Every once in a while, even the best caregiver has a personal issue and can’t make it to work. Most of the time, we can fill the shift quickly, and all is well that ends well. Last week, however, it wasn’t going as planned when as we tried without quick success to fill a shift. Our deadline was looming, and we needed to make sure that (for privacy and in accordance to law, I will call her Loretta after my grandmother) Loretta was picked up and taken to her husband (I’ll call him Lyle, after my grandfather who is 92 and living alone in his home in Montana). Lyle had fallen at his home and was in rehabilitation about 30 minutes away. Loretta is anxious each day when we pick her up to go see her husband. At some point, we still have the huge responsibility to make sure that we fulfill our promise to our customer, so telling her we could not find anyone to take her is simply unacceptable. I jumped in my car (top down, although it was 45 degrees out) and drove to Loretta’s home. A couple knocks on the door, and there she was, her coat on, a paper in hand and a few personal items to take to Lyle. She stood not an inch more than five foot two. Her first comment getting into the car was, “It’s going to be awfully cold, isn’t it?” I assured her that I’d put the top up and sacrifice the convertible for the sake of her not catching a cold.

Driving her to the facility was fascinating, because I had a chance to learn all about their lives, where they have lived and adventures they’ve taken. This was yet another adventure in their long life, and she stated there is only one goal now, and this is to live together in their home for as long as possible. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when we walked down the hallway to Lyle’s room. Entering the room, there was a deep sigh and a frown of disappointment. Lyle was not to be found. She turned to me and said, “Can we go find him, please? I’m sure he’s not far.”

So off to roam the halls we went. The lunchroom was empty, and the lounge had another sweet couple gazing at the TV. Finally, we entered the rehabilitation room, and there he was. His eyes lit up with joy as Loretta entered the room. She turned into a completely different person when seeing him, with almost a schoolgirl giggle when their eyes met. She rushed over to him, gave him special kiss on the lips and gazed into his eyes. “Lyle,” she said, “I miss you so.” At this point, I stepped back and thought to myself, what a great service we offer. What a great business to be in. We help people every day, fulfilling the goal of living independently, but with a little help where needed. Lyle and Loretta have family in far away towns. For us, it’s our pleasure to assist them with their daily needs. The joy on their face when they saw each other, to me, made every other hardship of managing this people business worth it in every way. Lyle and Loretta, cheers to you in your pursuit of more kisses, hugs and special moments for many days to come, in the privacy of your own home and with a little help from your friends at Lighthouse Homecare.

Power Of Attorney (POA) – the basis for the authority caregivers have in decision-making regarding the life of a loved one or friend – is changing in Illinois.

Simply put, a Power of Attorney allows for a trusted friend or relative to handle your medical and business affairs when you are unable to do so by delegating specific legal authority when pre-defined conditions arise. Changes to the Illinois Power of Attorney Act, which was revised in July 2010, take effect July 1. Pre-existing or valid POA agreements from other jurisdictions will still be recognized.

These changes, the most sweeping revisions to POA in Illinois since originally enacted in 1987, respond specifically to the call by many for better oversight and transparency of agents to prevent elder abuse by those charged with their care.

The main goals of the Illinois revisions are to make POA forms more user-friendly and to give the creator of the arrangement stronger protection from financial and physical abuse. While many of the revisions are technical in nature, of note is the stronger limit of liability of health care providers and financial institutions that rely on POA documents in order to encourage the uniform acceptance of these agreements.

Other portions of the legislation cover standards of care while strengthening oversight of the caregiver. It also expands remedies against those who abuse their fiduciary responsibilities. In addition, there are changes to the process of witnessing the creation of a POA which limit who may act as a witness to avoid conflicts of interest.

Finally, these rules now reflect the current movement for stronger privacy laws, especially in the healthcare setting, and also incorporates recent improvements to the Disposition of Remains Act.

As a practitioner in the area of Elder Law, I see many clients that are facing changes in the health of a spouse, parent or relative. Shortcomings in a POA are exposed by sudden changes unless caregivers and their loved ones take time to review their arrangements. A clear, up-to-date plan can help keep these events from becoming a crisis.

When I represent clients during the creation of a POA, every effort is made to visit the scenarios that could occur during the life of the agreement. But, to prevent an emergency from exacting an
emotional or financial toll for the relative or friend, caregivers, and anyone else involved, take steps to have a current POA no matter what age you are.

Illinois lawmakers saw fit to bring long-overdue adjustments to this process. That’s a cue for all people, young and old, to review these important life documents if they already have them or create them if they don’t .

Melissa L. Uzzell, Attorney at Law, practices at Snyder Park Nelson & Schwiebert PC in Rock Island, IL. She focuses on Elder Law & Long-Term Care Planning, Disability Planning, Estate Planning and Veterans Affairs benefits. She is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

Her husband’s confused questions, the EMT’s questions, frantic calls from her children and calls to close friends, had Shirley’s mind reeling and questioning herself. Until that night, Shirley felt her plans were complete. She was grateful that she had the foresight to have documented her healthcare wishes. Her husband’s fall made her realize there were more plans she needed to make.

Replaying the evening in her mind, Shirley said all the safety precautions were in place, and there was nothing more she could have done to prevent her husband’s fall and injury. The event, however, made her more aware that her plans had “holes.”

“My mind was reeling with questions,” Shirley said. “The words “what if and who would” kept popping up. What if that had been me? What would happen to Bill? Who would know what to do? Who would know what calls to make?”

Shirley and her husband Bill’s story is a common one. Both in their late 70s, they live in the house they have shared for 40 years and want to keep it that way. Both are in good physical health, but Bill has mild to moderate dementia and requires someone with him at all times.

The closest of their three children lives about 250 miles away. While he visits about once a month, it would be difficult for him to come in a moment’s notice, she said. The other two children and their families live several states away.

Shirley believed their legal affairs were in order. They have a will, a power of attorney for healthcare, insurance papers, deed to the house, and other documents in a metal box in their closet. All the children are aware of the documents and know where to find them, she said.

Caring for Bill is Shirley’s responsibility and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Occasionally a friend will stay with Bill, but Shirley said she isn’t always comfortable asking. Recognizing the stress she experiences as a caregiver, Shirley said she utilizes Lighthouse Homecare once a week for light housekeeping and companionship for Bill while she runs errands. Bill also attends Intouch Adult Day Services of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois two days a month while she attends caregiver support groups there.

“When Bill fell I had a revelation that I needed to do more,” she said. “I thought everything was in order, and it was to a degree. I had not thought out all the scenarios. I needed to complete my plan.”

A few days after Bill’s fall, Shirley called Cynthia Bostic, Lighthouse Homecare’s administrator, to talk about her options. Within minutes a plan was being formulated. Cynthia said her goal is to be a safety net for Bill and advocate for Shirley in her absence.

“Every person has their own set of concerns,” Cynthia said. “I start by asking a few questions and the conversation flows from there, eventually getting down to the reality of who would stay with Bill the first few hours if Shirley is hospitalized to where the keys are kept for someone to get into their home for Bill. Shirley also realized having the medical papers and healthcare Power of Attorney locked up is not functional if Bill doesn’t know how to access them. One person can’t have all the knowledge and the medical information has to be available. It’s not taking over; making these plans gives them control over their lives. We help them fill the holes.”

Together Cynthia and Shirley worked out a case management plan, a safety net for Bill that included every detail anyone would need in the event of an emergency. Shirley’s children received copies of the plan and added some ideas of their own. This plan has made her relationship with her children more stable because they know their parents have someone locally to jump into action with one phone call. Lighthouse Homecare has 24-hour on-call services that allow clients and their families access to services, especially in emergencies.

Their discussion also helped Shirley see that she needed more assistance including additional days each month from Lighthouse Homecare and more time for Bill at Intouch Adult Day Services where he enjoys socializing with others. He especially enjoys meeting with other Veterans who attend Intouch and meet weekly on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

For more than 30 years, Intouch has offered adults 18 and older a social and recreational environment in addition to providing respite to caregivers. Intouch’s Adaptive Services program provides services based on the individual’s interests, care plan and diagnosis.

In addition, Shirley contacted the team at Jamieson Long & Associates Elder Law Firm. Bill and Shirley met with Elder Law Attorney, Jamie Long, and with Care Advocate, Deb Toal. During their meeting, Shirley learned it was necessary for Bill and Shirley to have a strong durable power of attorney for finances. This would allow the couple to have the flexibility they need to access public benefits in the future. It was also recommended their will be updated as the will was originally created 30 years ago. Shirley and Bill also made the determination they should set up an irrevocable trust in helping to preserve their assets.

Jamie asked Bill and Shirley if either of them had served in the military. Bill had indeed served during the Korean War. Upon establishing, Bill had served 24 hours during wartime, had 90 consecutive days of service and had a discharge other than dishonorable, Jamie informed the couple they could potentially qualify for the Veteran’s Administration Aid & Attendance. Aid & Attendance helps veterans and their spouses or their widows/widowers pay for unreimbursed medical expenses. Shirley was relieved to learn they could apply for Aid & Attendance, and it would help them pay for the care Bill receives from Lighthouse Homecare and InTouch Adult Day Services

“Lighthouse, Intouch and Jamieson Long & Associates helped put my fears to rest,” Shirley said. “During our conversations I learned that many of the services I needed, like Intouch, could be paid for through the Veterans Administration.”

To help others learn more about managing their emergency plans, Intouch Daycare, Lighthouse Homecare and Jamieson Long & Associates will host an informational meeting June 7 at Intouch, 4011 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102, Moline. A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. with talks beginning at 6 p.m.

Reservations are encouraged and may be made by calling Intouch, (309) 797-0200 or Lighthouse Homecare, (309)786-9982.

Often I tease our administrator, Cynthia Bostic, about her “over-preparedness” techniques. Generally if the weather is forecasted to be even slightly bad, she pulls out her “Quality Assurance Snow Prep” packet and goes to work. Her concern for caregivers and clients alike doesn’t stop at simply making sure top care is given. She’ll actually go through the list with the client and the caregiver to make sure all of her questions are answered. Do they have milk? How is their medicine supply? Do they have doctor appointments that need to be rescheduled? Caregivers are reminded to take a change of clothes. Are there batteries in the flashlight? (after this question, it’s usually followed up with… “Now please turn it on and make sure it works”). Her techniques come from years of crisis management, and although I tease her, I really do appreciate her efforts and how deeply she cares for our clients.

A few weeks ago, our clients and care staff REALLY appreciated her efforts. Do you remember that snowstorm we had? As I recall, it was Monday, and Cynthia was busy working the phones preparing for the weatherman’s generally over zealous weather report. Here we go again, I thought. We go through all the effort, and it ends up missing us by a state or two, and all we get is an inch of snow. Many times this is the way it happens.

Snow started falling throughout Monday, and then Tuesday morning arrived. Although miserable midwest weather, it was tolerable, and the kids went to school as planned. As the day progressed, so did the worsening weather. I remember heading into Kiwanis at noon, and saying “It’s not so bad.” However, upon coming out of our meeting, ice pellets bombed me, and the wind was blowing small trees sideways. I jumped on my phone, and the schools were canceling. So much for the missed forecast by the TV guy. It seems this time he was spot on!

Later in the evening, after I settled into a cup of hot cider next to the fire, Cynthia called me. “It seems that one of our caregivers cannot get her car to move down the street.” This was followed up by “How’s that four-wheel drive vehicle running?” She also added, “Mrs. X (name withheld) is at home, where we make her dinner every night and help tuck her into bed. I found someone real close to her home to help with her morning routine, but we really need to get this caregiver over to her home.” The truth is, I jumped at the chance to help out. I did grow up in Montana after all, and I can’t imagine any snow I can’t handle. Cynthia assured me if this one caregiver was taken care of, she would rest much easier, so off I went.

It was like a ghost town driving down River Drive to Davenport. The snow was really piling up. Just north of the Village of East Davenport, I turned off into a side street and engaged the four-wheel drive, barely making it up the hill. There she was, and off we went to Moline, just off of Avenue of the Cities.

After dropping her off, I knew I had two hours to kill before picking her up, so I stopped in at the Firehouse Coffee Shop. Good thing they were open, because nothing else was! I actually sat and talked with the owners until the shift was complete and then I swooped in to pick up the caregiver. The four-wheel drive was truly needed now!

I plowed through the streets without a plow. What fun I remember thinking to myself. I dropped the caregiver off and back home I went. I kept thinking about all the people out there who must take care of others and felt really proud that I could help out. Now to make a really long story short, about 100 yards from my driveway nearly to LeClaire, there was a drift five feet tall. YAHOO I yelled as I plunged into the drift and, well, hmmm, I sorta got stuck. Well no sorta about it. I really got stuck. I crawled out the window and walked to my house. It was a good thing that I had my son and six of his friends over for the night because instead of taking us one hour to dig our way home, it would have taken me many more. The next morning I woke up and we truly were snowed in. I then watched TV and realized how lucky I was to even get home. Today, the real hero’s are people like Cynthia who was overly prepared for a situation that rarely happens. I kept thinking of all those who care for people who cannot care for themselves, the sheriff who was stranded in his patrol car. The fireman who used a snowmobile to go and search for a father of one of my friends and so on… There are many hero’s out there but there is nothing more than these ordinary daily hero’s who think of the things we don’t to help us in ways we need help. Lastly, I thank my staff of caregivers, nurses and staff for all the hard work they do on a daily basis. Without them, we’d be simply ordinary rather than extraordinary. And Cynthia, I’ll never say another word about being prepared, thank you most of all.

Dan Adams
dandadams@gmail.com
563.505.8821 cell

The oldest baby boomers will turn 65 on January 1st. Each and every day of 2011, 10,000 more will turn 65. The 79 million baby boomers make up 26% of our country’s population. As we age, more of us are expressing we want to stay in our homes. Everyone has different family structures and support. Even if you have strong family support, be open to the idea of having others help too. Many people have an initial feeling of “not wanting strangers in the house.” But caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially if the primary caregiver is one person, such as a spouse. Your relationships will be healthier if you are open to the idea of getting help from more than one source.

As you search for a provider of home services, especially personal care and health care, you will probably start getting referrals from full-service agencies to independent providers. Which is the best option? Full service agencies or a private independent person. Using a full service agency can provide prescreened applicants who already have had background checks. Caregivers work for the agency and things like tax issues and billing issues will be much simpler. When you have a private individual, you are responsible for backup coverage in case of illness or sudden terminations. With an agency, if a caregiver is sick, quits or is not working out, a replacement can be rapidly provided.

Here are some reasons for choosing Home Care:

• Home care is delivered at home. When we are not feeling well, most of us ask to be at home. We enjoy the sanctity of our residences and the joy of being with our loved ones.
• Home care keeps families together. This is particularly important in times of illness. The ties of responsibility and caring can be severed by hospitilization.
• Home care prevents or postpones institutionalization.
• Home care promotes healing. There is scientific evidence that many patients heal faster at home.
• Home care is safe. Many risks, such as infection, are eliminated or minimized when care is given at home.
• Home care allows for the maximum amount of freedom for the individual. Patients at home remain as engaged with their usual daily activities as their health permits.
• Home care promotes continuity. The patient’s own physician continues to oversee his or her care.
• Home care is personalized and tailored to the needs of each individual. Patients receive one-on-one care and attention.
• Home care is less expensive than other forms of care, especially lengthy inpatient hospitilization.

Home care is the form of care preferred by the American public.

Home care can prevent rehospitalization and decrease the need for urgent care.

When choosing a care provider agency, here are a few questions to ask:

How do you recruit your caregivers?

Should a scheduling conflict occur, are there trained back-up caregivers?

Are your caregivers bonded and insured?

Are the caregivers employees of the provider and who handles payroll and required taxes for the caregiver?

What type of background checks and screening do you do?

We are lucky here in the Quad Cities to have many FINE home care agencies who provide private duty care. Many of us offer a no commitment free consultation of our services. Please seek us out when you are thinking of future care and planning.

You can find home care resources and other resources by picking up a Quad City Senior Resource guide or visiting www.seniorresourcequadcities.com

Dan Adams
dandadams@gmail.com
563.505.8821 cell

“During the past few years as a Seniors Specialist I have had the opportunity to act as a sounding board for clients who have been thrust into the role of caregiving for a family member or friend. I have listened, mediated and cautiously advised them. I have helped them liquidate assets, market and sell the family home, and often find appropriate placement for their parents and grandparents. It has been my professional persona; my contribution to preserving the dignity of our seniors. But never once did I really understand the magnitude of the emotional impact that the decisions had on those family members, not until the roles were reversed and I was the advisee rather than the advisor. With little warning, my mother had a stroke. Overnight I became a statistic…. one of the 44.4 million Americans acting as a caregiver. It was only then that I began to understand the pain and anguish that my clients had been experiencing. And as with any personal situation, the emotions clouded the facts. I too was faced with problems like:

1. What placement best suits my mom’s physical and mental condition?
2. What can she afford?
3. What do I do with her condo—and a lifetime of possessions?
4. How do I find time to run the errands, take her to the doctor, and visit her in the hospital while still working full time?
5. How do I deal with the guilt of not doing enough?
6. How do I deal with her anger?
7. How do I deal with my anger at her for being so sick?
8. And, lastly, but most importantly how do I stay mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy through this stressful time?

In the days since my mom had her stroke, I have worked through these issues, and found a reasonable solution to most of them. It has not been without sleepless nights, much needed vacation time, the support of friends and family, some soul searching and the realization that I cannot do it all alone.

I have emerged from this journey a more qualified professional, a stronger person foddered by heightened spirituality, and the realization that each healthy day we are given is truly the greatest of all gifts. I also hope that the adversity I have faced has made be a better mother, a more understanding sister, a loyal friend, and most importantly a more loving and patient daughter.”

You have just read the preface from my latest book A Labor of Love; My Personal Journey Through the World of Caregiving. In the book, I talk candidly of my perceptions, insights, and feelings about my mother’s illness and its effects on our relationship. Some sensitive topics addressed are family discord, facility placement, anger and grief, guilt, and spirituality and aging. In addition to my own experiences the book is the result of conversations with other professionals in the senior community, healthcare workers, co-workers, family, friends, and most importantly other caregivers who were also cast in the role of life or death decisions. Although there is much valuable information available on caregiving, my challenge was to keep the book brief enough so that it could be read in one or two sittings. It also hoped that by sharing my story, other caregivers might feel a bit less alone in their own personal journey.

“There are only four kinds of people in the world…
Those who have been caregivers,
Those are currently caregivers,
Those who will be caregivers
Those who will need caregivers.”
……Rosalyn Carter

A Labor of Love is due to be released mid November of this year and will be available at several Quad City locations.

It is an interesting coincidence that November is both National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and National Family Caregivers Month.  Chances are that as we age, we will either become a caregiver for a loved one or will need care ourselves.  We care for spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and friends. The average caregiver provides around four and a half years of care to the individual who is ill. Caring for a person who is at the end of their life and will not recover is one of the most rewarding but also one of the most stressful of human experiences. People can feel intense psychological pain in response to caregiving and grief, and this suffering can go on for months and years.

Caring for a loved one with advanced illness is full of pitfalls and opportunities. The extent to which caregiving is a blessing or a burden depends on many factors.  Among these are the length of an illness, the intensity of the patient’s needs, the nature of the relationship between the patient and caregiver, the use of professional caregivers to supplement the care, and the emotional and physical health of the caregiver.

The optimal length for a period of caregiving appears to be months rather than years.  Most of us can find the inner resources to devote to the needs of a loved one for a distinct period of time.  However, when caregiving responsibilities are considerable and no end to caregiving is in sight, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. Over one third of terminally ill patients have substantial care needs.  Long-term, open-ended caregiving is characteristic in these situations and creates a great deal of stress for the caregiver.  This stress can be emotional, physical, and financial.

Many caregivers forget about their own needs in this process.  They may focus on the patient to the detriment of their own health. Hospice and Palliative Care focus on providing support to the caregiver.  In some situations, it becomes clear that the loved one needs to step out of the caregiver role because it has become too overwhelming for them.  They need to be a wife, rather than a caregiver, in order to care for themselves so they can continue to be available to the patient for emotional support. This is not in any way a failure on their part.  We affirm the care they have given their loved one for so long and support them as they continue to provide love and emotional support for the patient.

Providing a residential hospice facility is another way we are able to offer support as well as an alternative for care for the terminally ill. The facility opened in November of 2005.  Located at Trinity at Terrace Park, it has many amenities to ensure a comfortable, homelike setting for the hospice patient and their loved ones.  As the first hospice in our community, Pathway Hospice opened in 1981 as a residential hospice.  Over the years, the focus of hospice moved toward care of the terminally ill in the home setting, and the need for a residential program declined.  However, many of the societal changes we’ve observed in recent years caused Pathway Hospice to revisit the need for such a program.  For example, patients now live much longer with chronic illnesses such as heart and lung disease or dementia, so caregivers are often frail with health issues of their own.  Women, who historically have provided 75% of care for ill family members, now often work outside the home.  Many adult children leave the community and their parents behind in order to find job opportunities.  For situations such as these, residential hospice provides families with an option where they know their loved one will receive excellent care in a setting where patient comfort and dignity is the focus and where family and friends are welcome to stay with the patient as much as they are able, even around the clock.  If you would like to learn more about the facility, please call Trinity Pathway Hospice at (309)779-7600.

Sandie Nichols is Manager of Palliative Care and Social Services at Trinity Visiting Nurse and Homecare Association

Often we put off decisions that involve facing difficult truths. We are not doing ourselves or our loved ones any favors by not facing our fears and handling tough issues. By planning ahead we provide peace of mind for those closest to us.

Assisting a loved one with their senior years is difficult. Often the individual is in denial about their ability to care for themselves. As a caregiver, you might feel guilty about not being able to care for them anymore and for moving that person out of the home they cherish.

An individual may not think they need help, even though their children or maybe a neighbor is taking care of their home maintenance, driving them to most of their appointments or assisting them with meals or medications. With all of the help they may not even realize they are not as independent as they once were.

Do you know someone who is not able to get out as much anymore? Maybe someone who isn’t eating healthy well-balanced meals? Someone who isn’t steady on their feet as they once were? Someone who misses doctor appointments because they couldn’t get a ride or because they didn’t want to drive in the bad weather?

Someone in these situations is not living the best quality of life that they should. In any of these situations that person is slowly deteriorating, and they probably don’t even realize it. If they don’t get out as much they may become depressed and lonely. If they are not eating properly their overall health will decline. If they are not steady on their feet they may fall and suffer a serious injury which would be particularly damaging if they live alone. If they are missing doctor appointments, they are losing out on needed health care and medication monitoring.

Waiting to make the decision to move to an assisted living facility can be costly; it can cost them their overall health and well-being. An assisted living facility can help that individual maintain or improve their quality of life and that is priceless.

At Courtyard Estates of Walcott we are ready to help you with the tough questions and difficult decisions. Don’t wait, winter is just around the corner with icy roads and power outages, call us to schedule a private tour. 284-4211.

Are you the caregiver of choice this summer? Did you volunteer to help out with your grandchildren this summer while your adult children work?

At first it sounded like a great idea, but now as the dog days of summer approach you realize it is not as easy as you thought.

How hard could this be? They can play outside, ride bikes and go to the park. Oh, but wait a minute. Your daughter-in-law does not allow them to play outside without adult supervision; they can not ride their bikes to the park since the bikes might get stolen and what will they be doing at the park since there is only equipment for preschoolers?

Well if you are in this situation read on!

Grandparents can change simple daily tasks into activities or games – cooking, reading, writing, painting, gardening, or walking. Try this activity or just come up with your own.

Have children plan a meal:

• Sit down with them to show them each step.
• What do we want to eat? Let them pick the food, it may not be your favorite but give it a try. Meal must be cooked at home, no carry out.
• What do need to make this meal? Have them make a list. See what you have at home and what needs to be bought.
• Where do we go shopping? Take the children to the store; give each of them some of the list. Give them coupons to use.
• How do they want to present this meal? Let them set the table, (maybe use the good china), where to eat, and what time. Invite their parents to join you and highlight the activity.
• How to clean up? Who does the dishes, and who takes out the trash, who gets to eat the leftovers?
• This could be a week long project. They will learn the cost of foods, planning, and social skills as well as how to measure, cook and be part of a family. What else could you ask for?

As a grandparent you want to build strong bonds with the children and with a little ingenuity you can. The trick is to involve the children in as many projects as you can, they can be simple, complex, educational (don’t tell them they are learning something), and creative enough to stir their imagination.

The children will have fun doing these projects with you if you are patient, listen to them; let them do the bulk of the work.

Remember, the children’s way may not be the right way or your way but be patient, take time, and cherish the time together. No one said it would be easy but think of the memories you are making and the fun you will have reminiscing about the summer we stayed at Grandma and grandpa’s house. Remember to take pictures.

For more information about the Child Abuse Council’s prevention and education programs, you can visit us at www.childabuseqc.org or contact me at kathyg@childabuse.org.