Don Peck

Care for Caregivers Don Peck 

34 minute video of presentation

Caregiving is a demanding and rewarding experience. Enhancing the well being of both giver and receiver is the ultimate goal. This workshop uses an experiential model to look at 7 domains of well being developed by the Eden Alternative: Identity, Connectedness, Security, Autonomy, Meaning, Growth and Joy.  We use this framework as a new way of looking at Care. Our purpose is to maximize quality of life for both giver and receiver. The intention of this workshop is to inspire us to see with new eyes and listen with new ears so that we can be better at Caring for one another. 

My beloved parents, Leland Eldon and Florence Ruth lived into their 90's. When Mom got sick, Dad needed help taking care of her. He did not have to ask his 4 sons for  help. We "circled the wagons" so to speak, came up with a care plan and embarked on an epic adventure.  This was a journey of more  than 3 years. It turned out to be the perfect opportunity to apply what is being shared in this presentation. It was the ideal situation to maximize well being through the 7 domains. To show Best Practice from the most current research. I got to wear many hats. Getting to serve my parents this way gave incredible meaning, growth and joy. It was the greatest honor of my life to date. 

In the realm of self care here are 10 ideas that I have found to be helpful. If your not taking care of yourself, how well are you going to be able to be of service to anyone else? 

Hat's off to our father Leland Peck who knew what he wanted when his days became numbered. He had discussed everything with us in terms of end of life preparations and we were able fulfill his wishes. Bill Thomas is the pioneering Doctor who founded the Eden Alternative to educate and improve how we care for our Elders.  The Eden Alternative White Paper of the 7 Domains of Well Being is the perfect place to start to understand the domains. Another big acknowledgment goes to G. Allen Power M.D. who wrote; Dementia Beyond Disease and Dementia Beyond Drugs where the 7 Domains are featured prominently. 

For a quick and easy way to grasp what this New Paradigm looks like take a look at this 10 minute video to see the Eden Alternative 7 Domains in action   and see how  Creating New Language is all important to bring about this change. 

The movie Crip Camp-A Disability Revolution  exemplifies what is possible with Culture Change. 

Here are my Book Recommendations that helped me along the way.  You will notice a Frank Ostaseski's book in the mix and I encourage all to listen to the Frank Ostaseski Podcast "Our Tears Water a Heart That Has Been Too Dry" it might make you cry, but in a very life affirming way:)

There can be a positive side of Face Book in that anyone can easily create website and this one is called Molly's Movement. It was started by a dutiful son as he navigated his trials and tribulations supporting his beloved mother. 

Culture Change requires inspired collective action to educate and inform for new ways of living.  After Skool You Tube Big Ideas Illustrated is a great site to visit to get charged up by big ideas colorfully illustrated on a whiteboard.  

This is from a woman who was the Care Partner with her parents whose website  ABeautifulVoice.org I came across and found helpful in my research for this presentation. 

Here is the obituary for my beloved parents Leland Eldon Peck and Florence Ruth Peck  who taught me to be curious and always seek to make life better for everyone. 

This Blog with all the references used in this presentation can be found at https://careforcaregivershth.blogspot.com or  can be texted or emailed by contacting Don at 415-516-0396 or techmediakid@mac.com 

Don Peck is an Educator and Health Coach. He has been a school teacher for over 20 years. Taught Digital Storytelling with At Risk youth. His focus has always been on enhancing well being for everyone. He earned his BA in 1986 from UCSB and his masters from SFSU in education in 2003. Along with his three older brothers and their spouses, Hospice on multiple occasions, many excellent doctors, Nurses,  Therapists and....   formed the Care Team for Florence who lived with dementia and used a wheelchair  for over 3 years.  She passed at home, her 4th and final graduation from Hospice, with family at her side. Leland passed  less than 8 hours before, in the same bed next to his beloved Flo. They were inseparable in life as well as in death.