I'd been a bedside volunteer for more than five years; sitting with dying patients and their families once or twice a week for up to four continuous hours. Sometimes I stayed with patients overnight. Regardless how demanding my responsibilities, I knew that when I left the bedside, I'd have three to six days to "recover."

It was a time to prepare myself for next week's activities that could range from cooking a meal, to witnessing a friend's active dying. My downtime-something that allowed me to

We have a crisis in America. It's talked about over dinner, on the golf course, at the water cooler, at parties; it's talked about everywhere. And yet, no one knows what to do about it. We've all heard of the Sandwich Generation, the Silver Tsunami and other clever names for our aging population and their caregivers.

Most recent statistics indicate that there are 67 million Americans providing $360 billion dollars a year in free care and services for a loved one with no formal training. With Baby

I had the pleasure of presenting on the rewards and challenges of caregiving at St. George parish in Tinley Park, IL recently. I was glad to see such a good turnout, especially in the midst of Chicago's first winter storm.

We often hear about the difficulties of caregiving, but not so much about the rewards. Of course there are very challenging aspects of caregiving, but I felt it was important to emphasize the

Having a smartphone is almost like having your own personal assistant. If you are a caregiver, you will certainly benefit by having a helping hand with your to-do list, it's probably longer than most! The creators of smartphone apps have caregivers covered in some very handy ways and here are a few that have got my attention:

Medicine Cabinet - lets you keep a list of medications for one or more individuals. The application keeps track of times such as when the last time a dosage was taken and when the next dose

Our caregivers are our best allies in ensuring the safety and well-being of our beloved elderly or loved ones who need care. They make sure that all our loved ones' needs are provided for, especially during those times when we can't do the caregiving task ourselves. Because of this, we should also care for our private duty caregivers. They are really important in our lives not only because they take the responsibility of nursing our elderly parents or sick children, but because they provide us respite, allowing us to take breaks and breathe. And when I say care, it really doesn't matter

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Someday in your life you will have been all of these. ~George Washington Carver

You should realize that the articles I write are often printed in blood, so to speak. Today's is no exception. I need my own advice. Let me explain...

We have a crisis in America. It's talked about over dinner, on the golf course, at the water cooler, at parties; it's talked about everywhere. And yet, no one knows what to do about it. We've all heard of the Sandwich Generation, the Silver Tsunami and other clever names for our aging population and their caregivers. Most recent statistics indicate that there are 67 million Americans providing $360 billion dollars a year in free care and services for a loved one with no formal training. With Baby Boomers turning 65 this year, the numbers of our aging

Kings and cabbages go back to compost but good deeds stay green forever. ~ Rick DeMartinis

The shorter way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time. ~Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. ~Winston Churchill

Born in Los Angeles, CA second of five daughters and two sons, Sonia studied Counseling and earned her Bachelor's degree in Nursing, specializing in Oncology

For example, when we treat ourselves with DIGNITY, it is a natural process to extend this behavior to those in our care. How do we treat ourselves with dignity? A simple adjustment to BEING instead of DOING makes an amazing difference. What we focus on expands, so we can choose to focus on what we want. By acknowledging what we want within ourselves, we will create more of this value in our lives. For example, the daily 6 principles of care giving may be balanced with the six principles of self care. Decide on one value (such as; clarity, courage, creativity, focus, fun, being consistent,

Be willing to lose your own dignity, in order to protect the RIGHTS of your client. Individual rights are guaranteed by law and no one can take them away. A person's rights are protected by law because rights are crucial to a person's freedom. People have a right to competent, compassionate care that is delivered with respect. A person in your care should not be expected to give up any of their rights. Which rights would you give up? Caregivers have an obligation to be ethical and do the right thing.