Free Articles
Moments with Madelyn Series
You are welcome to copy, share, and publish any of Elaine’s articles on this page. Please include her name as the author, and her contact information, which is included in the resource box at the bottom of each article.
A Moment with Madelyn
- Develop an Attitude of “Creative Indifference”
Based on an excerpt from Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver
Any caregiver will tell you that the physical aspect of caregiving can be dreary, demanding, and sometimes downright disgusting. But as difficult as that is, it doesn’t even begin to compare to the emotional stress of the job. Most caregivers find they must continually cope with feelings of anger, guilt, depression, and grief. It is important to remember that having negative feelings doesn’t make you a bad person. At the same time, maintaining a laser-focus on those negative feelings can take a terrible toll on your physical and mental health. Read More…
A Moment with Madelyn – Claim Some Time for Yourself
Based on an excerpt from Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver
Sometimes when caregivers do something just for themselves they feel like they are taking something away from their care receiver. The opposite is true. Having something to look forward to and doing an activity you enjoy energizes you; it relieves stress, and it helps you to feel refreshed. When you are feeling balanced physically, mentally, and emotionally, you are better able to care for others. Read More…
A Moment with Madelyn – Learn Something New
Based on an excerpt from Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver
As a caregiver, you may be physically confined much of the time, but no one can put restrictions on where or how far your mind can go. Embrace the process of learning. Reading to expand your mind, developing a new skill, or even performing a routine task in a different way can be invigorating. Read More…
A Moment with Madelyn – Savor Happy Memories
Based on an excerpt from Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver
People who are chronically ill or suffer constant pain can get demanding, cranky, and depressed. Being with them can get extremely tiresome, and it can be easy to forget who your loved one was before he or she got sick. Read More…
A Moment with Madelyn – Accepting Death as a Part of Life
Based on an excerpt from Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver
We all know that it is inevitable, but in our society death is often viewed as the ultimate failure to control our circumstances. Extreme measures are frequently taken to prolong life, even when there is no hope for improvement or recovery. Often when families find themselves that situation, they stop talking. It’s unfortunate when this happens, because once a loved one is gone, there will never be another opportunity to express love or to heal old wounds. Read More…
Coping with Caregiver Anger
How to deal with the Three F’s of Flipping Out . . . Fatigue . . . Fear . . . & Frustration
As a caregiver, the number of situations and people with which you can become upset are practically limitless. You may be angry at the disease or the injury. You may be mad at your care receiver, the medical community, the military, insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, siblings, children, friends, and coworkers. The list goes on and on. Read More…
Understanding Caregiver Guilt
The dictionary defines guilt as a feeling of having done wrong or having failed in an obligation. Guilt isn’t all bad, in that it prevents us from intentionally inflicting pain, injury, or suffering on others. It can, however, be an extremely cruel and controlling emotion. Read more…
Dealing with Caregiver Depression
Twenty-five to fifty percent of caregivers experience depression.* The rates are highest among individuals who care for spouseswith dementia. It is not unusual for caregivers to experience two different types of depression – reactionary and clinical. Read More…
Saying Goodbye
To Val, our German Shepherd/Dobie mix dog, there was no question that my husband Alex was the alpha male in the house. She respected him. She obeyed him. She bounced with enthusiasm at his approval and cowered in shame when he scolded her. There was only one thing that excited her more than his attention and affection, and that was getting her nighttime treat. Read More..
