A New School Year
Dear Friends,
Some students are already back in school; others will be
starting the week after Labor Day. One
of
the advantages of beginning a new grade is some older
students can tell you what a particular grade is like.
And some can even give you tips on your particular
teacher. (What she likes or what really annoys him.)
Not so with caregiving, even though that --
in a sense -- can have a series of grades, too. It may
be what you were doing a few years, months, or even
weeks ago aren't what your obligations entail now.
Because the needs of your care-receiver change, your
role changes. And while there are other caregivers who
have been where you now find yourself, your particular
experience of caregiving is unique. Some of their advice
is helpful but some of it . . . not so much.
Then, too, the children heading into the
sixth grade know they're heading into the sixth grade. A
professional (their fifth-grad teacher) and their
parents have agreed they're ready. You're beginning a
"new grade" can happen suddenly and unexpectedly. And
you may feel anything but prepared.
It's good to keep in mind that there may
come a time when you aren't able to take the next step
as a caregiver because your loved one's needs are beyond
what you're able to do.
That may be the case because of your
care-receiver has a new need or it may be because you,
after providing loving and personal care over a period
of time, simply aren't able to continue to do what
you've been doing.
That isn't "failing" or "flunking" or
"giving up."
A loved one's moving into a nursing home or
assisted living home may be where he or she will be
safest and receive the kind of care that's needed now.
You can read more about those here:
An Assisted Living Facility Evaluation Checklist
A
Nursing Home Evaluation Checklist
Choosing a Nursing
Home
- - -
This week
we're so pleased to welcome Sheila M. of Connecticut,
Carmella R. of New Mexico, and Mary Ann and Brian S. and
Anne B. of Ohio as the newest members of the Friends of St. John the
Caregiver. Please keep them and their intentions in your
prayers. They have promised to pray for you and
yours.
And we
cordially invite you to join
the Friends of St. John
the Caregiver! (FSJC's programs include
YourAgingParent.com and
CatholicCaregivers.com.) You can find out more about
becoming a member
here.
No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that
you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include
caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both
(including quite a few former caregivers).
You can:
sign up on-line here
or call us toll-free at
1-800-392-JOHN (5646)
or
print and mail an application form.
God
bless you!
Monica and Bill
To
contact us
To
join
FSJC
To make a
donation
To view or make
prayer
requests
Materials
order form
Past
"Dear Friends"
letters
"Among Friends" quarterly newsletter
Colorado,
Kathleen C. of Ohio, Sister Geralyn S. of Pennsylvania,
and Christine N. of California as the newest members of the Friends of St. John the
Caregiver. Please keep them and their intentions in your
prayers. They have promised to pray for you and
yours.