In So Many Words

A few months ago, I was approached about helping to beta test a new site for caregivers of loved ones with issues such as Alzheimer’s, autism, and more. The site offers a way to connect with other caregivers through online journals and book clubs, and it provides lots of resources related to caregiving as well as to self-care.

Sounds pretty good so far, but what really made this site so interesting to me is that the site is built around an online game where you learn about caregiving while also solving a mystery and having the option to solve various puzzles along the way! I have been through the first two episodes of the game, which primarily discuss caring for an elderly relative with Alzheimer’s or a similar illness, and it really opened my eyes to what my father-in-law and sister-in-law have been experiencing in providing the day-to-day care for my mother-in-law, who has Alzheimer’s.

Of course, I blog mostly about autism and many of my readers are more interested in that topic. There are at least two book clubs specifically focused on autism and a fair amount of resources such as recommended books and tip sheets on various issues. A quick search of the term autism on the site turns up a number of related journal entries and book club discussions.

So, if you or someone you know could use a little break from the stress of the day, or would benefit from connecting with someone else in a similar situation, I would encourage you to check out this site. Right now, they are offering a free one year membership and will also contribute $1 to the Autism Society for anyone who joins using this link.

If you want to stop reading and go check it out, feel free! And if you’d like a bit more information about the site first, I am happy to oblige…

New Resource for Family Caregivers

Despite millions of dollars and hundreds of dedicated websites, family caregivers are still in trouble.

Over 60 million family caregivers in the U.S. alone are sick (with nearly twice the rate of chronic illnesses as their non-caregiving peers); they’re depressed (40-60% report significant feelings of depression) and they’re frustrated, unable to find resources or solutions they need to help with the basic, day-to-day caregiving tasks they face. They’re also costly to our economy, accounting for an estimated $29 billion in lost productivity to our country’s businesses.

It’s time to change this description of the family caregiver. It’s time to do just one thing: Improve the lives of family caregivers. Caregiver Village, a brand new place on the web, is dedicated to doing exactly this.

• Caregiver Village is dedicated to building better health, using an innovative, engaging virtual game to inspire better self-care, teach stress management skills, and build more positive attitudes about caregiving.
• Caregiver Village is dedicated to increasing happiness, by helping caregivers connect more with others, choosing their caregiving journey and encouraging mindful support of each other.
• Caregiver Village is dedicated to easing frustration, by linking to resources caregivers need to make a tangible difference in their lives.
• To achieve such an epic change it will take a true Village – a Caregiver Village – reaching out, inviting friends, family and acquaintances to join with us as we raise our voices, affirm our choices and change the world of caregiving today.

Join in. Make a Difference.

You can be a part of this transformation. All it takes is a few simple steps:

JOIN – Become part of Caregiver Village and join a community of supportive, positive, life-changing individuals.

SOLVE THE MYSTERY – Put the “fun” into what is perceived as a terrible drudgery by others. Play the Village Chronicles virtual game, and have a little fun while learning valuable self-care techniques.

SHARE YOUR STORY – Creating and sharing a journal can be an incredibly helpful experience. No writing expertise required. Everyone’s welcome.

GET CONNECTED – Join one of the many book clubs within Caregiver Village. You’ll find a group of people ready to help, support, educate and amuse you. They’re waiting just inside.

FIND RESOURCES – Caregiver Village has a selection of resources selected just for busy family caregivers. Find resources that can make daily caregiving tasks much more manageable. You’ll find links to important organizations as well as exclusive Tip Sheets and Online Training courses designed just for you.

Join me today in reaching out and improving your life – my life – and the lives of other family caregivers all over the country.

LIMITED TIME OFFER:
Join NOW and receive a year’s membership free – $50 value! In addition, when you join using this link, Caregiver Village will donate $1 to the Autism Society.

For this week’s Try This Tuesday, we have a special guest – Rickismom from beneath the wings, and she is sharing a great idea for a speech game. She has taken an idea she learned to help with those pesky pronouns and added her own illustrations to help make it super easy to follow along.

This idea would work great with young children who are typically developing and at that stage of learning how to use their pronouns. Check it out!