Stressed Caregivers Might Consider Jin Shin Jyutsu - The Art of Releasing Tensions

Stressed caregivers interested in adding alternative therapies to their regular medical care might consider Jin Shin Jyutsu, defined as "the art of releasing tensions which are the causes for various symptoms in the body." Historical records show this healing art has been around since before Buddha. It is also described as "an innate part of human's wisdom...simplifying the complexities of existence...truly an Art of Living."

This healing art was brought from Japan to the United States in the 1950's by Mary Burmeister, and classes are available in a variety of locations. "Listen only to harmony" and "Energy is enthusiasm in motion" are some of the inspirational quotes featured at the website along with a scenic slide show.

Mary Burmeister's book, Jin Shin Jyutsu Is Getting to Know (Help) Myself, Art of Living explains that this healing art is not meant to be a substitute for regular medical attention, but to be used in addition to it.

Translated literally, Jin is "man of knowing, compassion." Shin refers to "creator." The word Jyutsu refers to "art." Thus it means "creator's art personally for myself."

Some of the chapters in the book include "Awareness of Universal Energy," "Application of Awareness," and "Attitudes."

American Heart Association Free Caregiver's Self-Care Journal Says "You Are Here For A Reason" and more

At the American Heart Association the free Caregiver's Journal starts with a quotation for caregivers by Carolyn Joy Adams. "You are here for a reason...perhaps the very specific challenges faces you right noware truly invitations to expand your capacity to be patient, courageous, flexible, forgiving, to make wise choices...and to become more fully...the beautiful soul you are meant to be."

The Caregiver's Journal also includes pages for the following.

"Caregiver's Rights
Caregiver Health Checklist
Be Realistic, Think Positive
Refresh Yourself
Replenish Your Body and Mind
Reach Out
Handy Charts
How to Cope with Change"


The American Heart Association Caregiver's Journal is a place for caregivers to keep track of their health and needs. Caregivers often forget about looking after their self-care when they are focused on the needs of a loved one or friend who is suffering. After awhile thoughts of self occur less and less frequently until the caregiver's needs keep getting put off, perhaps forever.

Caregiver's are used to keeping charts and journals for someone whom they are assisting. Now the need for a journal for caregivers is recognized as important, too. Doctor's often call the caregiver the "hidden patient" because in caring for another the caregiver's own health may suffer.

Twenty-Three Minute Care for the Caregiver Video - Important During the Holidays

Caregiver stress during the holidays can go up as the demands on time and energy go up. Tension, problems sleeping, irritability, and depression can happen at the same time that holiday merrymaking and shopping for gifts are occuring. The contrast between life's realities and idealistic visions of holidays can be stressful as people try to live up impossible standards. A sense of peace is more important than the spending encouraged by the advertisers, and this time of year doesn't need to be a race to achieve the most festivities.

The 23 minute Care for the Caregiver video is especially important when caregivers may feel their energy is stretched and stressed to the max during the holidays. A few minutes of quiet meditative contemplation might be all a busy caregiver can manage at times, but even this will stop the ongoing marathon of stress for those caregivers who are faced with many tasks.

Best wishes to everyone. Enjoy the video.

"Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" on Billboards Now

In Michigan ten billboards with the message "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" have been placed. The message is the theme for The Caregivers Resource Network, a Michigan based organization. At their website caregivers can take a Self-Check Survey on Personal Well Being, that includes 15 questions to measure physical and psychological problems that caregivers often experience.

The "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" campaign and the health checklist for caregivers point to the caregivers' needs for resources to help with the often overwhelming job of caregiving.

Examples of problems on the caregivers' checklist include the following:

• Felt completely overwhelmed
• Felt lonely
• Been edgey or irritable
• Had a crying spell
• Felt ill (headaches, etc.)

The "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" billboards may help alert caregivers and families to the need for resources and support.

Often caregiving is not recognized as having an overwhelming physical and psychological burden on the caregiver. Demands can be seemingly unlimited and exhaustion and stress reach a high level while caregivers try to continue soldiering on as heroes.

The studies and statistics show, as covered in previous posts on this blog, that caregivers' own health often gives out. Lifespan can be shortened, lifting injuries occur, and depression and anxiety are found at high levels in caregivers.

Self-Care for the Caregiver - Who Has the Time Or Money?

A good night's sleep, a breakfast of high protein cereal, and a long, slow walk are some of the ways I have been taking steps for self-care of myself, as a caregiver. But, I know that for many caregivers having the time available for self-care is difficult or impossible, like a luxury. The recent article on CNN about Caregiver Syndrome gave a name to the effects of caregiving stress and emphasized how important it is for caregivers to use self-care. The previous post on this blog explains an article and study that shows Alzheimer's caregivers are at risk for a shortened life.

Regarding my own self-care, now that I'm 55 years old I have joined a local seniors group, the Central Coast Seniors, located at 1580 Railroad St., Oceano, California, and the phone is (805) 481-7886. I plan to take some of my caregiving clients with me to the activities. I know they will enjoy the outing. That way I can visit with friends, play Bingo or Bridge, be part of a fun club, and meet more friends. I plan to bring an elderly senior whom I am assisting so that person can watch or participate too. The group also provides health classes for seniors, Friday night group dinners, and health screening workshops.

The Caregivers Network at caregiverresource.net lists time off, sleep, keeping a sense of humor, educating yourself, and making realistic commitments as some of the important parts of self-care for the caregiver. Isolation for caregivers is an important problem, and getting together with relatives and friends can be difficult if a caregiver does not have any time off.

Recent articles discussed Alzheimer's caregivers who were visited once a week by a social worker who provided training and coping skills. The caregivers who received this training experienced less stress when compared to caregivers who did not receive training. The problem is that many caregivers do not have time to find training and go to classes because life is a daily struggle with multiple demands.

The lack of time for the caregiver to devote to self-care is a big part of the problem that needs to be solved. Support groups can provide sharing and counseling. But, finding someone to affordably step in to provide caregiving can be difficult. Lack of financial resources to hire paid assistance means a family caregiver has multiple ongoing demands without rest, recreation, or time for friends.

Most people are familiar with the steps for self-care, but there is simply no time for themselves.

Some of the possible options for assistance might include checking with local agencies, such as the Area Agency on Aging, to find out about programs they have for providing outside caregivers to help out with housecleaning and other tasks.

Adult Day Care provides a way for a caregiver to have some time to rest and renew. The adult who goes to day care can have social time and activities in a safe place with assistance available.

A part-time outside caregiver can be hired but this can be too expensive for many people. In my area, San Luis Obispo County, California, USA, agencies charge from $17 per hour to $25 per hour. A registry that does criminal background checks has caregivers for $10 to $15 per hour, but the employer must then get the necessary insurances, do payroll, and supervise. Independent caregivers start at around $10 per hour, but background checks, insurances, payroll and supervising are duties of the employer. For seniors who live alone and need help, there are 24 hour, stand-by-assist caregivers. A month can run from about $7,000 to $12,000.

Often caregiving is very customized to meet an individual's needs, and it is not possible to have a well meaning neighbor stop by for awhile to help a family caregiver have time for self-care. Toileting, dealing with Alzheimer's or dementia, and helping people who are using walkers or wheelchairs are activities that require skills and knowing the individual's routine.

Family caregivers and paid caregivers often are unable to take time for themselves. As Gail Sheehy asked in a recent article at parade.com, "Who will take care of the caregivers?"

Laughter Is Good Medicine for Caregivers and Seniors

Laughter, or at least gentle humor, can be good medicine for caregivers and seniors. Reading a humorous book to someone who can no longer see well enough to read has been an enjoyable activity I've shared often.

Some of the recent readings have been from Garrison Kieller's "Prairie Home Companion" series, a book on ""How to Talk Minnesotan", a book of humor by columnist Dave Barry, and "Laughter the Best Medicine" from the Readers Digest.

Books on tape, read by authors or professionals, often with sound effects, can give the caregiver and care-receiver some relief from the usual stresses and create a light mood.

Recently some visitors stopped by while a care-reciever and I were listening to "Dusty and Lefty", some humorous cowboys from Garrison Keiller. As the humor in the stories built we were lauphing all together, and the visitors said they were glad they stopped by to join the party.

After a dose of gentle humor or outright laughing, the tired and tense feelings can melt away.

Here are a few links to wholesome, family humor.

This site offers Laughter the Best Medicine, Life in These United States, All in a Day's Work, Humor in Uniform, Laugh Lines Newsletter, and more.

Caregiver Support in San Luis Obispo County

At sanluissenior.com you can find groups that provide sharing, tips, education and ideas for people who are caregivers. For information you can call the Coast Caregiver Resource Center at (805) 534-9234.

The opportunity to share with others who are in a similar circumstance can help to reduce the isolation that many caregivers say they experience as they care for family members. Developing new friendships and learning how others are coping can ease the burdens of caregiving.