Caregiver Profile: Strong Emotions or Emotional Strength?

If you utilized the Meyers Briggs personality test, the type “ESFJ” would be labeled the ‘Cargiver,’ as their externally focused attributes couple with a pointed empathetic dependability. Not one for personality quizzes? Then perhaps you would resort to the stereotype of female, strong emotions, and fierce resilience.

PsychTests.com, a pioneer in online psychological assessments has released its newest research on the type of traits that encompass a capable and compassionate caregiver. One of the bullets on the list was listed as “Emotional Strength.” At first glance, the phrase may seem mundane: of course a cargiver working day in and day out with another human being needs to posses strong emotions (empathy, determination, etc.). But upon closer scrutiny, the phrase settles in: Emotional Strength. The ability to streamline strong emotions into liveable tasks; the ability to persevere when the emotions are low; the ability to run a tiresome race with endurance. Emotional Strength can be more accurately read as emotional endurance.

Nursing in general requires an abundant amount of physical, mental, and emotional endurance. Caregivers, particularly those who are willing to stick around, tend to possess a unique personality profile - and for good reason. This is not a field for the faint of heart.

“The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun.” -Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)

http://www.onrec.com/news/news-archive/who-are-you-hiring-as-a-caregiver-psychtestscom-reveals-why-personality-is-crucial

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

You know those songs that in grand color immediately transport you back to a specific setting or emotional compass? The songs in which words automatically flow without even thinking about the lyrics? Did you ever think that such songs could be used in therapy or even as modes to overcome physical difficulties?

A recent movie entitled "The Music Never Stopped" explores some of the connections between music, memory, family, and ultimately the mystery of the brain. An estranged son undergoes a surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, and although it's successful, the part of the brain responsible for creating memories has been damaged. The parents realize that music from their son's teenage years is the key to walking forward, even if they are not particular fans.

The movie came on a recent wave of awareness regarding music therapy and the almost miraculous events it incurs. Whether Daniel Levitin's science based book, "This is Your Brain on Music," or Oliver Sachs compilation of personal essays in "Musicophilia" start the conversation, the reality is music is integrally tied to memory.   In the book, Music, the Brain, and Ecstasy, Robert Jourdain reveals that the neural pathway from the ears does not go directly into the central cortex for processing but sends its signals in tentacles throughout the brain, going not only to the verbal centers, but also the parts of the brain that control movement and memories.  Not a believer? Visit a nursing home and count the number of people who can sing songs from their teenage years, meanwhile not knowing the names of their own children. Or the Alzheimer's patient, unable to communicate who, at dinner, suddenly stood and sang the last part of an aria from an opera that she had known in her youth.  Take the example of a music therapist who was leading a sing-along session in an Alzheimer's unit. A resident there with moderate Alzheimer's including aphasia (loss of speech) was a willing dance volunteer as Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played in the background. Then, he proceeded to say the last few words of the song, "Why, Oh Why, Can't I?" (Click Here for Full Article)

To read more on this fascinating subject, check out the following articles on Music Therapy:

http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-music-art-therapy.asp#music

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AlzheimersCommunity/alzheimers-disease-music-brings-patients-back-life/story?id=16117602

More Rules, Less Fun

Any child would wholeheartedly echo the sentiments of the statement above.

“Rules? Who needs rules?” they would mutter mischievously, grinning.

But heavens, let’s not let the kids have all the credit. Adults of any age could say the same thing: once a rule is established, there is an irresistible urge to bend it, all in good fashioned fun. Workplace pranks, puns, a twisting of words, all are good for a hearty laugh, yet generally are not seen as relating to company growth, physical health, or promoting change.

Yet is there a connection between humor, stress, work-place change agents, and physical health? Could FUN and HUMOR influence such relevant cultural keywords like ‘productivity’ and ‘wellness?’  

Gina Barreca recounts the work of Mary Kay Morrison, who has done research on the uses of humor in educational, business, and therapeutic settings. Some of her tenets include the relation between work productivity and humor, in addition to key studies that tie comedy to a decrease in symptoms of chemotherapy patients. Intrigued?

Well, then let the jokes begin.

Read the full article at: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/snow-white-doesnt-live-here-anymore/201207/mary-kay-morrisons-words-live-more-rules-less-fun

The Journey into Home Care

Nearly everyone I meet has a story to tell.  Yesterday three different individuals relayed to me they were dealing with an aging relative.  This will become more and more pervasive as our nation ages.  Starting on January 1st of this year, ten thousand people will turn 65 EVERY DAY for the next 20 years!  By 2050, 20% of the United States population will be over 65 years of age.  Do you need a point of reference to get your arms around this?  Look at Florida today.  Twenty percent of the population of Florida is over 65 today.  Our whole nation will look like Florida by 2050. Disarm Guilt: What do you do if you are being pushed down this path right now?  Many are plagued with inappropriate guilt as they deal with their parents in the home care journey.  We deal with more guilt than most Catholic confessionals at times it seems within our home care agency!  You will need to resist guilt right now.  If there are things you must make right between you and your parent, the time will come to do this later.  Many are haunted by the three words "Woulda, shoulda, coulda".  Would I have been a better daughter?  Should I have done more?  Could I have seen all this coming??...ad infindum, ad nausium.  Resist all these thoughts for now.  Get some rest and make sure you have some relational free time.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Care for Yourself: When we receive instructions on aircraft before take-off, we are told every time to put the oxygen mask on ourselves before assisting others.  The reason is that if oxygen leaves the plane, you only have a few seconds before you lose your ability to be coherent.  As you lose oxygen, your hands lose dexterity and your fingers are like bricks.  If you wait to get oxygen to your own body, you quickly become useless not only to help others, but to save yourself.  The same is true in home care.  As soon as you begin to go down the difficult path of home care for an aging relative, you need to care for yourself first.  Otherwise, the demands will cause you to lose coherence.  How many have been dealing with a parent with dementia and started to feel like you were losing your own sanity?  It happens all the time.  I experienced this myself.  I was with a client to do an initial assessment regarding the needs of a mother with dementia.  I was talking with the daughter while her very confused mother sat with us.  After two hours, I felt near mental exhaustion.  The mother was completely confused which was difficult in itself.  The daughter had been alone with her, dealing with this by herself for so long that she was having difficulty making sense herself.  I literally had two cognitively challenged individuals to work with.  Getting help to them was tough.  You must care for yourself first in home care.  Otherwise you will be like my client mentioned above: you will both start losing your mind.  Care for yourself!

Get Outside Help:  If you are beginning the journey into home care, contact outside help. Many agencies will be listening ears, even if you don't use their services.  You can contact a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) who can come and help you navigate the resources available.  You may call our offices (1-877-549-7894) to talk.  Having someone else to digest information is very important.  Even if they tell you what you already know, at least you will know you are on the right track.

There are more tips and assistance available.  You may contact me at any time via our website at www.accfamily.com.  We are eager to walk with you down this path.

-Jim Lindsay

ACC Family: Our Story

Our Story: We are Adult Companion Care. We are a world-changing home health care company. In 1994 we were caring for my wife's grandmother. We were only 5 hours away from her, but this was a world away when we got the call, "I am on the floor and there is no one here to help me get up." We found some local folks to help and they did help...they helped themselves to some money and to a lot of the food in the refrigerator! In the midst of all this turmoil, someone told my father-in-law that there were companies who provided home care to seniors in this condition as a service. We thought, "What a great idea!"

We started on February 7, 1994. I was the first and only employee. Over the years, I have done every job in the company (except being a nurse as I am not an RN). I have spent the night with clients and changed their soiled diapers. I have cooked and cleaned and driven a zillion miles. I even carried food to a snowed-in client during a snowstorm and carried a substitute caregiver on my back through snow drifts. It has been extraordinary!

We now have been doing this for 18 years this month. We have three offices in three states. We have had the honor to serve many incredible people ranging from Supreme Court Justices, members of the U.S. Senate, and presidential advisors to the sweetest example of a loving mother who never worked a day outside the home who was surrounded by her five blue-collar sons. All this has only increased our desire to serve.

We encourage you to give us a call or visit our website at www.adultcompanioncare.com. Allow us to serve you. We have a team that is second to none! You will be able to tell the difference.

Jim Lindsay  CEO