Jesus said:  “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”  Matthew 25:40

Caregivers are people who take care of other adults, often parents or spouses or children with special medical needs. Caregiving is hard, and caregivers of chronically ill people often feel stress. They are “on-call” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It can often seem overwhelming. 

If you are a caregiver, it may often feel that you are in this alone. No one else really understands or cares.  God cares.  He is in this with you. He is always there whiter you realize it or not.  He cares about your loved one and he cares about you. He knows the times you get impatient, the times you cry in frustration and the times you feel you cannot deal with one more thing. And he understands.  He also sees your gentle touch, your kind words, going the extra mile when you don’t feel like it, changing the bed for the umpteenth time in one day.   Being conscious of God’s presence can be uplifting and heartwarming and encouraging. 

“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” 
Deut. 33:27

Whatever is troubling you, whatever you are anxious about, whatever you are grieving, talk it out with Jesus.  When you feel everything is whirling out of control, and you are so tired it is hard to put one foot in front of the other, give it to Jesus.  Ask him to forgive you for the times you mess up and to help you have a servant attitude as he did.  

“ I lift my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."  PS 121:1-2

Realize you are special.  You are caring for your loved one.  What you are doing matters.  May God bless you in your efforts and strengthen you and comfort you in ways that only he can.

“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Ps 63:7-8

Careline
www.cssdoorway.org

click on Programs and Services
click on caregiver assistance network

There is a support group at Zion Lutheran that meets the 3rd Monday at 7 – 8:30 PM.  You can contact Bobbe Hinaman at 231-6321 for more information.

National Family Caregiver Support Program
www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.asp.

Top Tab: Select Elders and Caregivers – click
Note:  Help! Where to find it
           Taking care of others
            Caregiver resources

AARP
www.aarp.org

Search – type in: caregivers
Note: gives a selection of information, magazine articles, etc.

Baltimore, MD Resource
www.baltimorecountymd.gov

Under Human Services select Senor Services – click
Scroll down to: Other Related Pages and select Caregiver Connection – click
Note: Gives online chat rooms and support groups
          Stories about experiences with caregiving

Family Doctor
www.familydoctor.org

Scroll down to Seniors 
Select End of Life Care – click
Select caregiver stress – click
Note:   Who is a caregiver
            Why is caregiving so hard
            What should I do if I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed

Medline Plus
www.medlineplus.com

On side tab, select Health Topics – click
Scroll down to Health and Wellness
Select Social/Family Issues – click
Select Caregivers – click
Note:    Caregiver stress
Caregiver Tip Sheet
Living Day to Day
Scroll down to Overviews and to coping and to specific conditions
Note:  Family caregiving
          Caring for the caregiver
          Information of caring for loved ones with specific conditions