Take Care! With Kari Berit

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Kari Berit


“Can We Go Home Again?”
I love holiday greetings! All of them. However they show up–in pictures, form or personal letters, cards–it doesn’t matter. I relish reading them over this beautiful and sometimes overwhelming time of year.
For the first time, a second cousin of mine wrote a Christmas letter. I want to share with you her journey through a “midlife crisis”:
During the Fall I started ruminating over my past and realized, “I’m having my midlife crisis!” I guess everyone has to have a midlife review but I seriously hope it’s my three-quarter life review because I really don’t want to live to be 114 years old. To help myself resolve some things I booked a flight to San Diego, where I spend most of my young life. I didn’t know whether I would find that I still belonged there or whether I was going to say good-bye. All I knew was that I had to go. I went to all the houses where I had lived, visited all the schools and colleges. I reconnected with two friends from elementary school, had lunch with the neighbors from the last place I lived, who even arranged for me to see my last home in San Diego. I got to see what they had done with the house and see how trees that I had planted had grown in the last 30 years. I spent an afternoon with my cousin, and we looked at pictures and told stories and laughed and cried. I still have not processed all the feelings from my trip but I feel a lot better and happier.
Thank you my dear cousin. Your words touched my heart.
Share your story today. Take a listen to my radio show with Dr. Verlyn Anderson (click on the radio icon) and consider recording your stories over the holidays. They make touching, one-of-a-kind gifts.

Kari Berit

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kari Berit quoted in Care.com article

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Kari Berit

Seniors: 6 Traits Every Caregiver Should Have

You’ve narrowed down your search to a few wonderful people, but still aren’t quite sure who the right one is. We talked with experts to get the six qualities your caregiver should have.

Debby Bitticks’ father-in-law was in a bad caregiver situation until she and her husband rescued him and brought him home. Now Bitticks, producer of the documentary Saving Our Parents, is sharing her knowledge with the world. Her two favorite traits: Kindness and compassion. “This lets the person feel safe and understood by the caregiver,” Bitticks says. “It protects a person’s dignity.”

Here are six other characteristics to look for:

  • Willing to sit still. “A caregiver has to just ‘be’ sometimes, just sit and touch the older person’s hand,” says Kari Berit, author of The Unexpected Caregiver: How Boomers Can Keep Mom & Dad Active, Safe and Independent. “They shouldn’t feel like they have to fix something all the time. Sometimes, they just get to know the older person’s history.”
  • Really, really flexible. “If you or the next shift is running behind, would that be a problem for them?” says registered nurse Diane Carbo, founder of aginghomehealthcare.com. “There are many elderly who are confused and cannot be left alone for even a few minutes. A gap in the schedule could mean someone with dementia leaving the stove on or a diabetic eating the wrong type of food. There are many more stories of individuals calling9-1-1 for help because they were left alone, then knocking on neighbors’ doors, frightened and lost.”
  • Pays attention. The doctor isn’t seeing the older person every day, so it’s often the caregiver that has to notice changing skin color, perhaps, or facial expressions, or how much food she’s eating. Even if you’ve found someone who doesn’t have medical training, “observing changes and getting the care recipient seen by a physician early can avoid serious illness, and helps keep the recipient in optimal health,” says Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN, GCM, owner of Visiting Angels, a network of homecare agencies in Ann Arbor, Mich.
  • Isn’t afraid to sing. In other words, are they comfortable stepping out of their shell? “You have to get out of your own self and your own ego, and do things you are uncomfortable doing,” Berit says. “For example, you might take them out to a restaurant and they are a sloppy eater. You have to let go of that. It is what it is.”
  • Drama-free. You know that person who always seems to have something going wrong in their life? She’s not the ideal person to care for your mom or dad. “There is absolutely no way the caregiver should bring their problems and drama to their care giving,” Tarach-Ritchey says. There’s a powerful reason why: “A caregiver who spends too much timetalking about their personal issues and challenges adds to the emotional burdenof theolder adult who may feel compelled to help them,” says Diane Keefe, former president of A Plus Aging Advantage, a geriatric care company.
  • Similar hobbies. Is your dad a NASCAR fan? How perfect would it be if the caregiver is, too? We know that can’t always happen in a perfect world, but finding a commonality will make the process much, much easier.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Watch Kari Berit’s interview on KARE-11 Showcase Minnesota

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Kari Berit

 

http://www.showcaseminnesota.com/show/client_article.aspx?storyid=884305

November is National Family Caregiving Month and Kari Berit is spreading the word that America needs to discuss caregiving. More than 65 million people are caregivers in America. According to new research by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and ComPsych Corporation, younger Baby Boomers are carrying the largest burden of family care responsibilities, with more than half saying they’ve taken time off from work due to their caregiving responsibilities. The purpose of the month is to raise awareness of family caregivers, to celebrate the efforts of caregivers, educate caregivers, and increase support for family caregivers. Berit will speak on the topic of caregiving and about her book, The Unexpected Caregiver: How Boomer Can Keep Mom and Dad Active, Safe, and Independence Tuesday, November 23 on Showcase Minnesota at 10 am.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

National Family Caregivers Month

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Kari Berit

Hi all,

November is National Family Caregivers month and last Tuesday Kari Berit as well as representatives from SarahCare Adult Day Center, National Family Caregiver Association and Crest View Senior Communities came together to give out information.  We had a booth at the IDS Center in Minneapolis. Here are some photos from the event.

If you have any questions go to www.KariBerit.com.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“Kari’s Brain Class Challenges”

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Kari Berit

The goal of my brain classes seemed simple: look at the five areas of brain health, brainstorm what you’re currently doing well, what you’d like to add/change and how you’re going to support those changes.

It always seems easier in theory.

Then I went to an old friends’ website (Barbara Sher) and was struck by how one of her four principles to “getting everything you want” so aptly fits with our brain challenge: “Isolation is the dream killer, not your attitude.” In other words, simply thinking positive can not replace encouragement, accountability and support.

So get a buddy. Someone you trust and tell them what you’re trying to do. Check in once a week and celebrate the changes you’re making (even the small, itty bitty ones).

One of my brain health changes is to add two pieces of fruit into my daily diet. Seems simple, but I forget. So now I announce to my housemates when I’m cutting up fruit or eating a banana. I make a conscious effort to seek out support.

You’re in this for the long haul. Don’t get discouraged. Let me hear from you.

P.S. If you need help to get out of ruts and think more creatively, I highly recommend the Mental Fitness card deck. This tool will help you open your creative brain and support your brain health. It is one of the best tools I know of.

Be sure to tune into Kare 11 on Tuesday, November 23 on Showcase Minnesota.  I will be discussing National Family Caregivers Month.

Posted in Aging, Brain Fitness, Communication, Distance Caregiving | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Your Brain: Choose to Shift Priorities

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Kari Berit

November is National Family Caregivers Month.  Caregiving means taking care of others but it also means taking care of ourselves.  Here are a few tips from caregiving expert Kari Berit about how to take care of your brain as you age.
“This is not easy and it is not a “quick fix.” Says Dr. Paul Nussbaum, author of Save Your Brain (Amazon.com). I know Paul’s integrity and dedication to bringing brain fitness to the forefront of all our agendas. It’s time to dive in. You’re in it for the long haul…so prepare yourself for setbacks and slow, steady progress. Journal about the changes you’re feeling and remember, with any challenge, put yourself on the gentle cycle.
Choose one of two changes you’ll make in these five areas. They don’t have to be huge shifts. If you have to, brainstorm first, then whittle your choices down to two. (I’ve provided examples after each category):
1.    Mental Stimulation (I will add Sudoku in the morning and practice piano in the afternoon)
2.    Nutrition (I will add two fruits to my daily intake and increase my fish intake to three times/week)
3.    Physical Activity (I will power walk four times a week for 40 minutes and lift weights 3 times a week for 15)
4.    Spirituality (I will increase my meditation to 3 times a week starting with 10 minutes and attend a church gathering 2 Sunday’s/month)
5.    Socialization (I will join a monthly book club and monthly line-dancing group)
With my next blog, I’ll share my challenges!
Kari Berit’s goal is to change the paradigm of aging and caregiving. Berit holds a BA in Psychology and Norwegian from St. Olaf College and a Master’s Degree in Continuing and Vocational Education from University of Wisconsin, Madison. Berit is an inspiring presenter and she uses her expertise to help Baby Boomers discover the skills and commitment needed to become better caregivers to their loved ones. Berit spent 13 years as a resident manager, director, dementia care specialist and assisted living manager in senior housing facilities. Kari is the author of two books, The Unexpected Caregiver and Mental Fitness Guide, as well as the host of “Unexpected Caregiver” radio show.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“KARI BERIT TO PRESENT CAREGIVING LECTURE AT THE SECOND ANNUAL AGING JOURNEY INFORMATION SERIES”

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Kari Berit

Kari Berit, author of The Unexpected Caregiver, will host an aging and caregiving seminar at Northfield Senior Center on November 6, December 1, January 8, and February 5 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Minneapolis, Minn. – Kari Berit knows a secret.  We all have doubts and questions about taking care of our loved ones.   Kari will be hosting a caregiving lecture entitled “One Small Step, One Giant Leap – What’s In It For Me?” to address these issues.  Her purpose is to guide listeners through the first steps of aging and caregiving. She will provide information about accepting change in a loved one, creating new holiday traditions, and understanding resources available to make a caregiving journey easier.

“I am an educator and also a shoulder to lean on in times of stress and heartache,” said Berit.  “The class is open to those who have questions about caregiving.”

In 1996, Kari Berit launched Age In Motion with the goal of reaching people who work with older adults as well as older adults themselves.  She works to instill in her audiences that aging is not inherently a negative stage of life.  In 2005, Kari published the mental training guide and in 2006, she wrote The Unexpected Caregiver about long-term issues of caregiving for one’s parent.

The Aging Journey Information series is free to the public.

For more information go to www.KariBerit.com.

About Kari Berit:

An inspiring presenter, Kari Berit has the unique ability to reach individuals with a timely and much-needed message: Life, at any age, is about living fully engaged. Today, under the twin banners of Age In Motionâ„¢ and Act Your Smartsâ„¢, she uses her expertise to help Boomers discover the skills and the commitment needed to become better caregivers to their parents – and better adults themselves. Kari Berit has a BA in Psychology and Norwegian from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, a Master’s Degree in Continuing and Vocational Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and nearly 20 years of experience designing and teaching programs for older adults.

# # #

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“SAINT OLAF ALUMNAE KARI BERIT TO PRESENT AT CHAPEL SERIES”

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Kari Berit

Berit will discuss caregiving, aging and the increased need for families to provide care at Boe Memorial Chapel on November 4 at 11 a.m.

Minneapolis, Minn.- November is National Family Caregiving Month and Kari Berit is spreading the word that America needs to discuss caregiving.  More than 65 million people are caregivers in America. The purpose of the month is to raise awareness of family caregivers, to celebrate the efforts of caregivers, educate caregivers, and increase support for family caregivers.

Berit will speak on the topic of caregiving and about her book, The Unexpected Caregiver: How Boomer Can Keep Mom and Dad Active, Safe, and Independent.

“I am an educator and also a shoulder to lean on in times of stress and heartache,” said Berit.  “The class is open to those who have questions about caregiving.”

In 1996, Kari Berit launched Age In Motion with the goal of reaching people who work with older adults as well as older adults themselves.  She works to instill in her audiences that aging is not inherently a negative stage of life.  In 2005, Kari published the mental training guide and in 2006, she wrote The Unexpected Caregiver about long-term issues of caregiving for one’s parent.

For more information, go to www.KariBerit.com.

About Kari Berit:

An inspiring presenter, Kari Berit has the unique ability to reach individuals with a timely and much-needed message: Life, at any age, is about living fully engaged. Today, under the twin banners of Age In Motionâ„¢ and Act Your Smartsâ„¢, she uses her expertise to help Boomers discover the skills and the commitment needed to become better caregivers to their parents – and better adults themselves. Kari Berit has a BA in Psychology and Norwegian from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, a Master’s Degree in Continuing and Vocational Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and nearly 20 years of experience designing and teaching programs for older adults.

# # #

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Introducing Kari Berit

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Kari Berit

Kari Berit Educates, Entertains and Guides Caregivers

Caregiving disrupts our life. It changes how we think, how attentive we are at work, how we make financial decisions and how we feel about ourselves. It’s a topic we sweep under the rug because it can bring up a whole boatload of unresolved issues. And who wants to start that conversation?

Kari Berit does. And she is the only one who does so with her unique combination of energy, love and 20 years of both professional and personal experience.

Clients rave about Kari’s ability to disarm audience members so that they’re ready to receive advice and tools to become smarter caregivers. Book Kari and your attendees will leave feeling SANE—Supported, Appreciated, Not Guilty and Energized. Kari is one of the few people who can talk about such a weighty subject with such levity, honesty and facts. She connects immediately with audience members, teaches through stories and elicits participation.

Posted in Aging, Speaking | Leave a comment