ElderCare Expert Blog » service http://www.agingpro.com/blog Inspiring, Educating and Empowering Caregivers Cheryl Mathieu, Ph.D., M.S.W. Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:28:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 What can you do for your country, and yourself? http://www.agingpro.com/blog/2009/01/what-can-you-do-for-your-country-and-yourself/ http://www.agingpro.com/blog/2009/01/what-can-you-do-for-your-country-and-yourself/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:24:41 +0000 Cheryl Mathieu http://www.agingpro.com/blog/?p=154 We had an historic inauguration of our 44th president last week. He asked for each of us to look at where we might be able to change in order to help our country. Caregivers are serving already, making a significant difference to our country by keeping the long term care costs lower.

As caregivers, here are some questions to reflect upon if you are called to…

1.  How can I take even better loving care of myself?
2.  How can I serve my community or my family?
3.  What can I give back?
4.  Are there ways that I can take better care of the environment?
5.  Are there ways I can better live within my financial means?
6.  Is there an area in my life where I might better choose peace?

]]> http://www.agingpro.com/blog/2009/01/what-can-you-do-for-your-country-and-yourself/feed/ 0 Family Caregivers are Answering Obama’s Call to Service http://www.agingpro.com/blog/2009/01/family-caregivers-are-answering-obamas-call-to-service/ http://www.agingpro.com/blog/2009/01/family-caregivers-are-answering-obamas-call-to-service/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:21:52 +0000 Cheryl Mathieu http://www.agingpro.com/blog/?p=122 Are you making you making your community or world a better place by being of service? President Obama has made national service an important cause – and wants to make it possible for all Americans to serve their country.

34 million family caregivers have already been answering Obama’s call to service. A study by AARP (“Valuing the Invaluable”) shows that family caregiving the U.S. reached $375 billion in 2007.  That exceeds the $311 spent by Medicaid last year!

Family caregivers also give an average of $5,531 of their own money to care for their parents. They tend to struggle with physical and financial issues of their own, and be more stressed.

Many times, family caregivers could use to be of greater service to themselves, while taking care of others.  Access to needed resources, self-care and health promotion and having a support system to talk to about the challenges of caregiving is critical.  www.AgingPro.com offers the national resources, education and community to help caregivers reduce stress and increase peace of mind.

Family caregivers – thank you for your service!

]]> http://www.agingpro.com/blog/2009/01/family-caregivers-are-answering-obamas-call-to-service/feed/ 0 Obama asks for a National Day of Service January 19, 2009 http://www.agingpro.com/blog/2009/01/obama-asks-for-a-national-day-of-service-january-19-2009/ http://www.agingpro.com/blog/2009/01/obama-asks-for-a-national-day-of-service-january-19-2009/#comments Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:20:17 +0000 Cheryl Mathieu http://www.agingpro.com/blog/?p=114 Being of service always makes me feel better!  Getting out of my own “stuff” and giving of my overflow relieves tension and brings joy.  I’ve heard “service is its own reward” and that has been my experience.  So, here’s an opportunity!

President-elect Obama has called for January 19, 2009, the day before the inauguration, to be a National Day of Service.  Get involved with helping your community by finding a service project near you – go to this website and enter your zip code.   http://www.usaservice.org/content/home/

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