Comments on: Family Caregivers Communication Class — Part 2: Speaking Easily About Difficult Topics

By: Linda Abbit

Linda Abbit — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:56:31 +0000

Hi Wamiesofife,

Welcome to TLeC! “I suggest we start giving it a try.” Great attitude for everyone to adopt!

By: Wamiesofife

Wamiesofife — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:20:20 +0000

Nothing seems to be easier than seeing someone whom you can help but not helping.
I suggest we start giving it a try. Give love to the ones that need it.
God will appreciate it.

By: Family Caregivers Communication Class - Part 4 | Basic American Comfort

Family Caregivers Communication Class - Part 4 | Basic American Comfort — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:15:16 +0000

[...] informative series on family caregiver communication. She recently wrote a second part about “Speaking Easily About Difficult Topics” and a third part focusing on “Dealing with Pessimistic Aging Parents”. This week she [...]

By: Davina

Davina — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:22:35 +0000

Linda. Thank you so much for your kind words. I sense we are kindred spirits, because through your writing I also see a beautiful, gentle soul.

By: Linda Abbit

Linda Abbit — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:23:19 +0000

Dear Davina,

You are such a beautiful, gentle soul. Your grandmother would be so proud of you and the wonderful writings I read on your blog (and here). Before you know it, your own parents will be Golden Oldies, so be sure you ask them about their silent contemplations when you can. *smiles*

Dear Barbara,

It is hard to watch loved ones age, and I hope my tips will help as many people as possible make these times at least a little easier for everyone involved. Thanks.

Dear Lance,

I’ll let you in on a little “secret” — these communication strategies also work well in work settings, with teenagers, and with many people we may know.

So happy you ALL stopped by and left comments!

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:46:39 +0000

You have a very kind heart Linda. I feel that in your writing. And you care very much for these older people in your life. They are lucky to have you.

And…these are great points. And something we can all learn from – whether we are dealing with these issues today, or down the road.

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:31:47 +0000

Hi Linda,

What great advice. It’s tough when our loved ones age and we see them deteriorating. We do need to show compassion, love and understanding. Your tips do just that. Great job!

By: Davina

Davina — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:15:45 +0000

Hi Linda. I just finished reading this post and part 1. You have put a lot of thought into this and it is well put together.

I don’t have any “close” golden oldies in my life. I was close to my grandmother and when I look back I realize that I took that closeness for granted.

I loved her very much. The 17-year anniversary of her death just passed on Sept 18 and it seems like yesterday. I don’t mourn her passing anymore. I appreciate having known her and feel I grow to love her more each day.

One memory I have is from when I used to stay with her when I came home to visit. I would wake early in the morning and she was already up sitting in her favourite chair in the living room. She was silent. Deep in thought. What do I regret?

Not asking her what she was thinking about. She had lived 60 years longer than I and now I realize how much more we could have shared.

By: Linda Abbit

Linda Abbit — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:05:27 +0000

Excellent, excellent point, SpaceAgeSage!

I think I need to edit the above post to include that idea. I certainly don’t want to overwhelm anybody before they even start on their caregiving journey!

Thank you so much for pointing this out!

By: SpaceAgeSage

SpaceAgeSage — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:24:01 +0000

Great overview! I will admit, though, that if I had some younger folks read this, they might see it as overwhelming. It is tough to see a loved one decline, empathize with the situation, adapt your whole mindset to cope, and then try to deal well with the changes. I guess I’m letting folks know that you will never regret practicing these communications skills, but realize it takes time to mature into them.