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In most settings, caregivers know a lot about their clients'/patients’ illness(es), but what about their wellness? That is, the parts of them that remains well and functioning despite not having perfect physical or mental health. Our medical system emphasizes a focus on illness, with wellness a very much trailing concern -- if it makes it onto the radar at all!
At Caring Companion Connections, we very much focus on enhancing our clients’ wellness -- we don't just help them manage their problems! What all that means exactly will take some time and discussion between us over time as this blog unfolds. But I'd like to start with a wonderful example of enhanced wellness that happened between one of our caregivers and clients a few months ago.
Here's another look at wellness, and a good example of how we all can adopt a wellness practice despite many illnesses or disabilities. Also the mysterious -- but clearly present -- relationship between giving selflessly, having a sense of purpose and increased health and wellbeing.
Research shows that people enhance their quality of life enormously by being altruistic; that is, giving with no expectation of receiving something in return. Note that a restored sense of purpose and demonstration that the person can still make a difference are key (fascinating article about it from CNN here). Also note that giving money is not discussed as part of this equation. (Unless it's enough to make a clear and lasting difference, I think money -- though important to give -- does not result in as much of this type of bang for the buck – pun intended.)
Prior to beginning services for clients, we sign a contact with families so that they know exactly what we are providing, exactly what they can expect from us, and what we need from them. The Services Agreement is nothing more than a personalized version of our basic services, terms, and conditions in the document below. We review these line by line with families before we sign contracts, to be sure we answer any questions.
No, I'm not going all political here! 
I'm referring to the civilized tradition of people sitting down and taking tea with one another. Sometimes, we're so busy doing trying to squeeze in a little more housework, errand running, organizing, and on and on (and on!), that we forget the importance of taking a little sit-down with the elder we’re caring form.
I encourage our caregivers to establish a tradition with clients that a certain time is for sharing a cup together. They make it special for both of them: nice dishware, a little music. No agenda, no rush: just taking a spot of tea (or coffee, or whatever is preferred). Talking, listening, slowing down, unwinding, just being together.
Many people get the urge to plant something come this time of year. To some of us it may not matter WHAT (flower, vegetable, herb, etc), as long as we're playing in the dirt and growing things. I had my first garden at 4 years old (taught by my grandfather), and it's blossomed (pun intended) to the point that this year we'll have nearly 4000 sq ft in agricultural use, mostly for raising food. I plan on gardening in whatever way possible until I'm ready to be planted!
It's very likely that some of our clients feel strongly this way, too. In my eyes, these feelings are a sign of underlying wellness and an innate instinct toward better health. Eminent biologist E.O. Wilson calls our natural longing for contact with other forms of natural life "biophilia;" it is an aspect of our wellbeing to be drawn to life this way. As caregivers, we can help nurture our elders' need to make this type of contact by helping them get their hands a little dirty.
