How can something as seemingly simple as just listening reduce your caregiver stress?

As a caregiver, sometimes the best thing you can do is to listen.  Whether you’re a professional caregiver or a family caregiver, listening may just be the single most important thing you do. 

When I practiced medicine, listening to my patients was often the fastest way to find out what was bothering them.  And as a family caregiver I use those same skills.

Good elder care involves a lot of listening. 

Maybe you’re the only one who listens to -

• Her stories…
• Her pains and sorrows…
• His joys…
• Her tips for or favorite way of knitting…
• And most of all what’s in his or her heart.

“One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is listen to each other’s stories.” ~ Rebecca Falls

Listening - really listening – may be the only way to find out what’s really bothering the one you care for. 

Or maybe she wants to share a story about her childhood.  Maybe as an adult you can help her move past a bad experience even learn to forgive and forget. 

Has she lost the ability to forgive herself?  Maybe you can help her forgive herself and others, reducing her stress.  Which can also reduce your caregiver stress. 

It’s much easier caring for someone who’s happy than one who’s not.  And she may be angry or hurt by people long dead.

Sometimes listening seems like the only thing you can do.  It can be your unique gift.  In giving to the one you’re caring for, you can reduce your own stress. 

Everyone wants to feel special and be appreciated for who he or she is. 

When you can give that gift of appreciation to someone else, it’s rarely refused. 

Oh she may say she hasn’t done anything special.  Still you can often touch her on a deeper level.

Heart to heart.

And now there’s a unique way to show others how special they are while reducing your own stress.

Click here right now to find out more about it.

To your healthy caregiving,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”
Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care,  www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

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The information on this website is for educational purposes only.  It does not replace information or recommendations from your own physician or other health care provider.  Full Disclaimer and Disclosure at www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com/Policies