I presented a “Take Care of Yourself: Seven Sustainable Skills for the Long-Term Care Journey” 60-minute workshop to the Brooksby Village Caregivers’ Support Group yesterday. The group of six and their two group leaders learned and experienced the Seven Sustainable Skills Song & Dance, a 2-minute breathing break, and a 5-minute guided meditation on the Seven Sustainable Skills self-care themes. We explored the experience of being at rest, with no interruptions. The group members reported feeling at peace, calm, relaxed.
We also discussed the Wellness Wheel for Dementia Caregivers, a visual that I developed based on my reading of the dementia caregiver wellness literature. It highlights five wellness activities that help dementia and other long-term caregivers: Wellness Education, Skill Training, Coaching, Support Group, and Peer Networking.
Group members’ feedback indicated that they most liked: meditation, concentration and change of thought, the seven steps, breathing, the community spirit, guided meditation combined with the yoga/dance, a feeling of peace, clear and slow direction for each pose, moved at a pace with participants.
Moving forward with a listening heart,
vision, inquiry, and action,
~ Mary