Caring Caregivers in Healthcare

While  our professional roles  support progress toward improving  healhcare.

 Do you think that we are going in the right direct direction ?

Olivia

I have been a caregiver most of my adult life.  My late husband was very sick for a very long time before he passed in 2004.  I took care of him while I worked as a paralegal for many years.  I retired on disability pension and became his full-time caregiver through his time at home hospice.  I did everything for him, including bathing him, changing his diapers, feeding him and giving him his medicine.

I am now the sole caregiver for a gentleman with Parkinson's.  I do anything he needs me to do.  We both are very consious of my back problems and work together to prevent any injury to me or him.

I find caregiving very rewarding.  It can be draining at times.  That is when you try to get some respite to refuel.

I am also beginning to be a respite volunteer for a local hospice.  I am really looking forward to doing this as well.

Hello Genelle,

I was unable to reach you through your contact on Helium.

On behalf of all Nurses and caregivers, I would like to thank  you for sharing your experince in a hospital.    As well as telling us about the  good care that you received from nurses  and staff..

It means a lot to all caregivers..when their patients do well, and are appreciative of their efforts to deliver state of the art care.

Stay well and stop by our zone again soon..

Thanks again,

Olivia

Changes in the health care system are on the way.....For those of us that follow all the turmoil and challenges before us.    Has this changed anything  for you,  yours or  your working peers ?

Stay well !.

Happy writing

Olivia

Just want to touch base with all the members of  our caring caregivers group..

 Today,   I took the time to visit each of you through our members list .  I thought  about each of you .

I invite you to stop by our forums and tell us a little about yourself.   How you may be challenged in your health care roles,  your personal life,  as well as your professional educational pursuits.

Consider adding an article for our care giving  zone.  Or let us know if there is anything that you would like to see added to our zone.

Watch for more professional contests and consider a challenge...it offers us all an opportunity to grow.

Happy writing  :-)

Olivia

Dear  Helium Caring Caregivers ,

Thank you for being part of our Caring Caregivers Zone and Group for 2009.

Soon,  we will begin the new year with challenges that have yet to unfold.  I hope that you take every opportunity to continue to  "care"  with the highest commitment to those that you care for.     To rally and support  those who can not speak  for themselves,  and to be true to one of the highest callings , that of  "caregiver."

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, and a Happy Healthy New Year. :)

Olivia

Going forward into the New Year..is like starting with a clean slate.  If we grow and nurture each other,  we can both learn and teach those that are struggling along the way.

To those who are professionals in health care..we are in for new challenges, perhaps different then we have ever had before.   It remains our job to " lead others " when they are lost. To be open to new and different ways of doing things and to always instill hope for the future of health care.

Happy Healthy New Year to everyone.

Olivia

I have taken a new direction as caregiver. Not only do I care for my special needs children but I also care for my terminal husband.

I invite you all to visit my Writer's Portfolio to keep abreast of the updates and changes!

Ann Marie is Momma Bear

Just thought that all  of our Nurses on Helium  would appreciate this  positive acknowledgement of our profession.  This is something most of us have known for years.   However, it is nice to see that our collaborating physicians have shared their thoughts on another one of our important roles as Nurses.

http://health.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/04/28/only-a-nurse-can-make-you-a-better-doctor/

Nurses Day May 2010

Happy writing

Olivia

I think the publicity is wonderful. An the title is sooooo true.

Ann Marie

Check out my newest posts on money, green or anything.

Thank You Ann Marie....as a care taker you know so well .

Wishing you peace of mind and the much needed rest that you deserve, when you can.

Olivia

I am amazed, now that Russell has gone, how much care I am giving my support team. Some of them, despite all the evidence, were unprepared for his death.

Ann Marie

Check out my newest posts on money, green or anything.

Dearest Ann Marie,

Please accept my deepest condolances on Russells last journey.

He is  now free and without the pain that comsumed him.  You, my dear friend are a giver even to the  other caregivers.    However, grief takes a while to unfold and although the pain lessens and changes for some it lasts forever.  Nurture yourself too. Surround yourself with the love of your family.

The Circle of life is shinning on your new grandchild and Gods timing is perfect, as it always is.

My love to you and yours,

Olivia

Good Morning Caring Caregivers,

One of our group members needs a big hug today.

As we nurture others we must never forget our own.

Please give  a CYBER-HUG  to ---Ann Marie Dwyer.

" Momma Bear. " 

Olivia

Thank you so, Liv. The post at the anything link will bring a new light to the dawn.

It is so poignant we spend so much time caring for others we sometimes neglect those who share our journey. I have really been trying to care for those who helped me in Russell's last days. Their pain is palpable, where God took much of mine away.

Ann Marie

Check out my newest posts on money, green or anything.

Helium is in need of writers with a nursing background for a project for one of our publishing partners. You don't need to be a professional journalist, but you must be an experienced writer.

The project will entail shorter form articles (300 words on average), with content primarily derived from experience, which is why you need to have a background in this area. Pay is $20 per article.

Interested in filling an opening? Send a cover letter, resume and two clips relevant to the assignment you're applying for to experts@helium.com. Be sure to put in the subject line a reference to the particular position.

Sarah Menesale | Community Outreach Manager, Steward Program Coordinator

http://www.helium.com/users/540061

Hi Sarah,

I would encourage all our nurses to take advantage of this great opportunity.  :)

Thanks Sarah

Olivia

hey, all!  my first time posting here....wanted to know if i even qualify to be in this illustrious group!

if you read my bio, you know, but to save you time, wanted to say that my family was a foster home to special needs/abused/neglected kids for 20 years and we ended up adopting 6, five of whom are special needs.  i was trained and cared for tube fed kids, cerebral palsy, HIV+, heart conditions, brain damaged by abuse, blind, autistic, burns.  also went through numerous surgeries with kids, from open heart to bladder reimplantation. 

so, do i qualify?  if i do, do i qualify for the writers w/nursing background job?  or is it even still available?

sorry this is so long-winded!!  thanks, y'all!!  heidi

Sorry, I can't figure out where to send the information you requested.  I already have a professional badge and a journalist badge. The experts.com site appears to be for people who haven't joined Helium or who want to apply for a badge.  How do I send a cover letter and clips there?

Joyce

  Hi Sarah,

I am also confused by yourrequest.  It is of interest to me, however, the request  itself appears to be redundant and incomplete at this time.

Several nurses have acquired the credentialing as evidenced on our personal home pages.

I look forward to further information.

Thank you

Olivia

Hello everyone,

This call out was for a writing assignment for one of our publishing partners back in May and June. It has been filled.

My request was not for people to apply for a nurse badge (although you can do that at any time), I was looking for nurses already badged who were interested in writing some specific assignments.

thanks,

Sarah

I ji\ust applied ti0 the jhow to guides. After going through articles, I notice alot of the top articled either are written in thje first person or really have nothing to do with the titles. I guess in order to get thr writing stars required, I have to dumb down my articles and pay no attention to the titles.

I choose not to dumb down.  I have been writing in professional journals for 25 years and I believe the caliber of that audience expects professional articles aimed at their level.  Caring Caregivers should be the same.  You can aim at the average adult with a 6th grade reading level and probably be more successful, or you can attempt to educate people at a higher level and perhaps attract the attention of a publisher looking for that caliber of work. I prefer to take pride in my work and know I have done my best.  I am my first critic.

 Joyce,

     Thank you, sorry about the typos in the message. I agree with dumbing things down. I have an article up that is now at number 6. The funny thing is, someone bought it for one time use for $100.00. I will continue to write to my own standards. After your post, this will make things easier.

Thanks Joyce,

Ray Mickol

Hello Ray,

Welcome to the Caring Caregivers Zone.  We have long been committed to the support of care givers, both the professional and those who have found themselves in the role of a caregiver.    This forum allows for the expression of feelings related to this role,  as well as to give the opportunity to support one another while meeting those many challenges.

It is high quality writing that will eventually lead to the acquisition of your writing stars. Your pursuit of this goal is worthy .

Happy writing

Olivia

Nice to be here , Olivia. And thanks for the encouragement

I agree..anyone can write an article on anything, but I prefer to write on subjects that I would want to read myself. I think that when you can take pride in your work, and be glad, not embarrassed when someone reads your article, you feel better. It is not always about page views.  Some things are not about price tages.

In the meantime, I have been asked to write for various publishers from this site, and am earning regulalrly with assignments I have schosen to take on. Stick with it!

I have appreciated the support from other writers and editors at this site.

Hi Margie,

Thanks for stopping by Caring Caregivers. Nice to meet you.

Congrats on finding your own path in the writing world.

It is easy to see that you will be both challenged and rewarded on your writing journey.

Happy writing

Olivia

Hello All,

So happy to join this group, we all have very much in common since we are all caregivers and I'm sure that I'll learn much from everyone and I hope to encourage and give advice to many.

Just came home from a busy day at dialysis and I'm so happy to be able to relax now on helium.

Nursing is a great profession, but it sure gives you a daily workout!  LOL

Take care all

Carrie

Carrie,

Welcome to Caring Caregivers we are so happy that you have decided to join us.  We are a fliud site and we are challenged keeping up with the changes in healthcare and as well with each other. LOL

You are so right Carrie nursing is all that you have said and more. You know well it is not for the faint of heart.

We are looking forward to reading your articles and encourage you to participate in our forums.

Happy writing.

Olivia

Thank you for the warm welcome Olivier.  I so look forward to being a part of this community.

Carrie

Please stop by our Caring Caregivers Zone.  Leave a comment or let us know what you would like to see on our zone.  Let us know if you have an article that we could post and share with other caregivers.

Although we do have professional caregivers that contribute to this site.  Any caregiver is welcome to join us and contribute to our zone.

Happy Writing

Stay well

Olivia

Dear Caring Caregivers,

Once again we have the opportunity to be Thankful .....A holiday season that brings us all together and reminds us what caring is all about.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours  :)

Olivia

Once again we have reached the holiday season. A time when we each celebrate a meaningful holiday with those of our family and friends who mean the most to us.  It can also be a time when some are reflecting on the loss of those they loved and their empty chair at the table.  Some of us may have experienced the joy of a newborn that now adds much to their lives.  It is with all of these cherished memories we move on into the new year.

On behalf of our Helium family of Caregivers I want to wish you and yours the blessings and joys of  this season and a Merry Christmas and happy healthy New Year.

Olivia

Never underestimate the value of a moment....

It takes just a moment to tell someone you care for how they have added to your life .  Just a moment to tell someone you love them. Just a moment to place you hand on the shoulder of someone who is dealing with heartache or pain. Use the moments in Your New Year  as if there were treasures..  because they are.

Keep moments for yourself to reflect on your life and decide if there is anything you want to change. Then do it. 

I want to use this moment to wish all of you a Happy Healthy New Year !

Olivia

Does your baby have a yellowish tinge over the skin or the sclera (eye)? Don’t be alarmed. It may be normal for the age of your baby.

Hi!   I am interested in making connections within my particular caregiving field, Supported Living.  I professionally care for a couple great guys who are developmentally disabled.  They are young adults sharing a house in Northern California.  I am part of a staff who support them on a twenty-four hour schedule. 

I was hoping to find some others who are working in related fields to share notes of experiences and philosophies and maybe some anecdotes of unusual and humorous things that often happen when we least expect it.

I welcome any and all responses.  Smilin' all the while,

Spirit Heart

 Hello Caring caregivers,

I would like to take this opportunity to say Good Bye to all the caring caregivers that have been part of the caregiving Zone. I thank you for your support and contributions of posted articles since 2007.

I look forward to new challenges related to HTG's and hope that you will find your way to the HTG's.

Caring cargivers are primary to quality health maintenence.

Stay well,  Oliva

OliviaBredbenner

healthcare-helium-caring-caregivers

Poetry And-More-/ Don't cry daddy

http://justsayingbyolivia.blogspot.com

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/oliviarn02

 Freelance writer

Good luck, Olivia!

Ann Marie

Check out my newest posts on money, green or anything.

Momma's Money Matters