Article by Giuliana Valencia, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging
(Posted 2022 July)
Becoming a caregiver for a loved one can be a rewarding and challenging experience. Often, family caregivers struggle with the stress of the responsibilities and the unpleasant emotions that arise from it. Whether these emotions and feelings happen right away or after a few years of caring for someone, it is important to know that they are valid and need to be acknowledged. If left unattended, our critical inner voice may lead some caregivers to experience guilt, anger, shame, and helplessness. Psychologists have found that learning to be kind and understanding of ourselves can stop the self-criticism that often make things worse. By developing self-compassion, we can help bring our emotions into balance and increase our sense of wellbeing. Furthermore, research has shown that self-compassion has a positive effect on depression, stress, anxiety, and self-criticism.
To develop self-compassion, one has to learn to become mindful of what one is doing. Mindfulness means focusing our attention on the present and slowing down our tendencies for thinking, judging, and doing many things at once. A quick and simple exercise to develop mindfulness is to sit comfortably with your feet flat on the ground, lay your hands on your legs, close your eyes, and focus your attention on your breath. If you notice that your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath. You can try this for a few seconds or minutes each day. Remember that there will be times when you might feel frustrated because your mind wanders, but the fact that you notice it is wandering is part of developing mindfulness, and therefore, self-compassion.
Adult Service Options for the Aging - Caregiver webinar
Today, there are more options than ever before for older adults who need help living in their homes or for those who can no longer live alone safely. Gone are the days where an institution, like a nursing home, was the only alternative. The options for care can be overwhelming and confusing but with a little education, families and caretakers can help their loved ones find a solution that best suits them including those that allow them to age in place. Join us Wednesday July 20, from noon to 1 p.m. for this webinar for a brief synopsis of the Fairfax County Home Based Care program, the Virginia Medicaid Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Waiver (CCC Plus), and the Auxiliary Grant program option for Assisted Living Facility placement.
This session will be facilitated by Tammi Cave, Adult Social Services Specialist, Susan White, Public Health Nurse, and Jonathan Bell, Long-Term Care Supervisor, Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Online Registration: bit.ly/CAREWEB1 or call 703-324-2019.
Home Safety Education: A Caregiver Panel Conversation
According to the National Safety Council, research has shown since 2020, 113,500 people died from preventable injury-related home deaths. This number continues to increase every year. In this panel conversation, we will explore home safety educational tips and resources to help prevent injury and accidental deaths in the home. Join us on Friday, July 1, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Panelists include Don Ryan, Director of Partnerships, Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church; Jessie Tamayo, Life Safety Educator, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department; and Meg Hawkins, Community Outreach Officer Sully Police District. Online Registration: bit.ly/AAAPanel or call 703-324-2019.
You are My Sunshine Intergenerational Music Workshop
You are My Sunshine music workshop utilizes vocal warmups, a cool down and four familiar and well-loved pieces of music to engage the whole family. Each song will invoke feelings, memories, be set in context and have a separate activity attached. The premise of the workshop is that anyone can sing and use a song to reach, teach and put across an idea. Join on Saturday, July 9, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
This session will be facilitated by Karen Webber, Teaching Artist/ Peer Mentor/ Peer Specialist. Online Registration: bit.ly/StayingWell-123 or call 703-324-2019.
Creating Memory & Engagement at Home Intergenerational Workshop
Sometimes, it feels impossible to get the whole family together for a positive experience particularly when memory loss is a part of the dynamic. Join this workshop on Saturday, July 23, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for ideas and strategies. Discover exercises together with common household items, use sensory engagement to spice up together time, identify obstacles that may be interfering with engagement and create something together for enjoyment and purpose.
This session will be facilitated by Cate McCarty, PhD, Dementia Coach, and Nicole McMonigle Knight, Dementia Care Connections, LLC. Online Registration: bit.ly/StayingWell-123 or call 703-324-2019.
Caregiver Support Group
The Fairfax Adult Day Health Centers invites you to join their family caregiver support groups every 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. In July, the topic will be Nutrition/Sweets. If you wish to attend, please sign onto the Zoom Meeting: vdh.zoom.us/j/3222872381
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).