The Zen of Grown Up Coloring

13 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Books, Caregiver Burnout, Caregivers, Helpful Resources, Ruminations, Smiles, Tips

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adult coloring books, caregiver mini respite, caregiver stress, caregiver tips, grown up coloring

As much as the world has come to depend on technology, I sometimes find myself wondering if it’s a blessing or a curse. The benefits gained as a result of computers, smartphones, and tablets are irrefutable; however, these things have also ushered in the era of being connected 24x7x365. Multitasking has practically become an Olympic sport, as it’s done to an increasingly absurd degree.

Looking For a Reprieve?

Whether you’re a full-time caregiver or someone who has a full-time career and oversees the care of a loved one, you know what it feels like to be overwhelmed and on the verge of burnout. You yearn for simpler times and wish you could just turn it all off (both figuratively and literally) for a few hours!

My caregiving days are over, but with a full-time-and-then-some career as well as writing, advocacy, and volunteer pursuits on the side, and the usual life/home maintenance activities, things can get dicey. Like most of the rest of the world, I struggle with priorities and balance some days more than others.

Stress has a significant bearing on our overall health and wellness, and caregivers know this better than anyone. So with life moving at such a fast pace, how do we find time for respite when a month in Hawaii or even just a quiet week at home isn’t in the cards?

When all else fails, grab a coloring book!

secret Next time you feel your priorities are askew, your perspective is out of whack, or your brain is just craving a time out, pick up a coloring book!

As unlikely as it sounds, Scottish artist Johanna Basford has sold over 1.4 million copies of her first adult coloring book, Secret Garden. The follow up, Enchanted Forest, appears to be following suit; both books are sold out on Amazon and BN.com!

In this article by Katelyn Murphy, Basford explains that she simply set out to create a coloring book she would enjoy. Noting the carefree nature of children, she wondered if an activity as simple as coloring might bring calm to an otherwise chaotic adult world. To her surprise, thousands of others desperate for a bit of relaxation sans smartphone or other electronic devices decided she was onto something.

Sound interesting? Just Google “Adult Coloring” or do a search on Pinterest and prepare to be amazed! This stress-busting diversion is a piece of cake to get into, requiring very little time and just a few inexpensive materials. Here is a great list of 16 Colouring Books Perfect for Grown-ups, courtesy of BuzzFeed.

My First Grown Up Coloring Experience

In the interest of, ahem, science, I decided I should check this out for myself so I stopped at Barnes & Noble over the weekend and picked up my first “grown up” coloring book. With a dozen or so options to choose from, I selected Peace & Love by Thaneeya McArdle and settled on a set of 12 Rikota Brush Markers (which, by the way, I love!).

The book begins with a few basics on coloring mediums, an explanation of the color wheel, and some beautiful examples of bright designs in rich, vivid, “feel good” tones. Just flipping through the pages had me eager to let my inner artist run wild and sure enough after about an hour I decided that perhaps I’ve been looking for Zen in all the wrong places.

I really enjoyed this time, and focusing on the detailed pattern cleared my mind of its usual pandemonium (no small feat). There’s something about the act of coloring that really is Zen-like, and I think that feeling, combined with the overall sense of joy found in creative pursuits, makes this a great temporary escape from reality.

So to all of my co-workers: should you come by my office tomorrow and find me coloring – worry not! It’s just a few minutes of calm in the midst of a typical frenetic workday, and if you’re extra nice, I might even let you use my markers!

I’d love to hear from others on this topic. What do you think? Have you or would you give coloring a try at this stage in your life? Why or why not? If you’ve already found it to be something you enjoy, tell us about your experience.

Fog: It’s Not Just a Weather Condition

15 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Caregivers, Early Onset, Expectations, Face of Alzheimer's, Helpful Resources, Mom, Reblog

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alzheimers, dementia, understanding alzheimers, younger onset alzheimers

A brilliant piece by Brian LeBlanc, who is living with young onset Alzheimer’s. When I think back to my mom in terms of what Brian is describing, it all makes sense. The moments of clarity. The fog rolling in and out. Never knowing when it will come or go. Thank you, Brian, for helping us understand, because understanding makes us better caregivers.

A Bit of Brian's Brilliance

I’m frequently asked, “how have you been” or “how are you feeling?” or “how was your day?” My most frequent response is “a little foggy.”

In an effort to help everyone understand what I am trying to say, I consulted www.merriam-webster.com and looked up fog. This is what I found:

nounˈfȯg, fäg

: many small drops of water floating in the air above the ground, the sea, etc.

: a state of mental confusion

The second definition, as you may have guessed, is the one that I refer to.

To give you an example, imagine driving down the road. Fog has set in and visibility is obstructed. You can’t see much, you’re cautious of your surroundings because of the dense fog. All of a sudden, you break through to a clearing. You can see all around you. Your vision is clear and you can proceed as…

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Long-Term Care: Extra Support When You Need It

08 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Care Options, Caregivers, Guilt and Regrets, Helpful Resources, Hospice, Mom, Support system

≈ 9 Comments

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alzheimers, caregiver support, caregiving, hospice, long-term care ombudsman

The decision to place a loved one in a care facility is heart wrenching no matter the circumstances. When the time comes, we are filled with uncertainty, apprehension, and an overwhelming sense of guilt. They took care of us; how can we not do the same? What will people think? Does this make me a bad daughter/son/husband/wife?

The Critical Role of Managing Care

I think it’s so important for caregivers to understand that placing a loved one is in no way synonymous with failure. Dementia is a long, agonizing road, and not everyone is equipped to care for a family member at home. Sometimes the decision to seek assistance makes you a better caregiver in the long run.

When you place a loved one your role will change, but you will remain the most essential member of the care team. Now you will oversee their care and act as their most staunch advocate. With daily care left to a team of experienced caregivers, you can be the daughter/son/husband/wife again. You can focus on their wellbeing, creating moments of joy, and just loving them. I can’t think of a more crucial role.

But with all of that said, what resources are available to provide help when needed?

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

As a nurse, Jan Larsen-Fendt spent more than 20 years working with the elderly in various settings including rehab, long-term care, and hospice. When she retired, she wanted to continue her work with the elderly in some capacity, so she trained to become an Ombudsman.

What is the definition of a Long-Term Care Ombudsman? According to the Administration on Aging:

Long-Term Care Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted living facilities and similar adult care facilities. They work to resolve problems of individual residents and to bring about changes at the local, state and national levels that will improve residents’ care and quality of life.

When she completed her training and became certified, Jan said, “I felt as though I should have a cape and a shirt with a big “O” on it!! I could finally DO something about people’s complaints/concerns.”

She wants caregivers to know there are places to turn for help when issues arise in care facilities. “The Ombudsman program is a government program and works side by side with the Department of Health,” Jan explains. “If you have concerns that are not being addressed by the facility your loved one is in, contact your local Ombudsman.”

Facilities are required by law to display posters bearing Long-Term Care Ombudsman contact information. You can also consult The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care to find the Ombudsman in your area.

Thoughts on Hospice

Jan highly recommends engaging hospice sooner than later. Unmanageable staff-to-resident ratios can and often do lead to issues in long-term care facilities. While the staff may want to do more for a resident, the workload simply might not allow it.

As a hospice nurse, Jan explains, she was charged with overseeing care and serving as a patient advocate. Hospice typically does not operate under the same staffing constraints that impede LTC facilities so they are able to provide an extra sets of eyes and ears.”

“Don’t ever hesitate to ask for a referral to hospice. Don’t let a nurse just say, ‘No, he’s not ready for that.’ It’s up to the doctor. There are many ways to get a person on hospice,” says Jan. “Hospice does not always mean imminent death. We have even had people ‘graduate’ from the program.”

Don’t Go It Alone

The bottom line is this. Even if a loved one is not under your direct, 24×7 care, your role as his or her care manager is vital. But remember, you aren’t alone. There are agencies and services you can call on for assistance. Your local Office on Aging is a great place to start; don’t hesitate to reach out to them for guidance.

During my mom’s illness, I enlisted the help of the LTC Ombudsman. The office could not have been more supportive. I was immediately struck by their passion and dedication to ensuring our loved ones are being properly cared for.

We also utilized hospice services and found the extra support to be a godsend. Mom was on hospice for a relatively short period, but during that time, the caring compassion shown to us as a family was incredible.

Please don’t wait to reach out for support; this is a journey that doesn’t have to be traveled alone.