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Workshop focuses on caregivers

By
Suzanne Hopkins-
The Heart of Caregiving: The Emotional and Spiritual Side
    As reported in the news article at the top of this page, a program for caregivers will be presented Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hillsboro First United Methodist Church,133 East Walnut Street in Hillsboro.  
    Attendees can enjoy a morning of support, encouragement and networking. Leave relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated.
    The registration fee is $10 to help cover the costs for the lunch, program, and a copy of the “JOY-spirations for Caregivers” book. The program cost is supplemented by local businesses and organizations. If you have not registered but would like to attend, you can still come and pay at the door on Saturday morning.
    Below is an article by the program presenters, authors and inspirational speakers Annetta Dellinger and Karen Boerger.
Keys for the role of caregiving
    In a caregiver’s life, the 24-hour days can be exhausting, frustrating, happy, lonely, and the emotional list goes on.            
     There are five important ideas that a caregiver must remember:
    • Applaud your courage in handling day-to-day challenges.
    When you go to sleep at night and you can say that you have done the best you can with what you have, then you can say it was a good day. Caregiving doesn’t come with a how-to manual, and sometimes you’re in it before you even realize it.
    Other times, it’s at the beginning of a diagnosis. Whichever way you learn you’re a caregiver, you have taken on a challenge which is nothing short of courageous.
    • Be in God’s Word for hope and encouragement to support you throughout each day.
    Prayer and meditation have been proven to help with the stresses in one’s life. Caregivers can cling to their beliefs and transfer their worries about things beyond their control, thereby gaining comfort and direction in their lives.
    • Caring for yourself is vital to ensure that you can continue your daily care for your loved one. If you can’t take care of your loved one, then who will?
    Some stress is healthy, but prolonged stress is not. We all must heed the call to take care of ourselves and learn to balance the stress that comes into our lives.
    • Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and accept it when offered.
    Having others give help is important to the caregiver as this is a vital social link to others. But it’s also important to the one who is offering the help because it validates their desire to serve and be of help.
   • Eliminate thinking too far ahead; take one day at a time.
    Planning too far ahead can increase a caregiver’s anxiety when unexpected daily challenges erupt and the day’s schedule goes completely topsy-turvy.
    Have a plan and a written list each day that allows for flexibility. Checking off each point on the list will give the caregiver a needed boost of accomplishment.
    Caregivers juggle multiple roles and are often the lifeline for those whom they care for.         While caring for others is highly demanding, it can be extremely rewarding and is critically important.
    To enjoy a morning of support, encouragement and networking, and lunch, we invite caregivers to join us on Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hillsboro First United Methodist Church.
    The cost of the event is $10. Please RSVP to Bev at 393-2981.[[In-content Ad]]

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