| Caregivers have a chance to tell their stories to a TV audience… |
When I opened my e-mail this morning, I found this message:
I work for The WGBH Lab (a small part of that big PBS station in Boston) and I’m trying to get the word out about something that might be relevant to you or your readers.
Essentially, the Lab is inviting anyone who has ever cared for aging relatives (or knows someone who has) — in short, members of the sandwich generation — to submit a short video story about caring for elderly family and how it has changed their lives and relationships. We want to hear about how this issue has affected real people and hopefully create a dialog on a topic that is often overlooked. The completed pieces will be posted on the WGBH Lab website and may be broadcast nationally with “Caring for Your Parents,” a documentary that’s airing on PBS in April. If you’re interested, more information is available at our site: http://lab.wgbh.org/open-call/watch-over-me
Thanks for your time!
Sincerely,
Brian Retchless
Production Coordinator
WGBH Lab
I don’t think in terms of video myself (too old or something–I don’t know) but I’m betting that a lot of readers do. If you are one of those readers, I urge you to take this opportunity to tell your story. If enough people join in, WGBH will be able to produce a documentary that tells the truth about family caregiving. Thanks, Brian, for making this possible.
Lights!…Camera!…Action!…
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There are 5 Responses to “An Invitation to Readers of CaregivingBlog”
#2 Jennifer - 08 February, 9:26 PM
Seems to me there must be a better way to document this. My mother would never allow me to make a video of me caring for her she has too much pride.
#3 Pete - 09 February, 3:25 PM
Jennifer, I think I’m with you on this one. I passed along the WGBH invitation because so many people these days get most of their information from video.
Thanks for your comment!
#4 Steve - 07 March, 2:47 PM
Brian,
We would be happy to work on this project with you. Please contact me at sdworkin@caregiverhelper.com. Take a look at www.caregiverhelper.com
Steve
#5 Celia - 08 June, 8:15 AM
What a wonderful site.
I am a caregiver for my folks. I am also helping my brother who just lost his wife suddenly on Valentine’s day. He is raising 4 children. My mother once said something too me that has always been in my heart. She always has been a caregiver herself taking care of others. We were coming home from church one Sunday and she was venting. At the time her sister who had fallen and broken her hip was living with my mom. It was very hard, needless to say, but this is just one of many times my mom took in family members. She said sometimes I get overwhelmed with this responsibility, but I know that this is what Jesus has chosen for me to be. His servant to others. That has stayed with me ever since I was a teen. I always said I wanted to be like my mom when I grew up, and I still feel that way to this day. I Thank the Good Lord for her and my Father everyday.
#1 Deborah Halpern - 31 January, 9:42 PM
10 tips for F A M I L Y C A R E G I V E R S
From the National Family Caregivers Assoc.
www.thefamilycaregiver.org
1 Caregiving is a job and respite is
your earned right. Reward yourself
with respite breaks often.
2 Watch out for signs of depression,
and don’t delay in getting professional
help when you need it.
3 When people offer to help, accept
the offer and suggest specific things
that they can do.
4 Educate yourself about your loved
one’s condition and how to communicate
effectively with doctors.
5 There’s a difference between caring
and doing. Be open to technologies
and ideas that promote your loved
one’s independence.
6 Trust your instincts. Most of the
time they’ll lead you in the right
direction.
7 Caregivers often do a lot of lifting,
pushing, and pulling. Be good to your
back.
8 Grieve for your losses, and then
allow yourself to dream new dreams.
9 Seek support from other caregivers.
There is great strength in knowing you
are not alone.
10 Stand up for your rights as a caregiver
and a citizen.