Refresh your Spirit; Enjoy Local Arts

• Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article46054920.html#storylink=cpy

Many people look to December to enjoy rich arts and crafts and the Triangle area does not disappoint. Whether you are looking to be inspired by the creative spirit, or find a unique gift; here are 4 ways you can get out; get refreshed and see something beautiful.

All events are free

Annual Juried Photographic Exhibit

Cary Senior Center in Cary is pleased to hold their

8th Annual Open Juried Photographic Exhibition. caryphotographicartists.org

November 30-December 18, 2015

Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm

120 Maury Odell Place

Cary, NC 27513

For more info (919) 469-4081

Annual St. Nicholas European Christmas Market

Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church

Fri 12/4/15 at 7pm-9pm 
Sat 12/5/15 at 10am-3pm 

www.facebook.com/saintnicholasmarket

2510 Piney Plains Road

Cary, NC 27511

For more info (919) 851-9266

Holiday and Winter Art Exhibit and Silent Auction

Apex Chamber of Commerce

A very special exhibit of artwork for the winter and holiday seasons. Forms for submitting silent auction bids on the works are available at the site.

November 28 – December 7, 2015

220 N. Salem St. Apex, NC 27502For more info (919) 362-6456

Boylan Heights ArtWalk 

Admire holiday decorations and shop for artwork and handmade crafts as you stroll through historic Boylan Heights.

Meet neighbors on their porches.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Noon-5pm South Boylan Ave between Hillsborough Street and Western Boulevard, Raleigh, NC

boylanheights.org

If you need assistance to bring a loved one to these or any holiday events, please give us a call. We can arrange something for a minimum of two hours of care. Office: 919 724-4297

6 Ways to Help a Male Caregiver

Male caregivers? Doesn't most caregiving in a family fall on the women? Aren't they the ones who coordinate care, or provide the day-to-day support for ailing loved ones?

Traditionally, yes, but in a survey reported in the October/November issue of AARP, a full 40% of family caregivers are men. 50% of all family caregivers work full-time. Chances are you know a friend, co-worker, or family member who leads in the hard work of making sure their parent, spouse, or adult child is well-cared for.

But men do not traditionally have a social network of support and tend to labor alone.
Here are 6 ways you can support and encourage a male caregiver.

1. Be a Buddy.

Day-to-day caregiving can isolate even the most well-connected healthy adult. Men particularly are inclined NOT to ask for help or admit to the loneliness. Give that man a call, stop in for a visit, buy him a beer. Support is as important to a man as it is to a woman.

2. Feed Him

• Yes, bring him a home-cooked meal if you can, but a favorite take-out meal or gift-certificate to a favorite eatery will be welcome as well.

3. Offer to do a Specific Chore.

• Better yet, just do it. Take his over-due books back to the library. Get his oil changed in his car. Offer to pick up the kids from after-school events. Ignore his insistence that "it isn't necessary."

4. Offer a Break.

• Come by and offer to stay in the house while he goes and does errands or takes a break, without worrying what will happen when he is gone.

5. Hire a Housekeeping Service

• Yes, he might want help cleaning the house but might feel embarrassed if someone he knows came in and saw the need. Professional help doesn't judge.

6. Help Celebrate the Holidays.

• Offer to do a holiday chore that he would like to do but, like everyone, finds difficult in the time-crunched life of a care-giver. Can you put up Christmas lights? Not every man hates to shop; offer to help find, wrap, or send gifts. Hang a fresh wreath on the door.

These are just some ideas to help you acknowledge the man who shoulders the care of his loved ones.
Would love to hear how you support and celebrate those who care.

Alzheimers Male Caregiver Support Group

Men handle loss and sharing differently from women. Some don't share at all; some don't believe in sharing publicly. Our cultures (both eastern and western) expect men to be strong, figure things out by themselves, "be a rock" as some would say.

Truth is, as human beings (irrespective of gender), we have a tremendous need to have someone to talk to, rather, someone to listen to our story, interspersed with times when we want to be left alone. Depending on the "season of life" that you're in at any given moment, those times and needs vary.

The most important thing is to become aware of your needs, then accept them with kindness to yourself, and finally maybe do something about it.

When you do something for someone else (vs asking what's in it for me), you feel "wealthy"/"rich"; life becomes bigger than your own scarcities & problems; it becomes meaningful.

Mike Caldwell of Alzheimers Association hosts a Male Caregiver Experience Support Group at WakeMed Cary Hospital on the second Friday of each month. He's a veteran, has been a Caregiver for his mother, has experienced loss, and now enjoys being there for others who have and are walking the path of loss.

Remember, loss is not only about death; it can be slowly losing someone you love to Alzherimers or another form of dementia, other sicknesses, losing a spouse through divorce, losing a job, being diagnosed with a major illness yourself, and so on.

Reach out to Mike to learn more, visit one of his sessions, and experience how meaningful it can be to support someone else: 314.304.1635.