Hope for the Caregiver

Although we knew she was a high-risk individual (She's had 80 surgeries and both legs amputated), we felt we lived in a location remote enough for her safety. A trip to a medical provider in a larger city, however, seemed to have exposed her, and she tested positive for the virus.  As her caregiver for 34 years, we've faced a lot of challenges. This is just another one. They tested me ...and it ca...

The loss of her father, caring for her mother, cancer ...Sheri Easter has walked challenging roads. But she keeps singing. Sheri called the show to share thoughts about her journey, her faith, and her contagious love of life! "When we perform, we want people to leave a little different than when they came in," Sheri explains. "We want them to have a great time smiling, laughing, crying and healing...

After reading Joan Borton's hilarious post, I had to call her and invite her to call the show and share her story, wisdom, faith, and great sense of humor.  "How to know it's time to re-examine the schedule: when you look forward to going to the dentist for crown preparation because it's an hour plus in one place with no demands other than "open, close, or bite and tap." Sounds almost relaxing!" L...

When struggling during "...seasons of distress and grief," I often go to the piano and find great comfort in hymns of the faith. One of those hymns is "Sweet Hour of Prayer."     S weet hour of prayer Sweet hour of prayer That calls me from a world of care And bids me at my Father's throne Make all my wants and wishes known In seasons of distress and grief My soul has often found relief And oft es...

A trip to the podiatrist turned into a teachable moment for me regarding stress as a caregiver. He said something so simple and obvious, but as a friend of mine once stated, "...the obvious becomes obvious--right before it becomes obvious." Hope for the Caregiver with Peter Rosenberger is the family caregiver outreach of STANDING WITH HOPE .  Feel free to share this free podcast ...and help suppor...

Award winning author, Mary Elizabeth Jackson , called the show to share her personal journey, things she's learned, and the latest in her "Poohlicious" books.  During the conversation, we --along with my sidekick, John Butler (AKA the Count of Mighty Disco ) --also took some calls together.  visit:  www.maryejackson.com About Peter and HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER   A 30+ year caregiver for his wife,  G...

"It's always about the money ..."  is a statement caregivers are well served to remember— particularly when caring for someone else's family member. This caller discovered that she has more than one problem following a stint of taking care of a man she considered a "grandfather" - but wasn't.  Brought to you by:  Standing With Hope  

If it's not the Coronavirus, some other flu issue lurks around the corner.  Guess who's the most vulnerable? Chances are it's your loved one ...and YOU! In addition to the common sense recommendation of the CDC (washing hands, covering mouth, etc.), here are some tips to protect your loved one and yourself while caregiving:  Coronavirus targets elderly, overweight, diabetic, and other otherwise at...

From our radio show for family caregivers, HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER 02/29/2020.  Discussing Repentance and the Family Caregiver, this show delves into teachable moments in our journey through caregiving.  Brought to you by Standing With Hope "For the wounded ...and those who care for them."

Rev .  Brian Darnell , Director of Chaplaincy and Volunteer Services at Core Civic , called the show to share his passion for faith based programs for inmates. Our radio program  is the family caregiver outreach of Standing With Hope ...a ministry  G racie envisioned following the amputation of her legs. One of Core Civic's programs is our prosthetic limb outreach. Inmates in TN prison run by Core...

At a local bookstore a while back, Gracie and I, along with our friend Hank, performed Christmas Carols for friends. John and Sally Mae dropped in, and I turned the keyboard over to him. Gracie sat on a stool, and she and Hank had such a great time singing to John's extraordinary playing. You're getting this bonus material as a follower of our podcast! Later that evening, we all decided that Graci...

One of my favorite and most inspiring friends is Pastor Robert Morgan. A caregiver for three decades for his wife, Katrina, through her journey of MS, Robert brings vast experience and depth to his books and ministry.  Throughout his journey as a caregiver, Robert never stopped writing or functioning in the call of ministry on his life. A prolific author, Robert's new book: 100 Bible Verses That M...

While " The Only Thing We Have To Fear is Fear Itself " inspired a nation facing war, the battle between caregivers and fearful issues remains constant and different. REAL and frightening things face us.  How do we deal with them? What's the path to safety?  What does Scripture say about fear?  Fear is one the 7 Caregiver Landmines I discuss in my book. We caregivers tend to "live in the wreckage...

With all due respect to Commodore Perry ...I paraphrased, changed, and re-appropriated his famous quote.  As caregivers, our enemy is not our loved one ...or their condition. Rather, it is ourselves. Particularly the pesky, yet delicious sin that we savor: Resentment.  Sponsored by: 

Playing bass, guitar, and singing took him into the world of caregivers.  Now, Anthony Cirillo has a cause and a huge impact on the healthcare systems in our country.    Anthony Cirillo is Global Practice Partner of  GIS Healthcare , a provider of caregiver and related solutions to corporations and health providers. He is also the creator of the  Caregiver Smile Summit . A health and aging expert,...

Sitting at the piano, I played a simple seven note melody. Stewing around with it for a while, I knew I wanted to write a song to describe the heart of a caregiver.  Playing with it bit more, I kept coming back to that simple melody.  After a while, I reached out to a friend and veteran songwriter, Buddy Mondlock, and we wrote this song together.  There's a lyric in this that sums it for so many o...

One of the 7 Caregiver Landmines is Ignoring Personal Health Needs, and more than 70% of caregivers fail to see their own physicians.  While most caregivers offer excuses such as money or time, this caller stated she didn't need to because, "God is her doctor." Take a listen to how the conversation went ...and how the caller swerved into yet another landmine. Here are the 7 Landmines ...guess whic...

Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Wills, Traffic Tickets, Business Disputes, Filing for Disability ...the list is endless for things that require the skills of an attorney.  As a caregiver, can you afford to pay for those services?  Can you afford to deal with them alone? On this clip from the show, I discuss an affordable solution that I've been using for nearly eight years. Just recently, this so...

One of my all time favorite songwriters is Gary Chapman.  Whenever I hear his songs, I have to stop and listen ...and they continue to stir my heart.  Especially TREASURE .  Gary is also a caregiver...on several levels.  As Gary reflects in this interview, the journey he had with his father through Parkinson's and other issues helped prepare him for his little girl's recent brain surgery to remove...

Back in the 1970's, a friend of mine in the music business worked with legendary artist, James Brown. Years later, my friend encountered the soul singer again and remarked, "You haven't changed in 25 years! With a huge smile, James Brown responded, "If You've Got Your Hair and Your Teeth ...You're Alright!" While our hair supply (or lack thereof) may be genetic, we can, however, address the needs...

When producing my CD, Songs for the Caregiver,    I knew this song, What Can Wash Away My Sin ,  needed to be included. Gracie recorded this in our kitchen. Our longtime friend from college (and Grammy winning music engineer) Chris Latham came to the house and set up microphones at our piano and ran a line into the kitchen where Gracie sat in her wheelchair.  We were all a bit nervous for her, bec...

So many times, we caregivers cry out to God for us to be "delivered FROM" these challenges.  Doing this for 34 years, however, I'm learning that God meets us in it ...and delivers us THROUGH It.  In the process, we discover our battle is not with our loved one's affliction, but instead ...the battle is with ourselves.  From HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER on American Family Radio JAN 18 2020  (See the full...

For nearly seven years, John has joined me as delightful addition to the show.  We had an exceptionally good time on today's show.  In addition, there's a hilarious story of all I received when I tried to commit myself. (Yes ...it's true!).  We through in a special song from Gracie ...and a bunch of other thoughts to help you start your caregiving year! Presented by:  

Misdirected fight We seem to take on the wrong enemy. We'll try to fight Alzheimer's. We'll try to fight addiction. We'll try to fight amputation. We'll try to fight injury or illnesses we're not prepared, equipped or in any way capable of doing. My wife is a double amputee. I cannot fight amputation. But, I can fight cholesterol. I can fight being a jerk. These are things I can fight. How about y...

As 2020 starts, this hymn seemed appropriate to share.  I recorded it on my CD, Songs for the Caregiver , but this is a special LIVE duet of my arrangement that I performed at church while the congregation was served communion.  I accompanied my friend, Daniel Fisher, on the violin.  His playing is extraordinary. This hymn remains special to uncounted millions. The lyrics speak directly to our hea...