Friday, May 31, 2013

Coping with Pet Loss, May 26 - June 1, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Pet remembrance service aims to provide support, http://j.mp/186f1BF « Traverse City Record-Eagle

Thoughtful essay! Nothing Gold Can Stay: Death as a Part of Life, http://j.mp/11a1kOQ « Peternity

Questions For Barbara King, Author Of How Animals Grievehttp://j.mp/11yWAHl «  NPR

Pet Loss and Disenfranchised Grief, http://j.mp/11lAqSX « A Good Goodbye Radio Podcast (May 29, 2013)
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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Caregiving After A Stroke: Suggested Resources


[Reviewed and updated January 29, 2024]

Every one of us needs to show how much we care for each other, and in the process, care for ourselves. ~ Princess Diana

A reader writes: In all the years I’ve known her, my mom (age 79) has never been sick. Since my dad died six months ago, she’s been in and out of hospitals four times. She suffered a stroke and has had multiple seizures, all coming out of nowhere! If that wasn't enough, we now have to have 24 hour, 7 day care to make sure she doesn't stroke/seize again. We can't afford around the clock care so we are doing it ourselves. My sisters and I are trying our best to fulfill this sometime overwhelming duty. I am pulling the graveyard shift and it is killing me....

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Caregiving and Hospice, May 19 - May 25, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

How-to Use UNFRAZZLE to assist in caregiving: Articles and Videos, http://j.mp/11lWAdJ « Unfrazzle

Need Help Coping with Challenges of Caregiving? Tips from Fellow Caregivers, ow.ly/lotJp « Unfrazzle

Palliative care carries stigma that we've "given up" on the patient, http://j.mp/10Ya51m « ABC Gippsland

Talking with Families About Hospice Care, http://j.mp/14J25SM « AgingCare.com

Prepare for a good end of life: outstanding 6-minute video, http://j.mp/16bBjqm « TED Talks

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 19 - May 25, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Is Criticism of DSM-5 'Anti-psychiatry'? huff.to/18bVAf4 « Huffington Post

“Now You’re a Soldier” http://t.co/CN6RyopvGI « FriendGrief

Helpful! When Kids Can't Remember Someone Who Died, http://j.mp/Z5fALk « What's Your Grief?

Bereaved teens face hidden challenges,  http://j.mp/14WtKis « Hospice of the Valley

The impact of grief on you and the family, http://j.mp/133QOuv « Hospice of the Bluegrass

Coping with Pet Loss, May 19 - May 25, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Nice scrap book suggestion: How Do You Cope with Pet Loss? wp.me/p35KVD-hU « MoggiePurrs

A different form of pet loss: Guide Dog Training: What I Gained By Raising A Dog I Couldn't Keep, http://j.mp/124A4rl « Huffington Post

A beautiful love story! Lessons from a Terrier,  http://j.mp/12So0pX « Grief Digest Magazine

5 Ways to Help Your Kids Cope with the Death of a Family Pet, http://j.mp/13Orpar « Catster

A Bill of Rights for Grieving Animal Lovers, http://j.mp/WVDJn6 « Grief Healing Blog

The love of a dog: Birth and Death, http://j.mp/19Sc6gC « Huffington Post
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Monday, May 20, 2013

Transition after Loss: Tips for Navigating the Neutral Zone

Source
[Reviewed and Updated February 11, 2024]

One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. ~ Andre Gide 

A reader writes: How do you bring back the "drive"? The desire to improve one's self? The desire to learn something new, or to go with your goal? Since my husband died nearly a year ago, I've lost this drive and it seems hard to get it back. I still want to achieve some goals, yet I can’t seem to find the focus, the desire to go for them unlike before. My mind is willing to try again, but my body is tired. One minute I feel like I'm going to accomplish something, the next I feel too tired.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Caregiving and Hospice, May 12 - May 18, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

How Would I Know? What Can I Do? How to Help someone with Dementia who is in Pain or Distress, http://j.mp/14hdysw « Info Long-Term Care

Being a caregiver has made me a better doctor, http://j.mp/17LvJdF « KevinMD.com

Must read! Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Where Are We Now? http://j.mp/10bNAX2 « AJN

Should palliative care be distinguished from end of life care? http://j.mp/10EMbDV « eHospice

Caregiving: Why Change is Difficult, http://j.mp/14BusBu « Stan Goldberg, PhD

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 12 - May 18, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Truth about Grief, http://j.mp/11KiZmv « Grief Digest Magazine

Alan Wolfelt: Grief and the Capacity to Love Part II, http://j.mp/12AyIkE « Grief Digest Magazine

Sesame Street and Grief: talking about grief before it was cool, http://j.mp/12Ag9Nu « What's Your Grief

"Do You Have Any Siblings?" How to answer that question after the death of a sibling, http://j.mp/110L01q « Hello Grief

Remember What You Love: Deep Friendship and Thriving Plants, http://j.mp/10vxmYp « Elaine Mansfield

Coping with Pet Loss, May 12 - May 18, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Farewell my best friend, http://j.mp/YZFqSS « Rants and raves

Pet Loss Issues on Episode 6 of A Good Goodbye TV,  « The Family Plot Blog: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die

What Normal Grief Looks and Feels Like,  « Veterinary Wisdom Professionals

Hospice Care for Dogs,  « The Dog Daily
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Monday, May 13, 2013

Widow Considers Adopting A Second Dog

Source
[Reviewed and updated July 25, 2021]

I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source. ~ Doris Day

A reader writes: I love dogs, and since my husband died, only my beautiful little Cockapoo saves me from living alone. I couldn't survive without her. I know how many dogs in shelters need homes, and one great no‑kill shelter near me may have to shut down for lack of funds. So I've been thinking a lot about adopting a second dog. But I don't know if it's a good time to bring a new pet into my life. I still hurt so much from losing my husband that the thought of opening up my heart again, even to a dog, is scary. And I've been a human companion to many dogs, so I know what to expect: Bringing a new one home would probably mean some bad behavior, an "accident" or two, maybe some chewing and (I hope not) fighting. If these were normal times, no problem. But with the limited control of emotions I have now, I worry that both the dog and I might be too stressed.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Caregiving and Hospice, May 5 - May 11, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Asking family members for help in caregiving, http://shar.es/lQjBh « Hernando Today

Mothering a dying child - wise and beautiful essay, http://j.mp/198ADxO « Slate

Video: How to Talk to Parents About Their End-of-Life Wishes, http://j.mp/10djqCn « U.S. News Money

National Nurses Week: The high calling of the hospice nurse, http://j.mp/12gK4tZ « Tryon Daily Bulletin

How to Use a Life Insurance Policy to Pay for Long Term Care, http://buff.ly/13yukTF « AgingCare.com

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 5 - May 11, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Comforting! When Mother’s Day Isn’t Happy, http://j.mp/17RTmPk « Caregiver Stress

Wedding Day Advice: after the death of a parent, http://j.mp/134seYL « What's Your Grief?

23 Spiritualized Comfort Cliches to Avoid When a Child Dies, http://j.mp/15TLqzw « Confessions of a Funeral Director

Excellent! Grief: What Other People Say...and Don't Say, http://j.mp/16h9Kef « Stop Thief: Don't Steal My Grief

The Facade of I'm Fine: Present Moment Awareness, http://j.mp/13yAlQ5 « What's Your Grief?

Coping with Pet Loss, May 5 - May 11, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

On Pinterest? See Grief Healing's board on Pet Loss, http://j.mp/MY3a0w

Tips on supporting someone experiencing pet loss, http://bit.ly/13mky7J « UF Small Animal Hospital

Do You Know What to Say When Clients Ask When They Should Get Another Pet? http://j.mp/12K6cug « HowToVetWisdom
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Monday, May 6, 2013

In Grief, The Challenge of Cooking for One

Today there is an Annual Culinary Olympics, with hundreds of cooks from many countries ardently competing. But we who hate to cook have had our own Olympics for years, seeing who can get out of the kitchen the fastest and stay out the longest. ~ Peg Bracken, The I Hate to Cook Book 

A reader writes: Since my husband was retired on permanent disability, he took over the shopping and cooking many years ago. Now mind you I do know how to cook, but when I cooked it was for two adults and two children.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Caregiving and Hospice, April 28 - May 4, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

'Big C' consultant Dr. Vijay Trisal on Palliative Care, http://j.mp/13cTI15 « Los Angeles Times

Outstanding! The American Nurse: As Real As It Gets, http://j.mp/ZvmJ4E « Medscape (free registration is required to view)

Helping Seniors Learn New Technology, http://j.mp/Yt5LIL « New York Times

Medivizor: personalized medical information at your fingertips, http://j.mp/112z0E6 « Caregiving Cafe Blog

Deathbed Singers, Threshold Choirs, Grow To Comfort Sick And Dying, http://j.mp/ZDcE9j « Huff Post Religion

Understanding and Managing Grief, April 28 - May 4, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

National Institute of Mental Health no longer will use DSM diagnoses in studies, http://j.mp/ZvGSYi « CBS News

Terrific post! Six-Word Stories, Statements, and Exclamations: A Journaling Exercise http://j.mp/15ePuub « What's Your Grief?

Video Broadcast of 'Breaking the Silence on Suicide,' http://j.mp/102xPT7 « KSL.com Utah

Matthew Warren's Death Prompts Reflections on Christianity and Suicide, http://j.mp/100ggS7 « Grief After Suicide Blog, via The Grief Toolbox

Guiding Principles Announced for Suicide Bereavement Support Groups in U.S., http://j.mp/18zPNMf « Grief After Suicide Blog, via The Grief Toolbox

Coping with Pet Loss, April 28 - May 4, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Pet Peace of Mind program frees hospice clients of worry about animal companions, http://j.mp/115CBB

Discussion: Can you grieve the death of a pet as much as the death of a relative or friend? http://bit.ly/18fa0cL « AARP Online Community

Anticipating the death of my pets and getting real with my emotions, http://j.mp/Yjo8h9 « L.M. Sherwin Blog

Good boy, Gus, http://j.mp/11DAY8U « Spirit Scraps

Pet Loss and Estate Planning to Keep Your Pet Safe: first of a series, http://j.mp/124p601 « DashKitten.com