Hope for the Caregiver

There's still time ...for you as a caregiver ...to give yourself gifts.  From My Commentary in the Chicago Tribune: For family caregivers, the normal stresses and challenges experienced by most during the holiday season can be amplified exponentially. Rather than enjoying the season, many caring for chronically impaired loved ones settle for enduring the holidays. Aside from family get-togethers (...

Throughout our lengthy journey of surgeries, chronic pain, amputations, and lots of tears, music has always been the glue for Gracie and me. We particularly love Christmas music.  This is a recording of one of our favorite Christmas hymns, Silent Night. Download this at:   See more at www.standingwithhope.com    

A while back, I invited my friend, Daniel Fisher (an exceptional violinist), to perform a duet with me at church.  During the serving of communion, we played a medley of The Old Rugged Cross and Near the Cross. Each time I listen to this, I'm stunned by his playing.  While playing the piano …I just try to stay out his way.  At the end you can faintly hear the communion trays being returned to the...

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. - Psalm 125:5-6 Are you sowing in tears? What does that even mean to us a caregivers. Take a listen to this episode as we unpack this Scripture and talk about it in the context of serving as a family caregiver.  Autism, Alzhe...

Almost a decade ago, Grammy winner Zac Brown envisioned creating a life changing camping experience similar to his own ...but one that was inclusive for children (and families) struggling with challenges. His heart also went out to the wounded warrior community and his answer was to create Camp Southern Ground.   "As a former camp counselor and camper, I know how a positive camp experience can tra...

Think back through difficult times in your life ...when hot tears filled your eyes. Maybe when your body was wracked with pain or your heart was broken.  Did you feel like singing during those times? And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their...

Caller states he is the patient, caregiver, and addict ...all wrapped into one, and is miserable. But he doesn't want any of the things we point him to on this show.  Then, he pivots and wants to tell a joke ...and gets mad at me for not laughing.  Listen to see if you like the joke. Clearly, according to this caller, I just don't have a sense of humor.   

"I didn't even know what Cerebral Palsy was until we received the diagnosis for our daughter." - Dr. Richard Rosenberger For this special edition of HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER, I invited my brother to call in and share his vast journey as a caregiving father for 30+ years ...and as an educator.  Richard is the Superintendent for Anderson County School District #2 in Upstate South Carolina.  In this in...

My favorite reminder of gratitude is this story of a remarkable woman who learned to thank God in all things ...including FLEAS while in a concentration camp during WW2.  Sponsored by:  Standing With Hope

Cleland Boyd McAffee, a Presbyterian minister, provided the church with one of the most treasured and enduring hymns. Like many great hymns, however, this one also came from great sorrow.  Two of his young niece died of diptheria, but in the family's grief, McAffee penned this great hymn that continue to bring comfort and strength to millions.  One could reasonably state that McAffee's greatest se...

You guys have a laid out a path for everybody else to follow. You have a laid out an example.  And now God is using that to instruct His kids all over the country—all over the world—of, "'When you're up against a struggle,' Don't turn in fear! —Watch what we do when we follow Christ."  - Russ Taff.   The New CD From  Standing With Hope Founder , Gracie Rosenberger   For virtually her entire life,...

During one of our many visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to meet with wounded warriors, we met a bitter young soldier struggling with wounds he received from friendly fire.  In a terrible mistake, he suffered injuries from his own country's military. As my wife, Gracie, walked over to greet him, he rudely snapped at her. Lying on his back while working out on a physical therapy table, he c...

A lot of candidates running for President advocate "Medicare for All" as part of their platform. While Medicare itself is a decent program, I spend a little time discussing the realities of dealing with Medicare ...from a customer service standpoint.  Gracie and I both had to call Medicare for a significant issue. Getting bounced around from department to department, we logged over four hours on t...

Yes ...I know it feels like the snowplow driver is listening to Lawrence Welk while we listen to Led Zepplin, but in winter weather, the safest place is often the place where you feel it's going maddeningly slow.  That also applies to our journey as caregivers.  We find that we must move at a pace we can't control...and, just like trying to pass a snowplow, we run the risk of getting hurt if we tr...

One of the hardest challenges for caregivers (and Landmine #4 from 7 Caregiver Landmines and How You Avoid Them), we address the loss of identity.  Many caregivers struggle to speak in first person singular when asked about their feelings, heart, and condition.  One of the main reasons I do the show, is to help my fellow caregivers learn to rediscover (or possibly find) their own voices.  We also...

Caller shared her discouraged about her daughter who suffered a stroke following an attack, and is now disabled ...but has also turned to alcohol.  It's difficult to watch loved one suffer. Watching them do so while addicted to alcohol and/or alcohol crushes the stoutest of caregiver hearts. This mother and I chatted for a bit on what her role is and isn't ...and what she can do and can't. Sometim...

Moses, yes ...THAT Moses ...had a smart father-in-law (Jethro) who pulled the prophet aside and gave him sound wisdom that can apply to family caregivers. In my book, 7 Caregiver Landmines and How You Can Avoid Them , Landmine #7 is "...thinking that it's all up to you! " Read what Jethro told Moses.  "Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you w...

Bruce Sickler, team manager for American Airlines "It's Cool to Fly" Program called our show to discuss this groundbreaking program with us. For further information, contact  bruce.sickler@AA.com  directly.  "You're caring for people on life's journey." - Bruce Sickler    From American Airlines: To many flyers, the airport experience is a routine part of life. Check-in, security, gate areas and je...

This is not a paid endorsement ...just a testimonial from a grateful caregiver. During our recent move from Nashville to Southwest Montana, the moving company we hired came up short and things did not go as well as hoped.  I called All My Sons Moving and Storage in Nashville to help ...and they OVER-delivered!  I should have called them first ...but that mistake is on me. You might be in a positio...

In a segment we like to call "Meet the Neighbors," Chaplain Ken Mottram of Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital , called the show to share insights about hospital chaplains.  Ken shares on the show that so many equate hospital chaplains with death, but they offer so much more. In our lengthy years of hospital visits, Gracie and I have benefited greatly from many hospital chaplains. To that caregiver...

HFTC October 12 2019 Welcome to HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER on American Family Radio. This is Peter Rosenberger. We are LIVE and are thrilled to have you with us. This is the nation's number one show for the family caregiver. For those who are putting themselves between a vulnerable loved one and even worse disaster. Maybe it's somebody who's aging, maybe it's a special needs child, maybe somebody who...

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and my long time friends Greg and Aaron Tornquist called the show on Sirius XM Family Talk 131 to discuss their journey. Aaron (41) has down syndrome, is a serious bowler, works, and is an Elvis Tribute Artist.   His father, Greg, has a lengthy music/performance history and his new project, Mississippi The Musical. (it just won "Best of the Fest"...

Caller to the show shared her journey with her husband who was born with a congenital heart condition.  Often referred to as a "backwards heart" Chrissy discusses her journey of acceptance to what is hers ...and not hers ...to carry.  I shared with Chrissy, about a friend of ours with the same condition ...and that I've come to see that her husband's condition is a metaphor for what we all deal wi...

Broadcasting on Sirius XM's Family Talk Channel, this is HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER with Peter Rosenberger.  This episode drills down on the need of caregivers to seek medical attention for themselves. 72% of family caregivers fail to see their own doctors. How is THAT helpful? Caregivers not seeking medical attention for themselves is one of the 7 Caregiver Landmines from my book.  In addition, we ha...

"It's a very short step from 'I don't want to live like that' to 'No one should live like that.' We need more protection for people. " - Nancy Valko (www.nancyvalko.com) Palliative and Hospice care continue to confuse so many caregivers. While some programs offer amazing and beneficial services to families, others seem to be detrimental. Involving the Govt. seems to give a stamp of approval of som...