The “resources” that best lower my personal stress and get me “away’ from the repetition, sadness and isolation I often feel care-giving my mom who’s a “shut-in” include these: listening to certain music I love and reading books I find up-lifting.

I’m reading one right now about a man who’s shared his love of books with his 73-year-old mom his whole life. When mom is diagnosed with cancer and needs companionship during chemo, the son and she form a book club and start a new path in their life together. Sometimes poignant stories of others who find special ways to “give and get” help me: I get new ideas and, oddly, feel less alone.

Similarly with classic oldies I’ve loved, i put on my headphones and rock n’ bob around for a while in my room. Sometimes I even blast it out and dance in front of my mom. The joy of the songs and even the movement are a life-saver, especially since I can’t leave my mom alone.

Ps the book is called: ‘the end of your life book club” by Will Schwalbe.

If anyone has some good books to recommend or other tips, I’d love to hear them!!