Share the Care, Inc

Share the Care, Inc.
Providing Services to Family Caregivers
since 1986





April 2019


407.423.5311 (phone)
www.helpforcaregivers.org
info@helpforcaregivers.org


A Few Words from Mary Ellen
Hello Friends!

In January I celebrated my 30th anniversary as the leader of Share the Care. When I started in 1989 I was 28 years old. I had a degree in Gerontology, the study of aging, and a personal mission to do good work as a public servant. While I was committed to serve those who were older and their caregivers, I was neither old nor had I ever been a caregiver. Oh my, the things I have learned in these 30 years...
 
In the early years I learned that people don't want you to fix all of their problems or challenges. They just want a little help and to feel connected to a community of people like themselves. Getting a break to take care of themselves may seem a small thing to people looking from the outside in -yet - so many times over the years I have heard that it made all the difference. Connecting with others either through support groups, educational forums and retreats creates the opportunity to support and learn from others while gaining the strength to face the future. I have seen lifelong friendships develop between caregivers who were surprised and grateful to learn they were not alone.
 
More recently, I have realized that I have changed. I am no longer too young to personally identify with the needs of caregivers. In fact, I joined the "club" myself several years ago when I cared for my mother through her battle with terminal colon cancer. This experience brought me to a new level of understanding about why families care for those they love and why there are so many emotions involved. I can now say I have been there.
 
Four years ago I married the man of my dreams, Patrick. When we were dating I said to him that because of our ages, then 54 and 57, we were not just choosing a life partner we were choosing our future caregiver. Definitely not how my mind was working when I met and married my first husband in my twenties.
 
So 30 years is a long time but also a time of personal evolution. My personal circle of life. I have learned so much from so many over these years. I have been enriched by knowing hundreds, possibly thousands, of caregivers who have shown me what love is. I have been privileged to work with hundreds of the most caring and professional staff in the world. I have been given the opportunity to help to build programs that enhance quality of life for so many. And I'm not done yet!
 
The biggest lesson of all has been that people are, for the most part, good. They want to do the right thing. They care for people out of love not just responsibility. As my favorite feel good song, Nature Boy concludes, "The greatest thing, I ever learned, was just to love and be loved in return." Now to spend the next 30 years living out that lesson!
 
With Gratitude,
 
Mary Ellen
 
             
     MEG - Preferred Promo - framed

Mother's Day 2019

Honor mom with a personalized lollipop flowerpot on May 10, 2019. 

Your flowerpot will be hand-painted by Share the Care adult day clients, and will have a personalized gift tag. We will deliver orders of 10 or more flowerpots per location to places in the Orlando area. Other orders can be picked up on May 10 at Share the Care, 1524 Formosa Ave., Winter Park.

Lollipop flowerpots are $10 each.

All proceeds will benefit the Mom's Scholarship Fund which started to honor the memory of two very special women - Diane Weiss Abramson, the mother of Board President Mark Abramson and Barbara Ort-Smith, the mother of CEO Mary Ellen Philbin. Thank you for your participation and support.

To place an order, call Kim Fairall at Share the Care, 407-423-5311.

Orders due April 18.


Adult Day Care Center Updates
Click on the Center of Your Choice to Link to the April Updates for that location: 


 Share the Care - Maitland Center Update


In This Issue
Mother's Day
Caregiver Forum
Adult Day Care Center Updates
Mary Ellen's 30th Anniversary Party









Share the Care
Caregiver Support Group

2nd Friday of each month
1:30 - 3:00 pm
1524 Formosa Ave., Winter Park

Complimentary respite is available at our College Park Adult Day Center during the meeting. 

RSVP to 407-423-5311 to attend.

Share the Care Adult Day Centers and the Administrative Office will be closed on Good Friday, April 19.

We wish your family a happy holiday weekend.


Are you looking for a thoughtful gift for someone going through a rough patch?

Consider sending a gift box from 7 Gifts of Kindness.

The company was started by Denise Hilliard as she fought a battle with brain cancer. Her husband David continues the company in her memory. 

David donates 2 gift boxes each month to Share the Care to give to family caregivers. 
STC Color Photo BMP Converted

CONTACT US:

Call  407.423.5311  or email us at  info@helpforcaregivers.org  to find out how we can best serve you and your loved ones.