November 2009 Archives

It's holiday time again, and while holidays are supposed to be a time of enjoyment and happiness, you and your family may feel stressed because of extra demands placed upon already busy schedules.  The following suggestions may help:

• Sit down as a family and make a list of all of the things that need to be done, then delegate tasks.
• Make a December calendar and include all of the dates and times of all activities so you don't worry about forgetting something.
• Take a look at your family's holiday activities.  Are there things that you do but don't really enjoy.  Consider not doing that activity or doing it in a different way.
• Plan easy meals.  Double batch your favorite casseroles and put in the freezer for a quick meal on a busy day.
• Take a few minutes each day for yourself and do something relaxing.
• Keep your eating and sleeping routines as close to normal as possible.
• Expect young children to misbehave occassionally.  Remember, they have short attention spans and tire easily.
• finally, make time for family fun!

Have a very happy holiday season!!!!!!!

Save the date! Texas AgriLife Extension Service will host a Family Issues Summit on Thursday, March 4, 2010, from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.

The summit titled "What Keeps You Up at Night? Issues and solutions for today's families" will include, but not limited to, topics on finances, care giving, health and wellness, communication, and stress management. Attendees will bring home information that is educational, practical, and beneficial to themselves as well as their families.

So mark your calendar! More details will be posted later on Lifeline. For a copy of the event flyer click Save-the-Date Family Issues Summit.pdf.

For more information about the Family Issues Summit contact Texas AgriLife Extension Service-Dallas County via phone at 214-904-3050 or Email Lexie McGrane at amcgrane@ag.tamu.edu or Wenhsing Cheng at wcheng@ag.tamu.edu.

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Area caregivers who help older adults and persons with disabilities are invited to attend "The Fearless Caregiver: A Day of Sharing Wisdom." The workshop, free and open to the public, will be held Wednesday, November 11, at Highland Springs Retirement Community, 8000 Frankford Road, on the border of Dallas and Plano from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. Highland Springs will provide complimentary refreshments and lunch for attendees.

Leading the workshop will be Gary Barg, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Today's Caregiver magazine, and caregiver.com, author of The Fearless Caregiver: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One and Still Have a Life of Your Own.

The conference is designed to help attendees receive hands-on advice for his or her caregiving challenges regardless of the disease or illness their loved one is dealing with. Attendees will learn how to become a member of their loved one's care team, tried and true "time-off techniques," expert advice for beating stress and depression, and hands-on advice from caregiving experts.

A panel of experts will provide information about how to access resources including 2-1-1, the Aging & Disability Resource Centers, and Family Caregivers Online.

Rosemary Redmond, attorney, will discuss the most common legal questions and issues for caregivers.

Underwriting sponsors helping make this conference possible are Highland Springs Retirement Community, ResCare Home Care, Alert Response, Reachout Home Care, and Evercare.

This conference is a service of the Area Agencies of North Central Texas on Aging, Dallas County and Tarrant County. Other sponsors include Alzheimer's Association of Greater Dallas and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Although the event is free, pre-registration is required, no later than November 9. Reservations can be made via email, at caregiverconf@flash.net, or by phone, at 1-800-272-3921, extension 9194.

For more information, contact Zanda Hilger at 817-929-3535.