Mindfulness for Caregivers

If you are a caregiver, practicing mindfulness can help to reduce stress, restore energy, help you be “present” for your loved one, balance taking care of others and caring for yourself and make caregiving a rewarding experience

These videos, of live sessions, include exercises and discussions led by Beth Sandweiss, JFS of MetroWest social worker, co-founder of the Jewish Meditation Center in Montclair and Director of Mindfulness Programs at the Jewish Wellness Center of North Jersey. Beth trained in MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) at University of Massachusetts Medical School and  at IJS (Institute for Jewish Spirituality) Meditation Teachers Training Program.

Introduction to Mindfulness

1. Welcome from MetroWest CARES
2. What is Mindfulness and How Can It Help You?
3. The Core of Caregiving
4. Mindfulness in Your Daily Life

Exercises and Discussion

1. A Taste of Mindfulness
   A six-minute Raisin Exercise
2. A Taste of Mindfulness
   Discussion
3. Awareness of Breath and Body
   A ten-minute exercise
4. Awareness of Breath and Body
   Discussion
5. Meditation of Sound
   An eight-minute exercise
6. Meditation of Sound
7. Discussion
8. Mindfulness of Breath
   A three-minute exercise
9. The Body Scan
   A fifteen-minute exercise
10. The Body Scan
    Discussion
11. The Feeling of Compassion
    Cultivating the Feeling of Compassion (for yourself and your loved one)
12. The Three-minute Breathing Space
    Exercise
13. The Three-minute Breathing Space
    Discussion
14. Discussion of the Chattering Mind

Acknowledgments and Local Resources for Caregivers

The mindfulness practices outlined are based the work of Mark Williams and Danny Penman, authors of Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World.

These videos are sponsored by MetroWest CARES (Committee Addressing Resources Senior Services) with funding from Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Special thanks to JCC MetroWest for hosting the taped programs and to VideoMac for videotaping and editing the presentations.

For further information about mindfulness programs contact Beth Sandweiss at bethsandweiss@verizon.net.

Below are local resources available to caregivers looking for information and support.

Jewish Family Service (JFS) of MetroWest, (973) 765-9050, www.jfsmetrowest.org
Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Central New Jersey (908) 352-8375, www.jfscentral.org 
Joint Chaplaincy of Greater MetroWest, (973) 929-3168, www.jfedgmw.org/chaplaincy
Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey, Department of Eldercare Services, 973-929-3193
The Informed Caregiver: An Education Series for Caregivers of Aging Loved Ones 
Pathways for Caregivers: http://www.unitedwaynnj.org/ourwork/heal_caregiversresources.php
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services
NJ State ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) 
http://www.adrcnj.org/, http://www.caregiver.va.gov