There are not enough hours in the day – a familiar phrase I mutter to myself while trying to accomplish the items on my ever-expanding to-do list. That phrase may really be true for those caring for a family member with disabilities.
Although I haven’t found a way to add hours to my day, I have found ways to extend the time available for learning new things. I’ve discovered that I can listen to podcasts and books while doing tasks that require my physical -but not necessarily my mental – presence.
I listen to podcasts when I’m running, doing laundry or cooking, or while I’m wandering around Trader Joe’s picking up groceries. I listen while I’m driving, though my one-mile commute doesn’t give me tons of time to listen.
Lately I’ve been sampling podcasts about caregiving for people with dementia. Though most of the podcasts have proven to be slightly dry and a little dull, I have found some that give me new information about dementia or about caregiving, or that just give me the assurance that I’m not alone in helping to care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
Click here for a list of some podcasts you might want to try:
**All are updated regularly, except:
Dementia Matters, which updates every two weeks, and
OMG! I’m Getting Older and so Is My Mother, which updates every Monday
All are recommended for caregivers and Dementia Matters is also recommended for advocates.