Monday, March 3, 2008    Pope Benedict XVI: Caregiver Advocate Dear Friends,     We were delighted to see that the pope is advocating care for the caregiver. Here's part of a report by Catholic News Service:     Society and labor laws should give concrete support to family members so they can attend to terminally ill loved ones, Pope Benedict XVI said.     While guarantees must be made for all people to receive necessary medical care, special provisions also must be put into place for the patient's family members, he said.     The pope made his comments during a Feb. 25 audience with more than 300 participants in a Vatican-sponsored congress on the pastoral needs of and ethical obligations toward the terminally ill.     Titled "Close By the Incurable Sick Person and the Dying: Scientific and Ethical Aspects," the Feb. 25-26 congress brought together caregivers, medical specialists and scholars in the fields of theology, law and bioethics.     The international congress was organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life and was held to coincide with the Lourdes jubilee year, which marks the 150th anniversary of Mary's appearance to St. Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France.     The entire article is available here and a report by the Zenit news agency can be found here. The speech was also covered by the Vatican Information Service. Unfortunately, the text of the speech is available only in Italian at the Vatican's site. - - -   And . . . a word about care receiving, too, from the chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' committee on pro-life activities who is also the archbishop of Philadelphia.   In his homily at the National Vigil for Life's opening Mass on Monday, Jan. 21, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, Cardinal Justin Rigali noted:     We are challenged to care for those around us who are in need physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually, especially those who would consider participating in an abortion. And finally we need to allow others to care for us when we can no longer care for ourselves.    Thank you, Cardinal Rigali! Our Lady in Need, pray for us! - - -    This week we welcome Joanne McC. of Pennsylvania as the newest member of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Please keep Joanne and her intentions in your prayers. She has promised to keep caregivers and care-receivers in hers.     You can read more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, March 10, 2008    Evaluating Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Dear Friends,     In a perfect world you and your loved one will have investigated housing options before the need for an assisted living facility or a nursing home arises. In the real world, as we all know, sometimes that just doesn't happen. Yes, it's best to plan early but your family may need to make an immediate placement.     Under either set of circumstances, it helps to have some specific questions in mind. Or, better still, written down! We've posted three checklists (from "A Catholic Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parent") to help you and your care-receiver with this challenging task. Evaluating Housing Options An Assisted Living Facility Evaluation Checklist A Nursing Home Evaluation Checklist  - - -    We invite you to join the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. You can find out more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, March 17, 2008    Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter Dear Friends,     We want to assure caregivers that the prayers of members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver are with them and their loved ones during Holy Week and Easter 2008. (And every other week of the year, too!) We know that some caregivers aren't able to attend services or the celebration of Mass because of their obligations to their loved ones. It can help to remember that caregiving is a form of prayer that's greatly pleasing to Our Lord. As he told us, "Whatever you did for one of these, you did for me."     We also want to point out that Good Friday is a special feast day for the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. It was on that day, from the cross, that Jesus asked St. John the Apostle to take care of his mother, Mary, and she agreed to accept his care.     St. John the Caregiver and Our Lady in Need, pray for us. - - -     To receive a free copy of "The Stations of the Cross for Caregivers" send us a self-addressed stamped envelope to us at P.O. Box 320, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043. - - -    Thank you to Bob Dunning, host of "The Bishop's Hour" on Immaculate Heart Radio in Sacramento! Bob invited Monica to be a guest once again for a March 14th broadcast. - - -    Please consider joining the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. You can find out more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, March 24, 2008    Driving, Documents and Depression Dear Friends,     Happy Easter week! We've added three more checklists to the Topics section. They cover: Driving Skills Legal and Financial Paperwork Caregiver and Care-receiver Depression     As you may recall, some weeks ago we posted similar lists:  An Assessment Checklist for Family Caregivers Evaluating Housing Options An Assisted Living Facility Evaluation Checklist A Nursing Home Evaluation Checklist     Please just let us know if there is another caregiver topic you would like us to present in this format. Also, we want to remind you the Web site has a list of Spiritual Topics, too. - - -    And, as always, we invite you to consider joining the Friends of St. John the Caregiver if you're not already a member. You can find out more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, March 31, 2008    Every Caregiver Feels Overwhelmed Sometimes Dear Friends,     Over the years we've heard a lot of stories from health-care  professionals who assure us that just because someone has a medical degree it doesn't mean their own family caregiving is a breeze. In fact, they readily admit, when trying to help that loved one, they sometimes feel as if they're in over their heads. And sinking fast.     We, personally, can add that just because two people have written books on caregiving or started an international organization to help caregivers, it doesn't mean they don't feel overwhelmed at times in their roles as family caregivers.     The truth is there are no caregivers who don't feel overwhelmed at times because on some days -- and nights -- this vocation is overwhelming.     Yes, absolutely, learning more about caregiving and resources available to care-receivers makes a tremendous difference. But, even then, there are physical, emotional and spiritual challenges. (Not to mention individual personalities or family history and dynamics. Yikes!)     And yes, having spiritual support (including prayers for you and your loved one by members of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver) truly helps. Even so . . .     Sometimes it's good to be reminded of, to acknowledge, and to accept the basic truth that what God has asked you to do -- the personal invitation to which you have answered "OK, Lord" -- isn't easy.     He knows that. Just as he knows you can never be a "perfect caregiver." Even so, you're his choice. That's why, sometimes, having faith in him means having faith in yourself. - - -    A new month -- April? already? -- means new postings at CatholicCaregivers.com. That's where you'll find the latest editions of "Catholic Caregivers" (topic: "A Driving-Skills Checklist for Family Caregivers"), Bulletin Briefs and Prayers of Intercession. - - -     Keep an eye out for the latest issue of "Among Friends," the quarterly newsletter of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. It should be heading for your mailbox or e-mailbox later this week. (Update: Now available: "Among Friends," April 2008.) - - -     This week we want to welcome James J. of Minnesota as the newest FSJC member. James has asked that we all remember a number of his family members in our prayers.      If you're not an FSJC member yet, we encourage you to join. You can find out more about becoming a member here.     No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for family caregivers and those in their care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).     God bless you!                                                       Monica and Bill To contact us To join FSJC To make a donation To view or make prayer requests Past "Dear Friends" notes