July 13th, 2014 11:00 PM
While my wife passed away 13 months ago, I am extremly passionate about Care Givers. I maintain it is also a 'disease' as it is so hard on the CG causing huge stress. Our Red Deer support group does not meet in July or August. Care Givers need time away from their issues so I hosted a Strawberry Social in my backyard. It wasn't anything elaborate (wait until next year!) but it was a huge hit. Everyone had to wear a straw hat or bonnet and I forgot to give out the prize to the best one. We did have strawberry shortcake, lemonade, iced tea, bottled water, chips and a bit more.
One of our members lost his wife last month and he is going away in his trailer for a couple of months to 'the mountains'. I told everyone to buy or acquire a gift of no more than $2 and wrap it in newspaper. the newspaper could be used by him to start a fire or read. The gift could be a coloring book to improve his artistic skills, a candle for his table, a box of KD for a meal on the donor, a search a word book or anything creative. One guest brought him a can or two without a label for a suprize meal. It loked like soup or a chili. He was unaware it was for him until the gift giving started. He is not someone to be the centre of attention but it went over well.
We had name tags as there were two guests that came out that have never been to our support group. They were made to feel right at home with the name tags and quite frequent one on ones. I know it was very beneficial to them.
You may need your local ASANT office to do the e-mail and phone outs due to the privacy issue.
Why not host one for your fellow care givers this summer?
Dean in Red Deer, AB