Thank You for your Kind Wishes

September 17, 2008 By 1 Comment

It’s been a big week for me. Talking to people all over and having some of them come back with kind wishes for my success with Adopt A Caregiver.

Today I found myself on the blog of www.TenderLovingEldercare.com. Wow, that was a huge surprise and a most welcome one. Thank you for all your kind wishes, and helping me to get my word out about my journey and proving that word of mouth is potent. One by one by one, we can do this. Caregivers are lonely, hurting, and they think no one understands. Believe me those who read my book, Behind The Mask, know what it’s like to stand in a caregivers shoes. They need our help.

There was also an article in the Orange County newspaper today from Jane Glenn Haas, whom I have met before, and she believes in helping the caregivers. It take it’s toll on caregivers; they are victims themselves.

You never know how your life could change in an instant. So give something back now. Help all those who can’t help themselves. Adopt A Caregiver.

I believe all this is Bershert! That is a Yiddish word for “it’s meant to be” Little did I know when Howard was diagnosed that I would write a secret journal, and then publish it, and then to my surprise realize that my book has a purpose. It is every new caregivers story. And that is why I want everyone to

Adopt A Caregiver.

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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Alzheimer's Association says Go Purple

September 16, 2008 By Leave a Comment

The Alzheimer’s Association says that Sunday September 21st is ‘go purple’ day. I love purple, my home has a lot of purple, many of my clothes are purple and Behind The Mask has a purple cover.

I had forgotten that Alzheimer’s Association is purple connected. When my granddaughter was asked to do the cover for my book, Behind The Mask, she said, “Gram, your favorite color is purple, can we do the book cover in purple?”

“Of course I said, I love purple.” And she designed the cover in purple. I hope the Alzheimer’s Association likes it.

On September 18th the Alzheimer’s Association is coming out with an Alzheimer’s stamp. Please buy them and help the cause.

You can help my new journey, Adopt A Caregiver, just by spreading the word. Plant the seed by word of mouth and our persistence and courage will see us through.

We don’t want to leave the caregiver alone and depressed. No one in our community should have to go through this alone. We can help. All it takes is a few minutes of your time. Send an email, a joke, be a friend. Help those who are feeling alone and helpless.

Lets wipe away some of the caregivers tears. We can help each other right in our own community.

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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The Journal was my Journey

September 15, 2008 By 1 Comment

My secret journal was my journey. When my husband was suddenly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease I started my secret journal. Seven years later, when they changed the diagnosis I shoed him the journal, and he said, “Publish this.”

I finally did several more years later and now I’m embarked on a new journey. Starting with my own community I want everyone to Adopt A Caregiver. That is my vision for the future. Too many caregivers are alone and depressed. People call and ask, “How is the patient today?” Does anyone ask how you are doing?

One by one by word of mouth, which is so potent, I am planting the seed. Adopt A Caregiver and it is going to grow and spread with your help.

My vision for the future is to wipe away all the caregivers tears.

Every community can do this. Read my book, Behind The Mask, see what it feels like to be a new caregiver. Then and only then will you know how to be compassionate. Send an email, encourage caregivers to write in a journal to get their feelings out. Send them a journal with a bright colored pen, tell them to vent. Be a friend, listen, care, that’s all I ask.

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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In One Second Your Life Changes

September 14, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you suddenly became a caregiver? Do you ever think about what would become of your family, friends and others around you?

Would you be scared, depressed, feeling helpless and alone? Of course you would, that would only be natural.

Real life happens that way. So think about it. And think about all the people you know that are caregivers. Give a thought to what is going through their mind. Think about how they must be feeling.

Give something back, be thankful for your life. Adopt A Caregiver.

Nothing to pay, nothing to join, no committment, except to yourself.

Adopt A Caregiver, be a friend, listen, help those who can’t help themselves.

Just think about it, your life could change in one second.  Wouldn’t you want someone to care?

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Me

September 12, 2008 By 1 Comment

It’s in the 90′s here in Las Vegas, but my body is telling me that winter is here. That’s what Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue feels like. Everything hurts! Parts of my body are already feeling the cold, inside.

Hard to concentrate, hard to write, but attitude is so important, I keep telling myself, tomorrow is another day. I’m going to the knitting club and relax for awhile, then do some errands, and come home to rest.

After my rest, I will read the rest of the old emails I wrote to my dear friend in North Carolina during the time my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. We have kept in touch these many years. Those letters still brought tears to my eyes, both for her and for myself.I remind myself, how lucky we are and how blessed.

I will Adopt A Caregiver whenever I have time, and I hope you all will too. The caregivers need our support. We need to support caregivers.

Remember one by one, by word of mouth we can all spread the word. The seed is now planted and we can watch it spread.

My secret journal, now the book, Behind The Mask will explain how a new caregiver feels. Understand, stand in their shoes, and then go out and Adopt A Caregiver.

For those of you starting a memoir, it’s easy to just start it as a letter. Dear —, or Dear Self, try it, it works.

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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We Adopted Each Other

September 11, 2008 By 2 Comments

I spent a large portion of my time today looking over emails I had saved since 1993. When my husband was suddenly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and we were strongly advised by the Alzheimer’s Association and UCI to keep the diagnosis a secret, I felt I had no one to talk to. I didn’t want to burden my kids, I figured they would see it for themselves soon enough, and they had their own families to take care of.

I started looking in the message boards of the Alzheimer’s Association, and for days I just looked and read the messages. Then one day, out of the blue, I saw a message that said, “I need a hug.” Oh God, I thought, I needed a hug too. So I started writing to my new friend.

As I reread most of those messages this afternoon, I realized how much we needed each other, and yes, how much we helped each other. It was a blessing the day she came into my life. I know she feels the same way. We talked through our problems, our tears, and our future, or lack of one. The caregiver is also a victim.

I was the lucky one, seven years later, they changed my husband’s diagnosis, but my friend is still struggling with her life, as her husband is still here. What will happen to her? I wonder. I care.

I published my secret journal, Behind The Mask, and realized my story is every caregivers story. So now, I’m devoting the rest of my life to this new journey. I’d love to wipe away all the caregivers tears. That’s not possible, but it is possible for everyone to Adopt A Caregiver.Every community has caregivers, you can find them with no problem. Ask at church, in your community, find a caregivers group and tell them you want to adopt a caregiver. Tell them about my plan, my book, my journey. Together, one by one, we can make this happen.

Word of mouth is so potent, one person tells one person, and the seed is planted and spreads. Thank you all for your support and help. It is truly amazing what one person can do; with a little bit of help.

I cried today, reading those old emails..I’m still crying for you Bajha. I love you.

Keep love and kisses in you life. Helene

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Henderson Senior Center

September 10, 2008 By 1 Comment

We had a wonderful time today at the Henderson Senior Center during their board meeting. We were their guests, and we heard about some of the activities they are doing to help our community in mid and low income families. Also as guests were the Visiting Angels, whose purpose is to send caregivers to homes that need them. They also have a Response Link for safety, independence, and peace of mind. Two companies doing their share of giving back. It was a great afternoon.

Thank you for inviting us.

It seems there is a link or a bond between people who are trying their very best to help caregivers. The patients are being cared for, they have their medications, but the caregiver has the responsibility, and the emotional outlay, coping with the details that go on and on for their spouses, or parents, or grandparents. It’s a hard life, being a caregiver.

Lets not give up on them. Plant a seed, word of mouth  is potent. Lets watch that seed spread. The caregivers need some relief. Even an email can help.

Adopt A Caregiver, it’s not hard.

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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A Small World

September 9, 2008 By Leave a Comment

As I’ve said, word of mouth is potent, and that is evident as I’m finding out what a small world this is.

One of my books, Behind The Mask, went to someone I know, but she did not know it was me who wrote it. Another lived near me in another state, and we connected. Just think if every one told some one else about Adopt A Caregiver, in no time we would make this a closer and better world. We could wipe away some caregivers tears, not all of them, but some. That would make us all feel good, knowing we helped the caregiver.

Adopt a Caregiver is the subject of my talk tomorrow with the Henderson Senior Center. I’ll let you know about it tomorrow. I expect it will be great, with everyone listening and wanting to help. So far this group has been wonderful and willing to do anything they can to get my adopt a caregiver out there for the world to see and hear.

I’m waiting to hear from the Alzheimer’s Association. I know we can help each other, and they know the caregiver is important as is the patient.

Now I’m having some trouble with my computer, maybe someone will come to my rescue.

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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Home From California

September 8, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Loved seeing the kids and grandkids. Loved seeing my married granddaughter (yes,the one who designed the book cover) have us over for dinner. Gracious, loving, caring, that is what family is all about. My entire family is excited over the coming events for my Adopt A Caregive program.

It’s another journey in my life, this time a lifelong journey. Behind The Mask was an uphill battle of coming back into the light and love and kisses around me. This journey is more exciting. It’s not a secret! In fact, I want everyone to know about Adopt A Caregiver. Word of mouth is moving along nicely.

Several people have asked me to send them my book, Behind The Mask, like the Alzheimer’s Association, and The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute here in Las Vegas. The Henderson Senior Center has arranged to help me in many ways. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

I know we can’t wipe away all the caregivers tears, but we can make them less depressed, knowing they have a friend they can talk to, and vent to without censure. It makes such a difference in their lives.

I’m speaking at the Henderson Senior Center tomorrow at 4.pm. and will tell you how that went.

I took the DVD that the Lifelong Learning Center here at Anthem made, and showed them to all my family. They loved it, they love what I am attempting to do, and they are behind me 100%. I love them for their attitude on Behind The Mask, and Adopt A Caregiver.

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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A Few Days Off

September 5, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Visiting our kids and granchildren for a couple of days. Will post something on Sunday night.

The Henderson Senior Center has adopted my cause. I am going to be speaking to them on Tuesday afternoon, and am looking forward to telling them about my new journey, Adopt A Caregiver.

Loved Sarah Palin’s speech, it is time for change.

Granddaughter Allison is busy working on new brochures for me, hopefully in a couple of weeks i will have them. I want to give them out at my speaking engagements, but also to doctors, churches, synagogues, hospices, hospitals, and anyone who will take them. Thank you Allison for all your hard work and beautiful finished products, the book cover, business cards, bookmarks, and now brochures.

Everyone take care, and think about my plan to adopt a caregiver. It would mean so much to someone in pain who is lonely and possibly can’t or doesn’t want to go out.

Keep love and kisses in your life. Helene

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