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Hello & Welcome

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. IN MEMORY .

My Love left us January 2022. He was 82. His years with memory loss and all his associated senior ailments were over.

Things happened so quickly. In that moment it seemed like our nearly 29 years together had been blown away by a wisp of air … gone.

Remember as you read and learn that caregiving is a gift we have been given to share with our loved ones. Be the best caregiver, give love with every effort you make, every task you accomplish, every thought you think, or service you provide. We get no do-overs. Be present when caring for those you love.

I am ever grateful I was the one who cared for my love 24/7. I understand the heartache,
but love never dies; keep loving.
Love, ❤ Judy Shone

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Hey there – Yes, you…

The thing about caregiving is
…when caregivers are climbing the steep
caregiver learning curve,
swamped by all that is required of them
to observe and learn,
they quickly become desperate and feel the need…
for support, for someone to talk to,
for reassurance that they are doing OK,
and especially not to feel alone.

It is then that caregivers realize
that information from other caregivers,
might be helpful.

It is truly unbelievable how fast that happens.

The question is: Will you be ready?

We may become an encourager, part of important support, a professional involved in the care, or specifically as a caregiver. It does not matter what you call a caring person – a caregiver, caretaker, care partner, carer, principal, la cuidadora, or angel of mercy, guardian, minder, or one of others that means
‘someone responsible for the care of another.’

We know the road you walk is not easy and are here to help. Look through the menu titles and topics. We cover a lot about caregiving that many readers have found helpful, some have even contributed their stories here to encourage and help other caregivers.

Among our pages,
you will find important information relating to caregiving for those with memory loss.
Find your way through the menu and side bar titles…find what resonates on today.

Maybe begin with Caregiver Tips!

Some days I feel the need to tell it like it really feels, to let readers know that we caregivers are human, too, and have reactions we wish we could change! It always seems better if we have someone to talk to, or who listens, or who understands!
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

MAKING OUR WAY FROM FEAR TO COURAGE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING
we focus on caregivers for loved ones with memory loss
and their support, encouragers, families and friends.
My wish is that you discover connection and reassurance here!
💖

Browse the menu and side bar links
Find inspiration in the words caregivers share
Ask specific questions if you want more information.

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“I am drawn to Judith’s telling of her caregiving experiences
because of the touching sincerity of her words.
But now that I am digging more deeply into the
Accepting the Gift of Caregiving blogsite,
I find that I am also wowed by Judith’s technological capabilities!”

Barbara G. Matthews, caregiver, blogger
“What to do About Mama?”

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There is no better teacher than life’s emotional experiences,
your own, and especially experiences shared by others on similar paths.

I invite you to walk with us and learn from
those who taught us, who supported us,
who befriended us, and who cared for us
on our 10-year journey. 💝

Grab hold of my hand,
lean on me and the authors here on this site, so you will know you are not alone.

Discover joys and sorrows from my spouse-caregiving life that began when My Love was first diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment…when I was truly scared and lonely.

Maybe you can relate to the moment of My Love’s diagnosis, when I was plunged, untrained and scared into the approaching darkness of the most demanding phase of my life as a spouse-caregiver.

It isn’t what you do, it’s your attitude and the way you do it that makes all the difference.
Through essays and stories, discover what might be ahead in a caregiver’s world.

As you witness my unfolding growth, in empathy
and compassion, I hope my words
…will lift spirits …resonate…make you laugh and cry,
…make a human connection
so, ultimately, neither of us will feel alone. 💖

Uncover the ‘how,” in terms of getting results in dementia, as you explore this site, as you read and vicariously experience this unique realm with us.

Thank you for visiting.
My wish is that we have helpful information for you.

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While you are here, take time to read
ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Judith Allen Shone —
to become familiar with her caregiver perspective
for her loved one.

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Questions?

See Education & Resources and Reading Options

Email me if you wish to share a story, a comment,
a caregiver tip, or to ask questions.
! 🥰 !

🍦 Thank you for your encouragement,
your time to visit, and to connect. 🍪

~ 💙💛💚 ~

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HOW THE SITE IS SET UP

First, we have 🎵 relaxing music 🎵 to listen to, and to relax you, while visiting our site!

Then see Stories and All Titles listing that show the articles, essays and stories about specific topics, plus education, research, exercise and entertainment! 😊

The Post Excerpts, will guide you through the BLOG section posts. They are similar to day-to-day story telling.

Take time to look around so you can come back when you want to feel connected to caregivers. 💜

The Conversation with a Caregiver video is a short discussion with a caregiver of 10 years!

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Share our LINK

Do not wait. YOU BE THE ONE who responds to a caregiver’s plea, you be the one who reaches out with encouragement to that caregiver who needs your friendship. You’ll know the one.

It feels good to discover others have been angry or sad, have experienced similar guilt,  and made the same mistakes and wondered about the same unanswered questions.

These stories can be like a hand-to-hold for any caregiver who is floundering in the darkness of unfamiliarity. They will not have to feel alone.

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** A REMINDER before you go, these stories are copyrighted with all rights reserved. If you choose to copy any words from this site, for education purposes, for your school project, for sharing with other caregivers, for inclusion in a speech, please, please honor the rights of authors, as you wish to be honored and include the author’s name, mine or the guest, the article name and the date, the name and link of this blog. THANK YOU.

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Are you a caregiver?

Do you wonder what another caregiver
might be experiencing?
Could learning from others help you on your journey?

Consider reading these books
specifically written for caregivers.

Understand the caregiver’s life!
Those who yearned to feel encouragement and support
have resonated with the shared experiences,
both here and in these two books.

BE PREPARED for the role of caregiver…
Many stories here are from my life as a spouse-caregiver, some even written almost as they are happening. Read the stories I share to become prepared for life in the world of Alzheimer’s!
Send me questions if you wish.
I will try my best to get you answers.
Thank you.

Where to next?
Learn About this Site . . . see the menu items you might be interested to review.

1. Browse the menu; let us erase the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease and those who care for them through understanding.
2. Read more about the book, Is There Any Ice Cream?
3. READ REVIEWS of the book Is There Any Ice Cream? and Did You Hide the Cookies?
4. Learn More about Judith Allen Shone, author.

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~jas

“Caregivers Encouraging One Another” Copyright © 2019 – 2023 Judith Allen Shone

This site, “Accepting the Gift of Caregiving”,  first posted articles to help caregivers in 2017 on Blogger and transferred to WordPress in 2019.Thank you visiting.

NOTE: All illustrations for book cover, the lilacs, and the illustrations for the Caregiver Feels image are originally created by ©Tatiana Mitrushova, with license from fotolia.com. @MitrushovaArt on Etsy. The cone of the book cover original by Jiri Hera, with license from dreamstime.com

Many of the graphic images in this site are from Pexels.com and Pixabay.com. We are grateful to the creators, photographers, illustrators and artists for permission to use them.

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