Encore Management Home

Esther Koch

Turning 65?

Open Enrollment

Medicare Rx

Why Spend More On Drugs?

Medicare Rx Podcast

Bloomberg

Diabetes Health

eMaxHealth

Under-Used Resource

Rx Plan Solution

Web-Savvy Children

Make an Informed Choice

Seniors Need Help

Encore Life Series

Speaker Series

Seminar Series

Book Series

Podcasts Series

Corporate Services

Eldercare Services

Moments of Joy

Kiss The Joy

A Daughter's Tribute

Daily Word

Unity Magazine

Unity.FM

Mother's Day

Father's Day

Valentine's Day Podcast

Valentine I Love You

Holiday Joy Podcast

Holiday Moments of Joy

Holidays w/Aging Parents

Holiday Stress Relief

Planning Ahead

UCLA Magazine

Easter Visits

Holiday Visits

What to Plan For

Dow Jones Newswire

Finances

Oakland Tribune

Tax Time

Long Term Care

Resources

Geriatric Care Managers

GCM Article

Local Answer

Little Used Resource

White House Conference

Conference on Aging

Profile in Wellness

Conferences

FPA

SHRM

SHRM Article

AICPA

Living Longer Forum

Media Articles

Media Coverage

Caregivershome.com

Examiner

HealthDay

Washington Post

InteractiveDad.com

Chicago Heights Star

SF Examiner

Palo Alto Weekly

SF Business Times

Press Releases

Press Photos

Videos

Podcasts

Encore Management

 

Aging Advisory Services


 
MOMENTS OF JOY

 


Valentine I Love You

Elder Care Expert Shows Boomers How To Relieve Caregiver Stress:
Use Valentine's Day To Say I Love You To Aging Parents

Elder care expert Esther Koch provides insight into how Boomers can use Valentine's Day to express sentiments of love to their aging parents. It is the perfect stress reliever from the challenges of elder caregiving and in the process creates Moments of Joy, those memories that will last a lifetime.

San Mateo, CA (PRWEB) February 5, 2008 -- Valentine's Day is the perfect day for Boomers to express sentiments of love to their aging parents. "Change the focus of elder care responsibilities on Valentine's Day from all that needs to be done for your parent to all the ways to express your love to your parent. It is the best caregiver stress reliever you will find", states elder care expert Esther Koch. Whether from son or daughter to mother or father, Valentine's Day provides an opportunity to say "I Love You" in a variety of ways. "These are the memories, that I call Moments of Joy, that will last a lifetime", says Koch.

Select a Valentine's Day card with a message that truly reflects you and your feelings. Find an inspirational quote or poem or buy a blank card and personally write your message of love. Have a second copy of whatever card you chose. Read the message out loud to your parent not only on Valentine's Day, but other days as well. "Your parent will truly be touched by this", says Koch.

Think about why you are grateful they are your parent and how they bless your life - then tell them. Koch recommends, "When you say I Love You, say it slowly while looking directly into their eyes and holding their hand. Then give them a kiss and a heartfelt hug."

Make time for a special one-on-one. Go for a walk or a drive, or have a meal together - maybe a brunch, an afternoon tea or make them one of your favorite childhood dishes. If you are a long-distance caregiver make sure your parent knows you will have that special Valentine's Day celebration on your next visit.

"If you have concerns about your parent's health and well being that you have not yet voiced, Valentine's Day can be the perfect day to bring them up", says Koch. When these conversations come from a place of love and compassion, your parents are likely to be more open to them.

"The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. As scarce a commodity for you, it is even more scarce for your parents", emphasizes Koch.

You can read Esther Koch's article, "Kiss the Joy as It Flies By", on Moments of Joy with her mother at http://www.encoremgmt.com/momentsofjoy/kissthejoy.html.
 
"May your life be filled with no regrets; may you see the extraordinary in the ordinary; and may someone be there to brighten your world as you age."     Esther Koch

About Esther Koch and Encore Management

Esther Koch is a gerontologist and elder care advisor. Her firm, Encore Management, provides personal and corporate advisory services and seminars that assist Boomers with the range of issues associated with caring for aging parents and their own aging. Her media interviews and articles have appeared on television, radio and in print. For more information about Esther Koch and Encore Management visit www.encoremgmt.com.

 


ENCORE MANAGEMENT

(707) 937-9025