It's a Whole New Year.

I hope everyone had a manageable holiday season.  Sometimes this can be the hardest time of the year if your family isn't what it once was.  In the New Year, I wish all of you more abundance, patience, and assistance!

Our support groups are still going strong.  Make it part of your New Year's resolutions to get yourself the support you need through going to group.  You wouldn't believe the information, comfort, and friendship we all share that's waiting for you. 

To those current members of my groups, I'm so glad to have had the chance to get to know you and share your lives, and I look forward to more of it!

Seattle group in January is Monday, the13th at 10am.
Everett group in January is Friday, the 10th at 10am.

December groups!

We had a great Everett group on Friday, and we welcome our newest members!  This is a tough thing to be dealing with and we are so grateful for your honest emotions and sharing of possibilities. 

As you all know, we are heading into the holidays.  Argh.  I was just speaking to someone and I asked about their plans for Thanksgiving.  This person talked about the family that was coming, and the food, and that they were looking forward to it.  Then the person mentioned that Thanksgiving was the anniversary of their spouse's stroke!  So a double whammy - first Thanksgiving without a spouse as well as the anniversary of a serious illness.  Remember to be gentle with yourselves as we approach the holiday season.  It can be hard for all sorts of reasons, as I learned above.

Take extra time for yourself if you need it, or spend more time with family and friends.  Perform whatever rituals make you happy, and don't worry if there is a little crying!  Above all, put yourself first and be aware that you may feel some physical effects as well as emotional and mental.

We will be having our December groups as normal.  Seattle group the 9th at 10am; Everett group the 13th at 10am. 

Take care!

Jury Update.

My jury duty had been deferred a few months so I will be present at both groups in November.  Let normal programming resume.

Tricky November.

It has been pointed out to me re: the Everett group, that the second Friday in November is actually the 8th since the 1st is on Friday.  Please note the group has decided to hold group on November 15th anyway.  Those of you who, like me, didn't even look at the calendar and realize this, go on about your business!

However, that said, I also have Jury duty starting November 4th, and while I hope I am not chosen, this could affect the meetings.  I will keep the site updated about this.

Seattle meeting is November 11, 10-11:30.

Everett meeting is November 15, 10-11:30.

Change of Seasons.

Greetings to all our visitors and group attendees.  This is just an update on the two groups and what will be happening in the next few months.

The Wallingford, Seattle group is the second Monday morning of each month, from 10-11:30.  Please note there is no group in October as I will be out of town.  The group will continue through the end of the year as it is scheduled and will continue into 2014.

The Everett group takes place the second Friday morning of each month, from 10-11:30.  There is also no group in October.  Group will continue through the end of the year as scheduled, and continue into 2014. 

I hope you all enjoy our lovely Fall season, and I'll be seeing all of you in November.  The LBDA Support line is always available for any questions, problems, or concerns that you may have; call the number and leave a message and a Lewy Buddy (maybe me!) will get back to you as soon as possible.   800-539-9767

Mark Your Calendars!

Well, it's been an absolutely beautiful summer and I hope you all have enjoyed it as I have.

Our Everett group was a success - it was lovely to meet Helen and Jim Whitworth and have them sit in on our group.  The depth of their knowledge and understanding of LBD and the challenges faced by sufferer and caregiver alike is amazing and it was a pleasure to here their perspective.  They are bringing out a new book, the first draft of which I have been honored to read, and I think it is only going to bring more help and information to those who need it most.  I still recommend their first book, A Caregiver's Guide to Lewy Body Dementia, as being the best, most comprehensive guide out there for LBD caregivers.  You can find it at their website, www.LBDtools.com.

Our groups start up again in September, and it will be lovely to see everyone and meet new people.  The Seattle group will be meeting September 9 from 10-11:30.  The Everett group will be meeting September 13 from 10-11:30. 

Please note there will be no groups in October as I will be out of town, but regular groups will resume in November and go throughout this year and the next!

Also, don't forget to mark your calendars and tune in to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's Care Connection Teleconference on Thursday, September 12, 2013 from1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (ET) to hear me speak and/or speak to me!

'This free teleconference is designed for both family caregivers and professional caregivers of individuals with dementia. Joy Walker, hospice worker, bereavement counselor, and author of "Three Years and Thirteen Dumpsters" will discuss "Living Choices at the End of Life." Call toll-free: 877-594-8353. Guest identification number: 46692951#'

Distinguished Vistors!

Remember that there is no Seattle group in August due to the fact that it is summer and everyone is outside!

We will be having a group in Everett, however, because the Whitworth's of A Caregiver's Guide to Lewy Body Dementia, fame, are visiting us!  We're very excited to be welcoming them back to the Carl Gipson Senior Center and hope everyone can make it.

Please note that the group is Thursday, August 8.

Regular groups commence in September.

Holidaze!

As many of you probably already know, holidays, even relatively smaller ones like Fourth of July, can be really difficult when you are giving care, or have just lost someone you cared for - especially if that holiday was a favorite of the family.

At these times, try, try, try to take extra good care of yourself and be patient with yourself and your care-taker.  Feel the loss of having that person participate in the festivities the way they used to and let it out - maybe with a little discreet crying later on when you're alone.  Disregard other people expectations, needs, or requests that you attend or help out at a function.  Don't be afraid to put yourself first in these situations.

Alternatively, if you crave company, don't isolate yourself by being home alone.  Call a friend, find a family get-together, try to make a connection with someone who cares about you.  You'll be glad you did!

Reminder.

Just a reminder that our next Seattle group is Monday, July 8th, with no group in August.
Our Everett group is Friday, July12th.  
Hope to see you all there!
 

Summer Time!

We had a great group meeting on Monday - thank you to everyone for coming, and thank you to Xeljka from the American Parkinson's Disease Association, http://www.parkinson.org/community.aspx, for stopping by and sharing her information and lovely smile!

We will be having our July group on the eighth, and would love to see whoever can make it, but there will be no August group.  We will resume normal group time in September.  Everyone is outside in Seattle in the summer since it's the only time we get sun! Nobody wants to be sitting inside, even if it is for group.

I'll keep on posting, however, and I wish great summer weather for you all.

Group Time and a Book Review.

We have our fourth group coming up next Monday the 10th in Seattle, from 10-11:30.  I would love to hear how everyone is doing so I hope you all can find the time to attend!

Our Everett group is next Friday the 14th from 10-11:30 at the Carl Gipson Senior Center - everyone is welcome!

I have a great book for Lewy Body that I finished a few weeks ago that I'm recommending to everyone who is dealing with LBD.  It is called, Living With Lewy's:Empowering Today's Dementia Caregiver, by Amy and Gerald Throop.  It is an informative, fact-filled, comprehensive resource that is great for people who don't have much time.  The sections are clear and straight-forward and can be flipped to quickly if specific information is needed. It is a great resource to keep on hand for quick referral.

Third Time's a Charm!

We had a great group yesterday, thanks to everyone who participated and shared their stories!  Our next groups are June 10th in Seattle, and June 14th in Everett.  Hope to see you all there, and keep doing the great job I know you are all doing.

Northern Group.

For those of you in Everett who need a support group, the first meeting of our Everett group will be May 9 at 9:45am at the:
Carl Gipson Senior Center
 3025 Lombard Ave.
Everett, WA 98201
T: 425-257-8780

You can check this blog for info or contact me at the same email, joyincaregiving@yahoo.com.

I hope to see you there.

Let's Try This Again...

Next Monday, May 13th is our next group and I'm looking forward to it!  Bring yourselves, bring your friends, bring your family - stay for the support.

Cancelled due to illness.

I'm not sure if anyone is checking this site before going to the group this morning but I've had to cancel it due to illness.  I don't want to infect anyone - and I'm so sorry for the late notice!  Hopefully, our next group will proceed without problem.

Support Group for All!

Our second group is tomorrow in Seattle from 10am to 12pm, location and directions on the sidebar.  I look forward to seeing anyone who needs a little extra help and support!

 The Caregiver's Bill of Rights.

I have the right:

• To take care of myself. Caregiving is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my loved one.
• To seek help from others even though my loved ones may object. Only I can recognize the limits of my endurance and strength.
• To maintain facets of my life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.
• To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.
• To reject any attempts by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, and/or depression.
• To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones, for as long as I offer these qualities in return.
• To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
• To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my loved one no longer needs my full-time help.
• To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically- and mentally-impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting caregivers.

 This version was taken from www.caregivers.utah.gov, where it is attributed to Jo Horne.

Fantastic!

Our first group was lovely; thank you to all the participants for coming and sharing.  The second group is on April 15th in the morning, at the same location.  I'm looking forward to it already!

Second Meeting.

Hello everyone, I'm so looking forward to our first group meeting!  My intention had always been to have the group on the 25th and assess what future times/weeks worked for everyone who wanted to keep attending, instead of arbitrarily setting a time or week.  The day will always be Monday, it's just a question of morning or evening, and which week of the month.

It's been brought to my attention that there is demand for a morning meeting, so I have reserved my meeting space for a second group on Monday, April 15th from 10am to 12pm in an effort to see if that might serve everyone's needs better. 

If you are unable to make it to the evening meeting on the 25th, I hope you're able to come to our second meeting.  I hope this will turn out to be a helpful and supportive group for as many people as possible! 

Group Dynamics.

I'm very excited for our first group and discussion on March 25th!  I really want this to be a group where caregivers find comfort and support, where we can exchange strategies and ideas, and maybe find new ways to do this crazy job we've been given.  I have some things to talk about, of course, but bring your ideas about possible subjects and ways the group can go.  I can't wait to meet everyone!

A New Day.

Greetings, and welcome to the blog that supports the support group!  This site will be available to the members of our group to gather and exchange information.  I welcome all family members or caregivers for people with Lewy Body Dementia to join us at our first group meeting on March 25, 2013!