Happy Valentine’s Day!
Being a caregiver is not for everyone. The responsibilities of bathing, dressing, feeding and overseeing the safety, physical and emotional needs of another person can be strenuous. There are a variety of levels of caregiving such as a professional who makes a living at it, or a family member, or a friend who is dedicated to help another. If you care and you give to another’s well-being, you are a caregiver.
No matter what type of caregiver you are, there are common and important traits needed to perform caregiving duties successfully:
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- Empathy. The ability to understand and share feelings is central to giving care.
- Compassion. Provides the energy and drive needed to sustain you through difficult tasks or while working with an individual.
- Patience. People being cared for take longer than usual to complete simple tasks or routines. Understanding the limitations of those you care for can help reduce tension in the environment.
- Attentiveness. Means being a good listener and noticing when there are emotional or physical changes in the person. It is important to be aware of the needs and the changes that are taking place. It’s a bonus to have a creative mind that can come up with inventive ways to deal with problem situations or overcome resistance.
- Composure. Handling stressful or uncomfortable situations with confidence and grace is an important skill for caregivers. A good caregiver doesn’t chide or shame regardless of age or circumstance.
- Compromise. Conflicts are inevitable. Sometimes you must compromise to diffuse tense situations. It’s important to thoughtfully focus on what’s needed most to manage disagreements in an effective and positive way.
To read more about a caregivers traits see Six Traits of a Caregiver.
Unfortunately, I do not have all these traits every day, but I strive to. I gain strength and clarity from others who truly understand my journey. For this reason, I’ve gathered information on this month’s support groups and therapy services in our surrounding area offered for those affected by brain injury and epilepsy, which are two health issues we deal with daily. If you live outside of this region, or are affected by another kind of condition, I encourage you to look for support groups near you relating to your health issues. Learning from and encouraging others lightens the load.
Being responsible for the care and well-being of another is a highly committed role, but it’s also rewarding
In case it’s impossible for you to get out, or you don’t live in this area, I’ve also included links to useful and inspiring websites.
If you have an activity, announcements or other information you’d like shared in this newsletter, please email Barbara@UnitingCaregivers.com.
FREE SUPPORT GROUPS
FOR STROKE AND BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS
February 7, 2019 – Utah Valley Brain Injury Support Group 7-8 p.m. meets every 1st Thursday monthly at Rocky Mountain University of Health Profession, 122 East 1700 South, Building C, Provo, Utah 84060. For questions, please call Lori, (801)422-9132.
February 12, 2019 – Brain Injury Alliance Support Group for Adults, 6-8 p.m. meets every 2nd Tuesday monthly at Sanderson Community Deaf Center, 5709 South 1500 West, SLC, UT 84123. This social group is for caregivers and survivors. For more information, please call Jennifer (801)386-2195, or Beth (801)585-5511.
February 21, 2019 – Caregivers and Survivors Education and Support Groups, 7 p.m. meets every 3rd Thursday monthly. This year we move to a new location at Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murray, UT 84107, building 1.
Caregivers meet on the 9th floor, in the Neuroscience Conference Room. This year an extensive and informative Caregiver Program written by Beth Cardell, Phd, University of Utah will be taught by various members of the medical community and other experts in their field.
Survivors meet on the 9th floor Gym. This month, Mark Fox, MS, CCC-SL, will present. Why Me? Hard Learned Lessons from Brain Injury. For more information, please call (801)314-2086 or email Emily Redd emily.redd@imail.org
February 26, 2019 – University of Utah Brain Injury Support Group 6-8 p.m. meets every 4th Tuesday monthly, at Sugarhouse Health Center, 1138 E. Wilmington Avenue, SLC, UT 84106. This month they will play the movie My Beautiful Broken Brain. Click on the title to see the trailer. For more information please call Ryan Pello or Annie Wallace at (801)581-2221.
FREE WEEKLY GROUPS INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH CARE NEURO THERAPY
in Murray, Utah
Aphasia Talking Practice Group – Meets every Tuesday, Noon-1 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East #G50
Meditation Group – Meets every Wednesday, 3 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East Cafeteria Conference Room
Cognitive Skills Group – Meets every Thursday Noon-1 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East #G50
Contact: Emily Redd at Emily.redd@imail.org
FREE EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE EFFECTED BY SEIZURES
Together we share coping strategies, provide encouragement, comfort and advice from people with common experiences. For more information contact Margo at (801)455-6089 or Utah@efa.org.
February 7, 2019 – Epilepsy Support Group in Logan, UT.- 7 to 8 pm Logan Regional Hospital 500 E. 1400 N., Logan, UT 84341
February 13, 2019 – Epilepsy Group for All, 7:00 to 8:15 pm. Meets every 2nd Wednesday at the Provo City Library, 555 N. University Ave., Provo, UT.
February 14, 2019 – Epilepsy Group for All, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 2nd Thursday at the Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murry, UT Bldg. 6, 1st floor – CR2 in the Doty Education Center.
February 20, 2019 – Epilepsy Group for All, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 3rd Wednesday at the SLC Main Library 200 E. 400 S., SLC, UT (3rd floor conference room).
February 28, 2019 – Epilepsy Group for Teens, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 4th Thursday at the West Jordan Library, 8030 S. 1825 W., West Jordan, UT. Come and enjoy an activity and meet other teens with epilepsy. There are two teachers overseeing this group.
1st Thursday quarterly. Epilepsy Group for Parents, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Next meeting will be at April 4, 2019 at the Riverton Library Auditorium, 12877 S. 1830 W. Riverton, UT.
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
http://www.caregiver.org (online webinars for caregivers)
http://www.tbicommunity.org (online educational programs)
http://www.braininjury.com (medical, legal, information resource)
http://www.abta.org (brain tumor education and information)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi (brain injury facts, programs, education)
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/all-disorders (education for brain injury, stroke and other neurological disorders)
http://www.msktc.org/tbi (TBI Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center) national leaders in TBI research and patient care.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support (resource for those with MS)
http://www.epilepsy.com/utah and/or http://www.epilepsy.com (seizure education and support by state or national)
https://biau.org (resource for those with brain injury)
http://www.brainline.org (preventing, treating and living with TBI)
http://www.uilc.org (Utah Independent Living Center is a resource center which enhances independence of persons with disabilities)
ACTIVITIES TO DO WEBSITES:
https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass (free pass to National Parks & Federal Land Agency areas)
https://wildlife.utah.gov/watchable-wildlife-for-disabled.html (watchable wildlife for disabled persons)
http://slco.org/adaptive/plus-one-pass (Salt Lake County Disability Plus One Pass)
https://twilightinsight.wordpress.com/hobbies/hobbies-
for-healing-the-brain/tbi-and-selecting-a-hobby (select a hobby – ideas especially for TBI survivors)
http://www.discovernac.org (National Ability Center)
http://wanderookie.com/blog/2015/07/27/12-beautiful-wheelchair-accessible-trails-in-utah
(wheelchair accessible trails in Utah)
https://www.visitutah.com/Media/Default/One%20Sheeters/Accessible_Utah_web.pdf (list of accessible resources)
wasatchadaptivesports.org (Wasatch Adaptive Sports)
http://www.discovernac.org (National Ability Center)
https://www.meetup.com (meet up groups)
SHARING WEBSITES:
http://www.brainline.org/abbymaslin (blog about loving and learning after TBI)
http://www.facebook.com/UTteensupportgroup (social interaction and the exchange useful resources)
http://www.unitingcaregivers.wordpress.com (caregivers sharing stories, tips and thoughts)
Thank you for reading. I hope you found the information helpful and will follow this website via email to receive notifications of every new post. The “Follow” button is located at the beginning of the newsletter. However, if you want to subscribe only to a monthly newsletter, please email Barbara@UnitingCaregivers.com. I will add you to the newsletter email list and send it to you.
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