~A Caregiver's Attention To Detail~

I was reminded once again this past week how important it is to pay attention to details and small changes in someone's health you are caring for. Even if it seems "minor," it should be logged in a journal as a reference. Overtime, your journal will be your best friend. Writing something down is a great way to recall a moment or event in detail long after it happens. We may even believe we will remember everything, but it's impossible. Too much happens in a day, especially for someone who has a high level of care.

A Caregiver's job description is large and that includes creating a comfortable space, a pleasant atmosphere and to observe any changes - big or small. What may seem like a small change may in fact be critical for the person's overall health. Never shrug off or disregard anything out of the ordinary. If you note the changes along the way, it may be valuable information for a doctor or nurse or for the next Caregiver shift. You'll never look back with regret that you didn't keep a record. Your voice and opinion matters!

If you have a disagreement with a family member how your loved one is managing under your care and you can't resolve it, if it were me, I'd be calling the doctor's office to make the report and then ask how to be advised. Ultimately, if you are a primary or part time Caregiver, you have a responsibility to track someone's decline or progress, and report this to the appropriate party. I would never encourage you to go behind someone's back to make a report, but if you feel in your gut this is a concern, I would then take action. Our gut feeling usually signals us for a reason. Pay attention to your cues and then follow through. 

I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather. It feels so good to be outdoors again, that is for sure! Happy Spring! 

If you have people in your life who would appreciate our Caregiver greeting cards & gift lines to celebrate and affirm Caregivers, please have them contact me by email: cbrecht4@gmail.com and refer them to www.tangledartboutique.com to the Caregiver Gallery.

Best Wishes,
Carole Brecht

~The Sandwich Woman, the Heart of the Sandwich Generation~

~Where Words Soothe and Ideas & Art Delight~

www.thesandwichwoman.com

Twitter: bit.ly/SanGenTW

Instagram: bit.ly/SanGenIG

Facebook: bit.ly/SanGenFB

Tangled Art Boutique: bit.ly/TABoutique

Copyright 2016

~Caregiver Designs~

~Some of my most recent Zentangle Inspired Art Caregiver Designs~

Caregiver's are a Beam of Light

Caregiver's Make the World Go 'Round

Caregiver's Sparkle

Psychadelic

The last design is one I started around the holidays last year and I put it away. I looked at it several times along the way and was inspired yesterday to complete it. Though it's not a Caregiver design persay, it is what I do to wind down at day's end some days, to find my peace and to relax. Find a creative outlet for yourself that you can do on your own. It will make a positive difference in your life. And by all means, have fun with  it and don't worry about perfection or the end result. Just have a good time and focus on what you're doing. 

If you have people in your life who would appreciate our Caregiver greeting cards & gift lines to celebrate and affirm Caregivers, please have them contact me by email: cbrecht4@gmail.com and refer them to www.tangledartboutique.com to the Caregiver Gallery.

Best Wishes,
Carole Brecht
~The Sandwich Woman, the Heart of the Sandwich Generation~

~Where Words Soothe and Ideas & Art Delight~

www.thesandwichwoman.com

Twitter: bit.ly/SanGenTW

Instagram: bit.ly/SanGenIG

Facebook: bit.ly/SanGenFB

Tangled Art Boutique: bit.ly/TABoutique

Copyright 2016

~Flower Power~

Spring is in the air and some flowers are already blooming! The world in Pittsburgh, Pa will be in full bloom very soon and our world will once again be colorized. A beautiful sight to behold. 

If you have people in your life who would appreciate our Caregiver greeting cards & gift lines to celebrate and affirm Caregivers, please have them contact me by email: cbrecht4@gmail.com and refer them to www.tangledartboutique.com to the Caregiver Gallery.

Best Wishes,
Carole Brecht

~The Sandwich Woman, the Heart of the Sandwich Generation~

~Where Words Soothe and Ideas & Art Delight~

www.thesandwichwoman.com

Twitter: bit.ly/SanGenTW

Instagram: bit.ly/SanGenIG

Facebook: bit.ly/SanGenFB

Tangled Art Boutique: bit.ly/TABoutique

Copyright 2016

~Spring Ahead~

At last, the cold winter weather is leaving us and the warm, pleasant weather is emerging. It's so nice to open up the doors and windows to let some fresh air in while the sun is shining. I'm so thankful for the season change that allows us to be outdoors riding our bikes, taking a walk or a drive and visiting friends more often than when it's bitter cold.

Spring is a time for warm weather activities. It allows us to expand our horizons physically in a much broader way due to the weather change and daylight lasting longer. A surge of energy comes from the sunshine. Oh to see the wonder of flowers in bloom and leaves on the trees, so beautiful. Be sure to turn your clocks ahead this weekend.

If you're short on time to take a day off or go away for the weekend, find a few minutes to walk outside, take a short drive or stop at a friend's home on your way to or from work. The main goal is to make some time for yourself and do something outside. Sometimes it's fun to visit a greenhouse just to look at all the pretty flowers. That doesn't cost a dime. Sitting on a porch is a great way to get some fresh air and see the landscape.

The year is still young and there's still time to join a class in the morning or the evening, grow a garden, take up a hobby, create something from Michaels or learn Zentangle. Zentangle is my thing. I also like to practice my handwriting with my non-dominant hand for 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a week. When I first started doing this my handwriting looked like an old persons. I've practiced over the last six years and now it's very legible. This discipline is good for me. I have to write much slower than my dominant hand to be able to read it. I am also exercising my brain this way with an activity that stimulates different parts of it. It took a lot of practice for me to get to where I am today. It also took a lot of determination. The benefits I get from this are so great and it's something I do enjoy and can do by myself.

Whatever you do for yourself, make sure you enjoy it!

If you have people in your life who would appreciate our Caregiver greeting cards & gift lines to celebrate and affirm Caregivers, please have them contact me by email: cbrecht4@gmail.com and refer them to www.tangledartboutique.com to the Caregiver Gallery.

Best Wishes,
Carole Brecht

~The Sandwich Woman, the Heart of the Sandwich Generation~

~Where Words Soothe and Ideas & Art Delight~

www.thesandwichwoman.com

Twitter: bit.ly/SanGenTW

Instagram: bit.ly/SanGenIG

Facebook: bit.ly/SanGenFB

Tangled Art Boutique: bit.ly/TABoutique

Copyright 2016