Every Wednesday

Tags

Cheryl Carmichael, DareToCare, dementia, elder care, insurance forms, John, Mamee, memory loss, paperwork

Every Wednesday, John goes to his grandmothers house.
Every Wednesday, she is waiting by the door with her walker and wallet.
Every Wednesday, it takes her at least 12 minutes to get from the front door, down the short ramp and into the truck.
Every Wednesday, John stands behind her and helps her get seated.

Every Wednesday.

Before Mamee retired, she made her husband (JC) promise that she could go to the beauty shop to get her hair done once a week.

Every Wednesday.

During the time JC was in the nursing home and then after he passed away, different family members took their turns taking her.
When we moved back, John decided to take a turn.

Every Wednesday.

To say Mamee is frail would be an understatement. I’ve seen a picture of her before the osteoporosis claimed her body. She was a regal woman.
Tall.
Thin.
Beautiful.

But now she is bearing the marks of agedness.

Every Wednesday, John takes her to the beauty shop. It is as equally long a process getting out of the truck.
She calls him about an hour after getting there and he goes back and picks her up.

Every Wednesday they go to Pizza Hut and have a lunch date.

Every Wednesday the manager of Pizza Hut gives them lunch for free. I would like to think its because she sees the value in taking care of your elderly family members. Regardless of the reason, it’s a blessing.

Every Wednesday I have watched the man I love, love his grandmother.

John usually takes John Bridge or Finley with him. Mamee loves getting to see them and John loves the one on one time he gets with each kid.

Every Wednesday, my babies are exposed to what it will be like to take care of their grandparents and then us.

Brooks has a special bond with Mamee. He takes care of her in a way that only a 7 year old boy can. He enjoys getting to carry her purse and bible into church. He loves holding the door for her. He gets to use the hammer with John when something needs fixed at her house.
He sits and talks with her.

And he doesn’t even realize how much he is helping.

Every Wednesday, John puts the needs of his grandmother above his own.

When JC passed, John walked Mamee thru financial and legal papers.
Insurance forms.
Medical records.
This was nothing new for him because he worked at a funeral home during high school and after college.
But if roles had been reversed, I would’ve been drowning in papers I know nothing about.

He is a good caregiver.
Kind.
Patient.
Knowledgable.

I’m thankful for a man who walks out his faith every Wednesday.

I’m thankful that God sent Cheryl Carmichael to help me get prepared for my turn in elder ministry.

Cheryl sent me a book she wrote called Dare to Care. Her passion is helping the elderly and it is definitely a God given passion!

I didn’t know that there were different types of elder care.
Supervisory Care.
Personal Care.
Palliative Care.

Cheryl doesn’t leave anything out.
Thorough and helpful, all while being easy to read and informative.

My grandfather is in the early stages of Dementia. I don’t spend a lot of time with him because they live in a different city, but my grandmother and my mom are his primary caregivers. When I was reading this book, the chapter on Memory Loss Care obviously stood out to me. She has a life story tool that is used to give the caregiver insight into the elder. If for some reason I needed to sit with grandad for a night, this form would be so valuable!

November is National Family Caregivers month and Cheryl had graciously given me a copy of her book to give away to one of you!

If you would like to be entered into the drawing for the book, please leave a comment with your email address. I will have random.org pick a winner on Friday.

In the meantime, go check out Cheryl’s book on Amazon and her Facebook page to get a glimpse into her heart.

Every Wednesday, I’m thankful for John loving his grandmother.

Every Wednesday, I am committing to pray for caregivers and the huge responsibility they have.

*feel free to share this post on your FB page, to you friends via email, on twitter or by homing pigeon. Everyone needs this book!

Disclaimer : I have been gifted a copy of Dare To Care. My opinions are my own and I am not being paid to say any of the sweet things I say.