juggling act. At some point, the ball that gets dropped is the one that says self-care.
Contributed by Sherri Snelling
When it comes to caregiving, staying fit so that you have the energy to care for your loved one is like training for an Olympic marathon not a sprint. Even though your caregiving race may begin with a crisis event, very often it lasts far longer than you may anticipate – not days but weeks, months, years. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, caregivers spend on average 4.6 years caring for a loved one with 15 percent spending more than 10 years. A world-class runner who can finish the 100-yard dash in 9.1 seconds cannot keep up that pace for 26 miles – it is simply impossible.
Contributed by Guest Blogger, Sherri Snelling
I recently celebrated my birthday and it got me to thinking about our “real age.” Whenever I meet a friend for coffee the conversation now turns to our latest health issue (we are at that age) – hurt knees from running, migraines from changing hormones, sun spots on our face, wrinkles on our foreheads, and intestinal rumblings from last night’s Mexican food. And, when the bill comes, we all hold the check back about 12 inches so we can read it (always forgetting the reading glasses which are now common among my friends). However, we marvel at how we don’t see ourselves as our real age – and as friends we even comfort each other that we certainly don’t look our real age either.
As we grow older and start to care for aging parents, what is our risk as caregivers for being “older” than our real age because we often neglect our own health and wellness needs?
Contributed by Sherri Snelling
Many caregivers are housebound caring for their loved one. It is especially hard after long winter months where you are also hampered by weather from getting outside and enjoying the sunshine. Spring is here (it actually officially started a month ago) and the bright rays of light and fresh air bring a welcome opportunity to get out of the house.
Caregivers often forget to give themselves a break so they can refresh and reinvigorate when caring for a loved one. Following are three easy, inexpensive ways to enjoy Spring and improve your health and wellness at the same time. These tips only take a few minutes a day to recharge your batteries:
Contributed by Sherri Snelling
While some people will start the month by playing a funny joke on a friend or co-worker, the beginning of April, which marks National Stress Awareness Month, makes me think about the stress that plagues those who are caring for an older loved one. And, believe me, caregiver stress is no joking matter.