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May is
CAREGIVER APPRECIATION MONTH The self-care reframe The following editorial has been provided by Elizabeth Bishop, North Shore Community Resources Society.
global pandemic in the mix, and we can feel stretched beyond capacity, searching for the quickest fix for anything that ails us.
Self-care is a big buzzword lately – even more so in the wake of coVId-19. But what do we mean by self-care and what makes it so challenging to practice? Self-care is a holistic experience encompassing more than just physical health and the absence of illness and extending to the inclusion of emotional, mental, spiritual, and even social wellbeing. But, how well do we respond to the subtle, yet very real, connection between our thoughts, feelings, behaviour, bodies and the resulting experiences. Human existence is a complex mystery. Sometimes that can fill us with awe or it can baffle us in our pursuit to manipulate our experiences in our fast-paced world. add a
Motivation to care for self Being a caregiver usually means being hard-wired to give. You have an innate desire to respond to the wellbeing of others, which can create a barrier to caring for yourself. There is nothing selfish about self-care and there is no need to justify it. Your capacity to receive and respond to yourself is equally as important as following the call to give. Reciprocity is key in our ability to care for self and others. It’s not about putting your oxygen mask on so you can help others don theirs – it’s about putting your oxygen mask on because you value your life. You don’t need an excuse to take care of yourself, but you do need a commitment.
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THANK YOU! We would like to sincerely thank all the Shylo Caregivers who have bravely worked during the pandemic to keep our clients safe and comfortable in their homes. Shylo Home Healthcare would also like to thank frontline workers, healthcare providers, first responders and all those who have continued to work during the pandemic.
THANKS TO THE NEW HORIZONS fOR SENIORS PROgRAm, NSCR IS HAPPy TO ANNOuNCE THE
Caregiver CoaCh and Peer SuPPort Program! This program recruits, trains, and matches volunteer coaches to be of emotional and practical support to caregivers in our community.
We need your expertise and are currently seeking focus group participants and Advisory Committee members. If you are interested, please contact Elizabeth Bishop, Caregiver Support Program Coordinator at elizabeth.bishop@nscr.ca. Learn more at nscr.bc.ca/information/ caregiver.html
www.ShyloHomeHealthcare.ca • 604-985-6881
This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
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nsnews.com north shore news Wednesday, may 20, 2020
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Helping Seniors Stay at Home Longer Since 1996
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The magic is in the moment Setting intentions throughout your day can assist you to stay present to your needs as they unfold. There are 24 hours in a day. Setting aside one for yourself in order to engage in self-care is not enough. Rather, it turns self-care into a task that must be completed instead of an expression of selflove and self-compassion. Genuine self-care occurs in the moment. It is the decision to slow down for five minutes prior to a potentially challenging conversation so you can hear your thoughts and feel your feelings before interacting. It is noticing when you feel hungry, tired or in discomfort with the intention to respond to what is required. What is balanced on Monday may be overextended by Thursday. The state of balance in life requires a centered approach to recognizing and then responding to the changing needs of
our system. Self-care is about being present and engaged with our moment-to-moment experience and not so much about what we do on a daily or weekly basis. Self-loving acts often follow naturally in a state of responsiveness. Know what makes you feel happy and energized and find ways to value yourself enough to create room for more of it. Self-understanding creates space for self-acceptance, which is crucial for self-kindness. Learn to swim in the calm within even when chaos swirls around you. Tell yourself a fresh story so you can step into your power to create a new outcome. Immerse yourself in self-loving energy to access the depths of your resilience and capacity to be a channel of love and care in the world. You will find yourself in a dance of reciprocity where giving and receiving become one.
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you put your best foot forward.
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to all of the dedicated, brave, and selfless Caregivers, Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Staff, and Nursing Home Staff who have gone above and beyond during this difficult time.
Caregivers: Thank You for Everything That You Do Caregiver safety is of the utmost importance. Let us help you lighten your load.
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Wednesday, may 20, 2020
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north shore news nsnews.com
May is
CAREGIVER APPRECIATION MONTH
How curiosity strengthens relationships
The following editorial has been provided by Elizabeth Bishop, North Shore Community Resources Society.
The power of curiosity cannot be underestimated. curiosity motivates, inspires self-care, and encourages greater understanding of self and others. What relationship can’t benefit from a little more understanding?
Curiosity as a motivator curiosity is an intrinsic motivator. It doesn’t depend on external influences and is not attached to specific outcomes. Intrinsic motivators often hold more punch for us because they arise organically. passionate inspiration for a project or deep love for someone can get us out of bed in the morning like no alarm clock ever could. any learning pursuit is made easier when fueled by authentic curiosity. When we are curious, we are imbued with an energy that keeps us moving even in the face of obstacles.
The curious relationship Relationships are containers for transformational experience. They can also be breeding grounds for disharmony and discontent. The people in our lives serve to help us grow, heal, feel, and connect. caregiving relationships can often feel imbalanced with one person giving more than another. at least, it can seem that way if we look at it through a transactional lens. But, when we get curious about the potential for transformation, we open the door to a new experience. When we are tested by the actions or attitudes of someone
else, curiosity opens up the possibility for understanding. It create a pause allowing us to suspend judgment long enough to see beyond it and reframe our viewpoint. Curious self-connection Judgment and frustration are not reserved for others. caregivers often internalize feelings of frustration and judgment leading to a sense that they can never give enough. Guilt and shame are two common and debilitating emotional experiences in the caregiving journey. Guilt says we have behaved
in a way that we don’t feel good about. curiosity allows us to understand where the guilt is coming from without the condemnation often attached to those experiences. curiosity makes space for us to understand the whole picture and perhaps, learn how to be better prepared for similar situations in the future. Shame, on the other hand, says that there is something inherently wrong with me. This internal and complex emotional experience tends to run much more deeply and often stems conT’d on paGe 32
We are here for you!
(604) 998.8806
northandwestvan@comfortkeepers.ca ComfortKeepers.ca/NorthandWestVancouver
We are here to help caregivers and seniors during COVID-19 ■ phone and online support by caring volunteers for those who are isolated ■ food shopping and delivery for those in need ■ referrals and information for those who require important resources
As an essential service, we are open as usual to serve our seniors community to help them stay home safely independent.
Family Services of the North Shore provides free support and resources for seniors, and family and friends caring for older adults who live at home. For more information or to access support, contact Robin Rivers at 604-988-5281 ext. 354 or rivers@familyservices.bc.ca
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10 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout 1. Listen to your body. 2. Give yourself permission to slow down. 3. ask for and accept support from others. 4. accept your feelings - even the hard ones. 5. Stay connected to your passions. 6. Move regularly. 7. Be mindful in your consumption (food, drink, media, people). 8. cultivate an attitude of gratitude. 9. Learn to master the alternative perspective. 10. Savour the moment.
from early life experiences. curiosity allows us to explore these wounds with a gentle and self-compassionate approach. curious self-exploration leads to deeper selfunderstanding. In this self-transformative space it becomes easier to witness the dark corners of your heart with a sense of safety. The more self-connected you are, the more able you are to respond to your needs as a caregiver and beyond. Exercise your curiosity muscle Just like physical training, curiosity needs to be exercised. never underestimate the power of a great question. curious questions move us in constructive directions. answers often emerge through spontaneous intuitive insights and via interactions with others.
Here are a few curious questions to guide you in key moments: • When in judgment, ask yourself“how can I see this from a different angle?” • When overwhelmed, ask yourself“what do I most need right now?” • When feeling empty, ask yourself“what feels exciting?” • When in conflict, ask yourself“what need is this person trying to meet?” • When in joy, ask yourself,“how can I embrace this moment even more?” • When in confusion, ask yourself,“what clarity am I looking for?” Reflect. Ask questions. Be patient. Stay curious.
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Home care can keep older adults in their homes. 9 out of 10 of seniors prefer to age in their own homes. Hiring a caregiver provides the extra support an older adult may need to stay where they most prefer: at home. Home care helps seniors stay independent longer. A caregiver provides support with activities of daily living, while encouraging mental and physical stimulation and overall wellness.
Home care is personalized to each family. Our care plans at Home Care Assistance are tailored specifically to each client’s unique needs and preferences. Home care supports advanced care needs. Our caregivers are experienced and trained to support older adults transport from hospital to home, recover from stroke or a major medical procedure and manage chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Contact a Case Manager today to schedule your free in-home consultation!
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