Dear Caregiver: Take a Moment and Walk with Me

By Karen Seelenbinder

Once my viewpoint becomes their viewpoint
my personal perspective of the situation changes.


The stories in Dear Caregiver: Take a Moment and Walk with Me are based on my personal experiences with Katherine, a woman in her seventies, who lives with the physical and mental disabilities caused by Lewy Body Dementia. During a five-year time period as her caregiver, I recorded each treasured moment within twenty-four hours after each event occurred. Katherines words and expressions remain fresh in my mind despite the passing of the years.


As a new, part-time caregiver for my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimers nearly three years ago, Take a Moment and Walk with Me is a true blessing and inspiration. This book of devotions is an excellent guide for anyone who is taking this journey for the first time. These devotions have made my heart lighter as I start each day wondering what special moment God will bless me with my mother, instead of facing each day with a heavy heart.
-Selena Freeland-

Memories! This book will touch your heart and soul! As a past and current caregiver, these memories bring back so many of my memories! Currently, I am taking care of my dad in his journey through Parkinsons and Dementia. This book has uplifted me to find a special memory every day of this journey. Knowing there is A Bible verse out there to highlight each memory is such a blessing. I encourage all caregivers to let this book lift you up before, during or after your journey. Let these words and Bible verses give you peace, encouragement, and strength.
-Janet Sisko-

My mom has lived with us for 14 years and her mind has been failing her for the past three. As I read Karens devotional, I first realized how every day is written so well that you feel like you are right there with them. Many situations are very similar to what I face with my mom. I am so amazed at how compassionate Karen is and how she has such a sense of how Katherine thinks and feels. She also gives caregivers practical ways to assist and care for our loved ones. This devotional is very helpful and inspirational for any caregiver and the Bible verses give us a glimpse of God in any situation.
-Linda Corner-

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973620037

Karen Seelenbinder

Ever since I was a teen-ager, my dad always said I would be the one who would take care of him when he got old. And his words proved true. Little did I know after 28 years in retail sales and management that I would have the privilege to not only care for my dad but for a lady struggling with Lewy Body Dementia. Working at making Gods word a part of my life, I consciously take the extra step to slide inside the mind of the person I am caring for and feel what they feel. See what they see. And fear what they fear. Once my viewpoint becomes their viewpoint my personal perspective of the situation changes. I understand why they are angry, frightened and disoriented which fills me with a deep sense of compassion and an unusual amount of patience. Living in Ohio, I am a caregiver, a musician, a teacher, a writer, and a gardener.

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 Karen Seelenbinder.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2004-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2003-7 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/05/2018

My Dad Always Said~

770614%20-%20Dear%20Caregiver%20My%20Dad%20%20Always%20Said.JPG

I would be the one who would take care of him when he got old. And his words proved true. Little did I know after 28 years in retail sales and management that I would have the privilege to not only care for my dad but for a lady struggling with Lewy Body Dementia.

Working at making God’s word a part of my life, I consciously take the extra step to slide inside the mind of the person I am caring for and feel what they feel. See what they see. And fear what they fear. Once my viewpoint becomes their viewpoint my personal perspective of the situation changes. I understand why they are angry, frightened and disoriented which fills me with a deep sense of compassion and an unusual amount of patience.

Living in Ohio, I am a caregiver, a musician, a teacher, a writer, and a gardener.

To contact Karen, visit her website: karenseelenbinder.com

From The Hearts Of Caregivers

Memories! This book will touch your heart and soul! As a past and current caregiver, these memories bring back so many of my memories! I have been a caregiver for many years. Starting with all my grandchildren with one of them being autistic. I also cared for my mother through 3 back surgeries, a massive heartache, and her battle with cancer till her final days. Currently, I am taking care of my dad in his journey through Parkinson’s and Dementia. This book has uplifted me to find a special memory every day of these journeys. Knowing there is a Bible verse out there to highlight each memory is such a blessing. I encourage all caregivers to let this book lift you up before, during or after your journey. Let these words and Bible verses give you peace, encouragement, and strength.

~Janet Sisko~

This book of devotions brought me moments of smiles, tears and laughter. Karen has a way with words that bring the reader into Katherine’s home and seeing the role of a sensitive caregiver. It brought back memories of caring for my mother and mother- in-law, who both suffered with Alzheimer’s disease. It takes a special person to care for people with mental and physical disabilities and I applaud those who choose this career path.

~Julie Overmeyer~

As a new, part-time caregiver for my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nearly three years ago, Take a Moment and Walk with Me is a true blessing and inspiration. This book of devotions is an excellent guide for anyone who is taking this journey for the first time. Karen shows she’s an exemplary caregiver willing to share God’s grace and guidance to help anyone get through these difficult days. The devotions have made my heart lighter as I start each day wondering what special moment God will bless me with my mother, instead of facing each day with a heavy heart.

~Selena Freeland~

My mom has lived with us for 14 years and her mind has been failing her for the past three. As I read Karen’s devotional, I first realized how every day is written so well that you feel like you are right there with them. Many situations are very similar to what I face with my mom. I am so amazed at how compassionate Karen is and how she has such a sense of how Katherine thinks and feels. She also gives caregivers practical ways to assist and care for our loved ones. This devotional is very helpful and inspirational for any caregiver and the Bible verses give us a glimpse of God in any situation.

~Linda Corner~

I was a caregiver for my mother-in-law for six years while she lived in an assisted living facility