Let's Count Our Blessings!
Why feeling gratitude is a fundamental part of the holiday season
Dear Caregivers,
As we head into the holidays and the new year, I find myself, as I’m sure many of you do, taking stock of the year that has gone by and looking to the new year ahead. And a big part of that effort, as the famous song in the holiday movie “White Christmas” goes, is “counting my blessings.”
Counting blessings may seem counterintuitive, given all you and your loved one have been going through this year and the uncertainty of the future. But surely, we are all blessed with this miracle of life, family, and community, which Alzheimer’s impacts, but cannot destroy.
However you celebrate your holidays, I hope you find time to feel just how blessed we all are.
Here are some ideas to consider:
Find the Joy as a Caregiver:
The challenge that family caregivers face is to learn acceptance, to live in the present moment, and to let go of things you cannot control. This is a challenge to be sure, but if there can be any joy in caregiving, this is where it is.
Embrace Your Caregiving Village:
There is a lot we can all learn from each other as we go through our individual journeys as caregivers. There are some needs and feelings that are universal, and learning how others manage and navigate can often be hugely comforting. Here’s how to create a caregiving alliance with doctors, healthcare professionals, and others in your community.
Have a Backup Plan:
One of caregiving’s great blessings is that you are not alone in your journey. And in fact, a critical step in reducing your own caregiving stress is to have the security of knowing that there is another, “Plan B” caregiver, who would be able to quickly take over as advocate and guardian for your loved one in the event that you are no longer able to. Here’s how to gain that peace of mind.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Everybody has problems, but everybody also has blessings in life.”
— Robert W. Bly
