Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a series

“Each moment of the year has its own beauty……. a picture which was never before and shall never be seen again.” This is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. In the midst or caregiving, we are often so focused on providing care that we don’t take time to record the tender moments that we share with one another. These are the true gifts of caregiving. Writing the precious moments down will provide you with a keepsake in the years to come. Take several deep breaths and allow your body and mind to relax. Think of a positive time you shared with the person for whom you are caring. Write a description of that time in either prose or poetry.

The above paragraph is directly from the book “A Guided Journal for Caregivers” written by Marion Karpinski. Capturing precious moments in writing will be cherished when the time comes that your loved one is no longer here. My uncle and aunt were both in a facility, not at the same time. My uncle lived with Alzheimer’s disease. My cousin had placed a composition book in his room with a pen along side the book. When family and friends would visit, they would sign their name and make comments about the visit. One comment might say; “Visit with Shug was good, we had prayer with him, when we said Amen, he said “Amen Brother Ben, shot a Roster, killed a hen”, he was very happy during the visit, he did not know who we were but, a good visit anyway”, then the person visiting would sign there name. My cousin cherishes the writings, she did this both with her father and her mother. Journaling is therapeutic, it is a renewal of your well-being. Journaling can improve your physical health and your mental health. I once had a caregiver some years back. Her father lived with Alzheimer’s disease. She would journal everything, from happiness to sadness, from sheer angry to sheer joy. She wrote about the outrageous things her father did while living with this disease and she wrote her feelings no matter how good or bad those feelings were. The caregiver stated how she felt relaxed after she wrote, it truly helped her reduce stress. She could write in her journal the words she could not speak to another person.

Learn to journal, it could become an important part of your life! I would like to share a resource with you; Sampson County Department of Aging offers a Support Group for families living with Alzherimer’s disease the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00pm, FMI contact 910-592-4653. There is no fee to attend this support group meeting. I would like to invite you to a mini workshop I will be conducting for the Sampson County Department of Aging. The workshop date is Tuesday December 10th 2:45-3:45 located at the Department of Aging at 405 County Complex Road. I will be teaching “Positive Approach” and “Hand under Hand”, as well as other vital information regarding dementia. You will want to arrive by 2:30 to make sure you get a good seat. If your church or organization is interested in a workshop you can contact me by email ([email protected]), I would love to come out and present. Remember, knowledge is power and until there’s a cure there’s care. Take three deep breaths when you feel overwhelmed. Watch a funny show and laugh! Spend time with a good friend and enjoy a cup of coffee. Hope you have a “Best Day Ever”!

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By Lesia R. Henderson

Contributing columnist

Lesia Henderson is a Certified Positive Approach to Care Trainer.