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.