Extending a Hand to Caregivers


If your caregiving friends can’t articulate what they need, try these lovely offerings.


n Send a cheerful card. n Gift a plant. n Weed their garden. n Cook a meal. n Schedule a walk together.


n Sit with a loved one for several hours so they can run errands.


n Volunteer to get their car washed.


n Take them to a movie or out to dinner.


n Buy a gift certificate to use online. n Treat them to a massage.


and helps keep the body’s pH balanced. For healthy snacks, Werner-Gray recommends easy and nutrition-rich choices like fresh fruits, green smooth- ies, organic nut butters and a trail mix of raw nuts, seeds and dried fruits. Save time with the smoothies by making a large batch and freezing portions to enjoy later. A basic recipe might in- clude two handfuls of greens, such as spinach and kale, a banana and other


fruits, almond milk or purified water and maybe adding flaxseed, cinnamon or goji berries. When appropriate, share the same health-boosting foods with the loved one. Victoria Moran, of New York City, is the director of the Main Street Vegan Academy and author of a dozen books on health and well-being including Main Street Vegan and Living a Charmed Life. She offers such conscious eating tips as eating full meals of “real” food instead of snacks; selecting beautiful foods; and rit- ualizing indulgences, such as a special spot for relaxing with high-quality dark chocolate and tea using good china while listening to classical music.


Stand for Exercise Even though caregivers may feel they don’t have time to spare, Dr. Jordan D. Metzl, author of The Exercise Cure, says it’s vital to incorporate physical activity. He recommends starting by walking 30 minutes a day for one month. If necessary, it can be done in 10-minute increments.


According to a study by Mayo


Clinic Physician James Levine, Ph.D., in Scottsdale, Arizona, “Sitting is the new smoking.” Researchers have linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns that include obesity, metabolic syndrome and increased risks of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. The solution is to move more and sit less—walk while on the phone and


Caregivers: Cherish the


Moments by Jennifer Oleson


C


Supporting Holistic Healing One Graduate at a Time


With an Integrative Health & Healing Associate in Science Degree and an Integrative Health & Healing Certificate


And fast-track programs in Essential Oils Terapies, Herbal Terapy and Holistic Healing Coaching


aregiving is an honor and a privi- lege. Most of us would not hesitate to commit to supporting our loved ones in need. However, the extent of this commitment is often revealed to us gradually, over the term of our loved one’s illness or decline of health and memory. Frequent comments from family members seeking caregiving support are, “I didn’t realize how much work it would be” and “I didn’t expect it to go on this long.” Through the process of caring for the immediate and function- al needs of our family member, we can lose sight of why we committed to their care to begin with. It’s important to stop and re- member that we do it out of love and respect for an individual who has been significant in our lives. We must make an effort each day to remember this and share a moment with that person and truly be present. We can pause from the tasks of the day, look the per- son in the eyes and share a moment together. A smile, a joke or simply saying “I love you” can mean a lot to someone who is struggling. Regardless of what illness has taken, it cannot rob us of the love that binds us together.


763-433-1100 • AnokaRamsey.edu A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. An Affirmative Action/Equal opportunity educator and employer. 18 NA Twin Cities Edition natwincities.com


Jennifer Oleson is the co-owner of Home Helpers of the Twin Cities. For more information, call 612-518-5741, email 56831@HomeHelpers.cc or visit HomeCareSt.PaulMN.com. See ad, page 20.


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