CaringBridge Planner Makes it Easy to Request and Accept Offers of Help
Patricia McMorrow | 04.07.20
During a health journey, patients and caregivers almost always need help, and family and friends would do almost anything to help. But human nature and feeling overwhelmed often make it hard for those in the thick of things ask for help. And it can be tricky for those wanting to help to know what is actually helpful.
In fact, in a recent survey of patients and caregivers using CaringBridge, 53% of those who responded said they could use help with food, chores, transportation and finances, but they very seldom asked. This simply should not be true … but from experience you are likely nodding in agreement.
With this in mind, the CaringBridge Planner has been newly organized and designed to bridge the gaps. With input from people like you, who have been on the receiving and giving ends of help, the Planner simplifies the process of making and accepting requests.
Patients and caregivers have been using the Planner to schedule transport to doctor appointments, coordinate grocery and/or meal delivery, arrange childcare, take care of pets, chores and errands, and even set up good times to stop by and say hello. Some families also are using it as a handy place for medication reminders.
For more details on how the Planner works, watch this 2-minute video or click the Ways to Help or Planner icons on the homepage of a CaringBridge site you update or follow.
With the goal for CaringBridge to always be as useful as possible, you also may be able to link or contribute to GoFundMe campaigns from the Ways to Help page.
Start a CaringBridge Site
When you’re going through a health journey, you have a lot on your plate. CaringBridge replaces the time-consuming task of sharing your health news over and over. It’s a free, easy to use online journal for sharing health information with your family and friends.
Don’t go through your health journey alone.
You can stay connected to friends and family, plan and coordinate meals, and experience love from any distance.
All of this is ready for you when you start your personal CaringBridge site, which is completely free of charge, ad-free, private and secure. Don’t spend another minute alone!
Can you restrict the visibility of the planner to a chosen group of people? Thanks!
One of the volunteers needs to change her “accepted request” so the date/time can be freed up. How do I or the volunteer do this? thank you.
Im having a hard time useing the planner from my phone. Is it something that has to be done on a desk or laptop?
Hi my name is Charles I am the caregiver for my wife Iris. This is our second go-round with chemotherapy for my wife for fallopian tube cancer she went through the first round like a champ and did quite well with it lost your hair. While doing the maintenance program to ward off the cancer unfortunately there was a a side effect which affected her brain. I don’t really want to get this graphic but my wife an amazing woman who works very hard. We have been fighting this for almost 3 years now. And then we had to come off of the drugs and now just recently the cancer has started to come back and so we’ve got to go with another round of chemo. Unfortunately she has not worked since August. However she’s now on disability. I’m having to helper a lot to get to her appointments and this is no joke. This has been a very challenging time. I try to keep my self well through this journey. The financial burden has been enormous. I am shocked that I just deal with this and do whatever I can to move forward. We have to research the drugs that that they are giving her. Anyway I am just doing whatever I can to be the best most positive husband for her.
I am one of the people my friend with cancer has authorized to update her journal when she needs that support. I am trying to do that now, but don’t see a link within journal to allow me to update it. Any ideas?
No one should take a brave cancer journey alone. In the sixties we could help just by sitting next to our childhood family friend and watching TV at their house. The pandemic keeps a family’s neighborhood friends and their kids away, so the wife in this case gave Shamel Pool senior friends a chance to try and share square chi with her husband-one who is unknown to many of us, on this internet avenue. Here’s to laughs on the videos on the internet connecting us all. Modern medicine and old fashioned medicine join in to your “family will de-cap the big C” fight.
Tim. Tadlock
Iam a caregiver working in the homes of the ederly I come to work every day because I care about the ederly and there needs before covi 19 I was saving some money to get my teeth fixed but i have had to use most of what i saved to live on and now i dont have enough to get my teeth fixed i am not asking for a handout I just need some help financially to get it done
Hello how are you? My name is Lori ok my dad got really sick about 3 years .I had to quit my job. Because he needs care . I almost lost him . Its been a real struggle with pay rent and financial stress.my dad try to keep up the rent n car insurance. Now our car needs work to thats more money.were in a hard placeright now I tried asking n getting paid for being a care giver I get runaround.thank you
Love you Marilyn ?
this is too complicated. why don’t you start with a blank composition that the submitter can writ in what they like to th e sic or dying love-onez? very very complicated I wilprobbly never use its willsned food or flowers instead awful sites. thesis the second time mamtyrin to send something to a friend oof they have not already passed away. you paragraph s explanation are tong just let us get n we know why we are concerned and wiring and why thepeson needs our support; shortn it llllplease! I am not editing I am tired of allt hes e complications. elizabeth enssofipeld yuk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im in a financial mess from medical bills following back surgery in September & husband also being off past 5wks with gout & broken wrist, hospital stay for sepsis. Now they are testing him for Lupus & rheumatoid arthritis. I haven’t been able to work all year with this herniated disk, being put-off several months with MRI & Neurologist appointments, due to Covid restrictions. We were behind on medical bills already with my Lymphoma & Bone Marrow Cancer & Chemo treatments & his hospital stay last time in Icu with Ventillator. We are fighting for disability & being turned in for poor credit at every turn. Really what I am worried most about is owing over $600 for my health insurance that I haven’t been able to pay., and not being able to fill 2 of my medications for depression that I am out of. My car insurance is cancelling me in 2weeks on a financed car i can’t pay for. We have been to food banks past couple months & recieved a little extra meat for the freezer & dog food from Yalladerity.com. We have borrowed from several family & friends to make earlier due car payments & partial vehicle insurance payments. We are just overwhelmed & helpless until he goes back to work in a couple weeks & finally gets a check sometime a week or 2 later. We had Salvation Army pay electric last month & borrowed to pay gas & water bills. Then here we are with water bill paid overdue after borrowing that. Cant pay electric or gas bill that are due this next week. I don’t know where to turn for help. I hate even asking, but we are well past our last resort. We have hocked jewelry & guns for 20% what they are worth. I pray day & night for so many things, I can’t keep up. Now isn’t the time to abruptly stop my depression medications, especially since it causes suicidal ideation to stop like that. I’m not suicidal at all, but I am becoming more emotional & hopeless that we can even live over the winter. I have been an RN since 1991 & already surrendered my license almost 5years ago during the Cancer treatments. I have helped elderly in their homes a few years since then, until I hurt my back this year. I pray that there is someone who can help with my meds asap $85 & 2 utilities $120 approximate total. Maybe make a partial health insurance payment so they don’t cancel me? I can attach pictures of any bills that I can get assistance with upon request. Please help me pray for my disability acceptance, and for both of our healths, and pray he can even return to his current job of strenuous heavy lifting after getting healed up. God Bless you for praying for us. Stay safe out there. All lives matter!!
Quinn and I are sending all the prayers and love we can and we can’t wait to see you in the water again! Xxoo
October 24, 2020Dear loved ones,Words can not describe just how grateful John and I are for the multitude of prayers, well wishes, concern and offers to help us navigate this challenging time. Still, we are led to rely upon our faith and do receive victory, as is written in Psalm 5:12 “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”Our Johnnie-Bear is being protected, held up high, and is healing miraculously.From time to time, I will enter updates as I learn about his recovery, and share them on this site. Feel free to add any posts of your own, and just know that he is just today, realizing the breadth of God’s love formulated from all the prayers for him and those angels doing so many things on his behalf,. John is aware of all that is being done to assist his duties with: the business managing of the family owned, San Jose office building, his Cambodia Academy elementary school, his personal business matters, his membership role with San Mateo Rotary, (a word he was trying to relearn to articulate tonight), his weekly special times with his friends, cardplaying buddies, arms interests friendships, and of course, his duties to his family.His memories are returning impressively quickly, over the past 2 days. It is astonishing, but not with wonder, as during the first day visit to ICU at SF General, I brought along our loving friend, Fr. Moses Khisa, (here, in U.S. 1 year…from Kenya, and who hikes frequently with John). With almost every terrifying piece of medical equipment possible attached to John, notwithstanding the huge, fresh scar around the left side of his head, Fr. Moses just blurted out: “He’ll be fine.” Golly… such comforting and such TRUE words I’ve rarely heard in life :-D……… Today’s Update: ……..After 10 days of horrible suffering but in the hands of exceedingly excellent care overall from the osteopathic cranial surgeon, doctor and ICU/CCU nursing staff at S.F. General / Zuckerberg Center, on Friday, Oct. 23rd, John was transferred to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose. With everything seemingly upside-down as of midnight on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, John, our Christian soldier, turned all that around, and as of Friday morning, Oct. 23rd, continually made remarkable strides with his healing, gradual pain lessoning, and bits of memory returning. Certainly he will be in really good hands at Valley Medical Center. His case manager, Shiva, has already done remarkably wonderful things in order to help ensure John is provided all he needs. Thankfully, this evening, it was shared to me by John’s shift nurse Michael, that John has a 24-hour ‘sitter’ in the room, to assist with him getting out of bed, putting on his safety helmet, and various other things that bring him comfort; in a safe environment. I was just about to hire a private nurse for his room, and another angel sent one to me… free of charge! Thank you, Jesus! You saved me a long interview process! ;-DSome pointers:Those sweet and dear persons suffering brain injuries require a great deal of assurance, peace, tranquility and a very calm environment. They can not handle the amount of stimulation that we do, like data entry, phone calls, tv watching, radio listening, etc. With memory issues combined with difficulties articulating or writing words for to convey thoughts, typically agitation, frustration and sorrow set in… and quite rapidly.Against my direction, and after much discussion about certain things with Shiva on Friday, someone accidentally gave John an iPad today. While talking to him around 7 PM, I recognized his agitation. He said he was very confused while looking at it. (Remember… with memory issues, the poor man had as of today, no starting point to reference in order to communicate with me… or anyone else for that matter, on the iPad.I asked him if it made him feel better by putting it down, and he replied with a big sigh: “Yes! Thank you!”Needless to say, once Johnnie is asleep, the item will be removed and sent to the nurse’s station for charging. :-)I am sharing this tiny story with you, just so you can learn a bit about the healing process that occurs by traumas to the head/brain.If anyone wishes to send a card, or a very tiny plant, please remember to keep it as least-detailed as is possible. An image of a cute little animal,…even a child’s type of card would be nice… and with the fewest amount of words inside… like your printed name and a saying like: I love you, Thinking of you, Get well soon, Miss you,… etc. would work best for him.Johnnie is unable to chew at this time, so please save any wonderfully delicious fruit you might wish to send. With regard to other gifts you’d love for him to have… may I recommend we can wait just a few more days for the medical team to sort of recommend what items would benefit him? Thank you.Again, the goal is to continue offering him prayer and a non-stimulating environment where he can rest and heal, peacefully.Thank you, so very much, for your continued love! Johnnie is definitely aware of the power of prayer at this point! In Christ,Jeanette Cook-Barrett
Dear Family and Friends of Zyvonne, I am sorry to hear of the passing of Zyvonne. She was a dear person, a beautiful spirit. She will live on in our hearts and minds. With love.
Sending all our love and hope to see you soon ❤️
Silas, we are all so proud of your progression! Your support system is amazing! ( your parents and family and friends). Keep up all your hard work! Prayers and love sent your way!?
Ik Anny, we are praying for you, we believe God will take care of you. God holds your hands, ik Anny. In God we trust!
May God bless Dax, Clint and Brittany and all the grandparents and great grandparents !!!!
Hey Bethany,Do you get your infusion on the 21st floor? How often?
Still haven’t figured out how to GET TO the planner….
Bust My Hump
Cant find my friend Tony Scallon on caringbridge
Clarice, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
lovely site
Love and prayers to you! Chari & Mark Ahrenholz
Love you and praying for you Fr. Tom.❤️
Am praying for you both. I am glad you will be able to be together throughout these treatments. You have many friends who love you and will be praying for you. Love and blessings,Anne
Continuing to pray for y’all and his medical care! I finally can access the caring bridge site with the help of customer service rep Robin. Love?
I’d like to thank Caringbridge for this service. My mother is sick with breast cancer and cannot take care of herself. After reading this article, we got the courage to ask for help and several people offered to help. It really works and now my mother is well taken care of. It changed our lives and we are so grateful for this service. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.
I wanted to make a donation in honor of my wonderful brother Fr Joe because all his life he was a giver. He went to the missions in Brazil in 1959 and put his heart and soul into everything he did. He loved the people. He worked with them he loved the leper’s and the poor. When his health was in decline he came back to America and went to St Paul Minnesota where he visited the sick and buried the dead The hardest time was in August he had the VIRUS. Since we come from a very large family we wanted to help relive some stress off the hospital and nurses so I his sister did the calling and would give the updates to my niece. She would then post it on CaringBridge. August was hard because none of us could go see Joe. When we finally got a call that he was being transferred back to St Clement Nursing Home we new there he would be back in his room with his personnel quilts that hung on the walls and most of all the wonderful priest and nurses that took care of himThey told me he would be moving Monday. I called and they told me it takes awhile for paperwork. Late Monday he was moved. On Tuesday I ask if I could see him. They were still on lock down. The call came on Wednesday that he had passed away. He was blessed to be in his room with his friends and the nurses that loved him. For this I am eternally grateful. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops what’s a wonderful brother we had. God was so good to us. That is why we posted on CarinngBridge .
My Husband is in his 5 year of Alzheimer’s. And now I’m having heart problems and have a friend who just passed away and they were using your company and werr very happy with you. I know nothing of how to get help. Thank you for your time.
I am beginning my journey over this bridge, officially September 14, 2020, 9:38 am.Wow, talk about having the rug pulled out from under me…in the last weeks I have gone from having pain in my back to stage 4 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (Metatastic) that has spread to lymph nodes, spine, liver, a tiny spot on one lung, and other bony areas including scapula, sternum, ribs (right#6 front and back) (left #5 back )T8 upper spine… some known and biopsied some suspected cancerous
How does one get started using this feature?
how do you go about placing a help request
Great features – that’s how to make chores disappear!
Thank you Jesus Praise your Holy name. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Our next request is that you work on her ability to have the strength to breast feed naturally and swallow as you planned and created us in the beginning. And continue to surround her with the blood of the lamb and armor of God. No more need for oxygen, tube feeding ,CPAP’S. Mindy,and Stoddard, this beautiful precious little girl of yours is a MIRACLE and God already has a plan for her. HE held her in His arms,and I hope some day I will have the privaledge and honor to hold her CONGRATULATIONS, BE BLESSED. LOVE YOU ALL
Dear Katie,Kaye and I send you greetings. Our prayers are with you.
Frank, you have our condolences on the passing of your mother. Yvonne- walking for 4+ miles is about 4.9 miles greater than I can currently do. You keep it up girl. Love you.
I sent my wife an invite to co-author my page here on caringbridge.org. She got the invite, filled it out and clicked to finish it. I could not find her on my site so, she sent it a second time. Still could not find her on my site so the third time she send it again and this time, it ended up having her start her own account.How do I get her to co-author MY website here on caringbridge.org??????David
Colin Shouse is a close friend of one of the kids he is close to and we are longtime friends of that child’s family and when I found out what happened to Colin, I wanted to donate for such an atrocious thing to happen to anyone, especially a child! We do not know Colin directly, but feel that a donation of any size might help. Prayers for Colin’s recovery
Angela, my beautiful, talented, brilliant daughter, has glioblastoma multiform brain cancer in microscopic cells left after the wonderful Duke Brain Tumor Center head neurosurgeon Dr. Allen Friedman, resected all of the tumor that he could on July 10, 2020. She is facing chemo with radiation now. (We appreciate Pres. Trump for his Executive Order that allows patients the Freedom to Try new therapies. He is the first President to give patients this freedom.) Her dad and I have to travel back to Minnesota for a couple weeks, so she will need friends in the Wake Forest area to help get her to appointments. Friends in Richmond, VA brought meals for the freezer so Aug 23-28 is taken care of, Hallelujah!
Boni, how can we help you? How can we see Roger?
Karen – You are on my mind and in my heart. From the moment I met you, your smile and contagious spirit came through. I smile when I think about how you always made me laugh – when vacuuming at your home or at the hotel in Annapolis.Sending positive energy and love to you.
Always deep in my heart ❤️ Cuz
Dearest Rin, I have just heard that the end of your journey on this earth is coming to end. You have been an amazing angel to so many and I will miss you so very much. As the angels carry you to God’s arms, I know your journey will be peaceful and you will be cradled in their wings listening to their gentle songs as you wait to see God. Be happy my dearest friend, I love you and you and your family will always be in my heart and on my mind. All my love. Evelyn Marsh
I was so blessed to have you in my life. I will miss you .?
Hi Heather just to tell you praying for a good day for Andrew.I am try not to be w orr ied constantly.I ask God to put those angels around him and let him know we need him to get better so we can help him in any way.Take care and just remember if I can help in any way just let me know.
Over the years you made a huge impact on our lives. Your help and advice was always available at a moment’s notice. I already miss our phone conversations about our upbringings, the jokes and lifestyles we had growing in our Armenian families, which always lifted our spirits. Ed saying “good night Carmen” and “good night Hermon” is something we will always remember you by.We admire you courage Hermon. You are in our prayers.Carole, we appreciate you for sharing your journal entries with us. Love,Carmen and Ed
Prayers abound! For you, Patricia, Robin and Lina and all the family! LOVE and LIGHT and Healing Prayers being sent your way! ❤️
I am praying for you and your loved one.
So heart breaking. We have such fond memories of Denise and Tom up on Silver Lake. Your all in our thoughts and prayers. So sad that Cancer, not once but twice attacked your family. Keep the faith and stay strong.
nice story
Just want you know that we are praying for you and if you need anything don’t hesitate to contact me.
Zach, we met when you graduated college. I can with Aunt Rosemarie. I pray for Eliza Cate. I can’t donate blood as I have cancer. My heart is with you guys and Eliza& pray to Aunt Rosemarie in heaven to intervene for her. I am do far away that I can’t do day to day help for you. Sending love to you all.
Keep up the good work!! Super happy for you both.
??? Fr. John
Praying
Debbie,please get better soon. LOVE YOU. JANET
I have no idea what you really do. I
KINDLY Add your MAILING LIST
Hi Anne, you are one of God’s warriors, keep your faith, you will get your starry crown from God. Love you cousin Maryrose
Wow! This is amazing! I truly believe that caring is sharing.It is something I have practiced all of my adult life. It is great to see such brilliant idea on a social media platform.
Happy 18th Birthday ? and Happy Graduation ? to a real ??! Have thought about you and what your senior year memories will be like. Love and best wishes and prayers Kerissa.
Dewey has recovered from 7 or more strokes,under pain management for his Spine and leg pain.Had a history of ca and His activity.He has a?device dog named ;Buster.