Caring for a parent whose memory is changing, is something I describe as an emotional rollercoaster filled with:
uncertainty of what's to come,
confusion about what is happening,
shock about what just happened,
sadness as you bear witness to your parent behaving differently than how they were,
and unexpected moments of happiness and hope as your parent surprises you with their ability to recall their memories.
This rollercoaster ride is often embraced alone or with a select few individuals who get it.
And, while you may have friends and family you can talk to, sometimes it is just not enough.
They may mean well by giving advice, or some may make dismissing statements or question your interpretation of what you are noticing. Regardless, it is not uncommon for caregivers, like youreself - whether near or far - to feel like you need another kind of support.
That is where I can come in!
uncertainty of what's to come,
confusion about what is happening,
shock about what just happened,
sadness as you bear witness to your parent behaving differently than how they were,
and unexpected moments of happiness and hope as your parent surprises you with their ability to recall their memories.
This rollercoaster ride is often embraced alone or with a select few individuals who get it.
And, while you may have friends and family you can talk to, sometimes it is just not enough.
They may mean well by giving advice, or some may make dismissing statements or question your interpretation of what you are noticing. Regardless, it is not uncommon for caregivers, like youreself - whether near or far - to feel like you need another kind of support.
That is where I can come in!
Hi, my name is Christine.
As a clinical social worker, with 14 years of experience working with adult children concerned about a parent with dementia, I can help you with the following:
A Space to Process your Grief - caring for your parent comes with many responsibilities and often we are lost in the day to day of making phone calls, scheduling doctors appointments, and let's not forget about working.
This can make you feel overwhelmed, exhausted and perhaps just wishing things were back to the way they were before. Scheduling time to talk about what you are feeling and experiencing can leave you walking away feeling more equipped to handle your everyday tasks.
Teach You How to Reflect and Honor Your Needs - caring for parent can be a lot like caring for a child, only there are a lot more moving parts. The emotional toll of seeing your parent change and become someone they were not, can be scary and draining.
Being the best you can be for both yourself and for your parent means you need to develop daily habits that can help you reflect on your needs, prioritize the important stuff and learn to let go of the things that don't really matter. We can work on this together.
Show You How to Create a Better Bond with Your Parent - learning to be present with life's ever changing "curve balls" is something many of us struggle with. Each day can feel as if we are rushing out of bed to get things done only to rush back into bed. Doing so can often lead to feelings of guilt, sadness and regret when we realize we didn't make time to share moments of laughter and joy with our loved one.
Increasing your mindfulness around how you spent your day vs. how you wanted to spend your day can lead to you being able to have better interactions and quality time with your parent. Learning to see the "miracles" that occur in each day and celebrating the little "wins" can not only allow you to appreciate your time with your parent but it can also allow you to bring more joy into your and your parent's life.
Our work together will center on learning how to be mindful as well as identifying ways to build self-care into your daily routine despite how little time you believe you have tend to your needs.
Connect or Re-Connect with Your Spirituality - the ability to connect to our higher purpose or re-connect to something we once had but lost, can work wonders when trying to emotionally process our grief. Our work together can include the exploration of your spiritual and/or religious beliefs so that we can use it to help you better support yourself, your parent and expand your social support system.
A Space to Process your Grief - caring for your parent comes with many responsibilities and often we are lost in the day to day of making phone calls, scheduling doctors appointments, and let's not forget about working.
This can make you feel overwhelmed, exhausted and perhaps just wishing things were back to the way they were before. Scheduling time to talk about what you are feeling and experiencing can leave you walking away feeling more equipped to handle your everyday tasks.
Teach You How to Reflect and Honor Your Needs - caring for parent can be a lot like caring for a child, only there are a lot more moving parts. The emotional toll of seeing your parent change and become someone they were not, can be scary and draining.
Being the best you can be for both yourself and for your parent means you need to develop daily habits that can help you reflect on your needs, prioritize the important stuff and learn to let go of the things that don't really matter. We can work on this together.
Show You How to Create a Better Bond with Your Parent - learning to be present with life's ever changing "curve balls" is something many of us struggle with. Each day can feel as if we are rushing out of bed to get things done only to rush back into bed. Doing so can often lead to feelings of guilt, sadness and regret when we realize we didn't make time to share moments of laughter and joy with our loved one.
Increasing your mindfulness around how you spent your day vs. how you wanted to spend your day can lead to you being able to have better interactions and quality time with your parent. Learning to see the "miracles" that occur in each day and celebrating the little "wins" can not only allow you to appreciate your time with your parent but it can also allow you to bring more joy into your and your parent's life.
Our work together will center on learning how to be mindful as well as identifying ways to build self-care into your daily routine despite how little time you believe you have tend to your needs.
Connect or Re-Connect with Your Spirituality - the ability to connect to our higher purpose or re-connect to something we once had but lost, can work wonders when trying to emotionally process our grief. Our work together can include the exploration of your spiritual and/or religious beliefs so that we can use it to help you better support yourself, your parent and expand your social support system.
Ready to Start Improving Your Relationship with Yourself and Your Parent?
Contact me today to schedule your 20 Minute Phone Consultation!
E-mail: |
Phone:(718) 314-9280
|
Address:127 Union Ave., Ste 4
Middlesex, NJ 08846 |
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