“Caregiving is a wonderful gift that you provide willingly to those that you love dearly. In return, you can expect long hours, under-appreciation, and a very dangerous temptation to focus your attention and actions on everyone and everything except yourself. But it doesn't have to be this way. You can learn to lift your spirit in the midst of unbearable grief, forgive yourself for not being able to do everything perfectly every day, and be a positive influence for others who will travel this same path later.”
— Jill Hickman

WHO IS A CAREGIVER?
The majority of family caregivers are female; often the daughter.  It is usually, by geographical default, the daughter that lives closest to her elderly parents.  There are other caregivers, too, including mothers of disabled children and spouses.  It is a full-time job but often caregivers work full-time outside the home as well. 

WHY IS COACHING NECESSARY FOR CAREGIVERS?
Having a coach will provide you with the sounding board that is so needed at this time to inspire, motivate, encourage, and remind you of the loving gift that you are providing without losing your sanity. At the same time, coaching will provide insight to discovering the many ways to return to the YOU that you know and love. When you're caring for others, self-care becomes the number one priority, but it is often the number one casualty. 

HOW DO I KNOW ABOUT THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF CAREGIVERS?
Having been there myself, I can share the insider's perspective of being a caregiver, and as a coach, provide you with a path uniquely paved for you to rediscover your own gifts and treasure this time now. There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching your loved one deteriorate in health and spirit. Yet, it is one of life's blessings and treasures to be able to provide love and nurturing at a time when he/she needs it the most. Many people experience pain and suffering, yet few learn from it. Even less in number are those able to provide any positive lessons for others along the way. Be the difference. Be the positive light for others, for yourself and for your loved one that you are caring for. Anyone can be miserable. Choose to be remarkable. Learn to be exceptional.

Offer yourself the gift of a coach OR, if you know someone who is a caregiver - offer them the gift of a coach. Caregivers rarely ask for help; instead, they suffer in heartbreaking silence. Break the silence; offer them the gift of a voice that they can reach out to for comfort, for sanity, for peace.

HOW CAN CAREGIVERS SCHEDULE ANYTHING ELSE INTO AN ALREADY OVERLOADED SCHEDULE?
Coaching conversations are scheduled at the convenience of the caregiver, but they are scheduled. Keeping a schedule and having something or someone to share with is a critical part of caregiving sanity. With coaching, you learn the skill of saying NO and agreeing to only ABSOLUTELY YES moments in your life. Reach out today for the support that you need or that someone you care about and love needs. Be the light in their lives.

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.
It is then burst into flame by an encounter
with another human being."
- Albert Schweitzer