Caregiver corner

Upcoming information sessions you might find helpful:

Oak Ridge Assisted Living and Oak Ridge Manor will be hosting an informational meeting on avoiding scams perpetrated on older adults on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Manor, 1199 Bahls Drive.

Dementia and Memory Loss: If you are concerned for a person with memory loss or dementia, this seminar can help you understand the disease-related elements. Learn ways to cope with symptoms and communicate with someone experiencing memory loss or dementia. Join Lynn Cibuzar from DARTS on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Tilden Community Center, 310 River St. Please call 651 480 7689 to register for this free, educational session.

One caregiver’s reflections on caring for older loved ones: Caring Reflections/ Second String

My mother is the primary caregiver for my father. I've known that for a long time, and have been grateful. But then, about five months ago...Wham! The thing I had worried about, but whose likelihood I'd minimized, happened. The thing all the experts tell you to plan for happened. The thing that can throw the whole fragile system out of whack happened. The caregiver became ill, too. Enter the second string.

In a quick pre-hospitalization huddle, Mom taught me their basic routines, and I was able to fill in for a few days. I tried to learn the playbook they'd been using, but it's a whole different game when the players are father and daughter rather than husband and wife. My sister came, too, and brought her own refreshing plays to the mix.

I've learned a few things as a bench player: patterns can change and still work; my role as daughter is sacred and worth preserving; the peace that comes with family equilibrium doesn't require long periods of steadiness, but can be appreciated in one day, a few hours, or even mere moments of well being.

My mother is back in the starting lineup now, although with less vigor and needing more support. We're still not really prepared for what to do when the primary caregiver goes down and the second string comes in, but I'm more confident we can figure it out because we're a stronger team now.

(Editor’s note: Beth’s complete online journal can be found at: www.darts1.org/

blog/caring-reflections.

For a resource guide for service providers who can help in your caregiver journey, please stop by the

Hastings Senior Center in the Tilden Community Center, or go online to: www.darts1.org/dakotcoun

ty-eldercare-resources.

If you would like to submit a question or concern about your own caregiving experience, and get direct, one-to-one information and advice from a licensed social worker and eldercare advisor, please visit: www.darts1.

org/online-caregiving-advi

sor or call 651 455 1560.

Tags: events, seniors, entertainment, local