seasonsofcare 11.2012

Seasons of Care™ Wellness for Caregivers

self-care for the family caregiver

Presented by:

Andrea Sherman, PhD &

Marsha Weiner, MA

For:

Family Caregiver AllianceAll content Transitional Keys©

Objectives

Strengthen resilienceExpress and release

feelings through creative

expressionIncrease ease, comfort and happiness

through meditationDecrease stress that produces burnout

© 2011 Family Caregiver Alliance

The Caregiver’s Journey

“Caregiving does not unfold in an orderly fashion. It evades easy answers. We would like to wrap it up in neat bundles of conclusions we can rely on, but it refuses to be tidy. It is sometimes gratifying, often frustrating, always a mystery.”

Caregiver’s Tao Te Ching

Brain Connectivity

The power to create new circuits…

Caregiver’s ToolsSeasons of Care™

• Contemplative Arts– Focus attention inside yourself

– Rekindle inner resources

– Discover sources of resiliency– Connect with something greater than oneself

• Expressive Arts– Release energy outward

– Color, Dance, Sing, Declare

– Enhance well-being– Uplift your spirits!

Benefits of Meditation• Increases ability to relax

• Decreases psychological symptoms

• Reduces pain levels

• Increases ability to cope with chronic pain

Benefits of Meditation• Encourages greater enthusiasm for life

• Improves self-esteem

• Increases ability to cope more effectively with stressful

situations that are beyond one’s control

•Stress Reduction Clinic, University of Mass. Medical Center

Catch Your Breath

Benefits of Expressive Arts

• Enhances coping skills

• Helps manage stress

• Strengthens sense of self

• Enhances quality of life

• Allows for communication when words just aren’t

enough

A Sherman

©TransitionalKeys

©TransitionalKeys

Landscape of the Forgiven

M.B.Weiner

Your Favorite Color- What was it yesterday? How about now?!?

© 2011 Family Caregiver Alliance

Your Landscape Here

Writing:

IntegrativeSelf-reflective

technique Promotes

meaningful engagement of self

The Rules of Writing:Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones

1.Keep your hand moving.

2.Don’t cross out.

3.Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation grammar.

4.Lose control.

5.Don’t think. Don’t get logical.

6.Go for the jugular. (“If something comes up that is scary or naked, dive right into it. It probably has lots of energy.”)

Getting Started

“Just as a good rain clears the air, a good writing day clears the psyche.” ― Julia

Cameron, The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life

Get started !

After this webinar !

Fill in the blanks:

As the ____ comes and goes, I _____.

Contemplative & Expressive Arts Merge in Ritual

Including everyday, simple rituals

© 2011 Family Caregiver Alliance

Ritual Provides: Order and Clarity in times of changeRelief and Comfort in times of anxietyIntegration & Healing in times of lossContinuity & Community in times of celebration and reflection

Affirmation is an Element of Ritual

Benefits of Affirmation

• Increases immune response

• Increases empathy and compassion

• Mitigates stress

• Lessens irritability

• Increases happiness

The Challenge for All Caregivers

As we continue on The Caregiver’s Journey …

Self-Care as PracticeSelf-Care as Practicewith Contemplative & with Contemplative &

Expressive ArtsExpressive ArtsCare for your body,

mind and spiritCreate a “sanctuary,”

an “inner-home”Practice resilience and

renewal throughout the day

MaintainMaintainHappiness Happiness

Bank AccountBank Account

Awaken and Embrace

…

And, don’t forget the MUSIC !!!

• Reduces stress

• Lowers blood pressure• Reduces pain• Releases emotions • Increases mood & positive

feelings

• Has healing effects

American Music Therapy Association, www.musictherapy.org

Cleansing

© 2011 Family Caregiver Alliance

Resources

1. The Caregiver’s Tao Te Ching, William& Nancy

Martin, New World Library, 2011

2. Seasons of Care™ Meditations, Transitional Keys, 2011

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/transitionalkeys

3. Full Catastrophe Living, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Delacorte Press, 1990

To join our mail list for weekly wellness reminders:

info@TransitionalKeys.org

914.517.5353

•FCA established the National Center on Caregiving (NCC), to advance the development of high-quality, cost effective programs and policies for caregivers in every state in the country. The NCC sponsors the Family Care Navigator to help caregivers locate support services in their communities.

•FCA also operates the Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center in the six-county San Francisco Bay Area. The staff of family counselors works closely with families caring for ill or elderly loved ones. Our services, education programs and publications are developed to offer these families direct support, vital information, and effective tools to manage the complex and demanding tasks of caregiving.

Family Caregiver Alliance is a public voice for caregivers, illuminating the daily challenges they face, offering them the assistance they so desperately need and deserve, and championing their cause through education, services, research and advocacy.

Phone numbers:

(800) 445-8106

(415) 434-3388

Address:

785 Market Street, Suite 750,

San Francisco, CA 94103

Web address:

http://www.caregiver.org

Social Media Channels:

Facebook (Family Caregiver Alliance)

Twitter (“@CaregiverAlly”)

Yelp (seeking your reviews!)

YouTube (“CAREGIVERdotORG”)

This presentation by Transitional Keys is sponsored by Family Caregiver Alliance.©2012 Family Caregiver Alliance. All rights Reserved.