Grief and Growing

Rayna Neises, ACC, host, and Karen Weaver, cohost, reflect on the interview with April McCollum. April shared her creative ideas for self-care and dealing with grief. One specific suggestion included the adult coloring book she authored. Additional insights discussed:

• Having a tangible item in front of you brings the opportunity to think about grief and can help you move through it.
• Taking time out to process your thoughts can help you identify when grief is at the center.
• Document your loved one’s story as you go to show interest in them, to help them reminisce, and to ensure that you have the information before they are gone. StoryWorth.com
• Caregiving for your loved one should not be a burden and when it starts to feel that way, take time to figure out what changes are needed to remove that feeling.
• The caregiving season can be an opportunity to learn to really decide what is important.
• Expectations can be helpful motivators. However, when set unrealistically, they can become a source of disappointment and frustration.
• Great love brings great loss but also growth and great gains.
• Check out the Caring Quiz to learn about your caring style and how to build teams to meet your needs during the caring season.
• And, don’t forget to listen and then comment on this podcast post on our Facebook page to be eligible to win a coloring book from April!