Social Media: Caring For A Caregiver With Lots Of Helping Hands
Recently, a friend of mine had to undergo back surgery. The surgery would incapacitate her in the short term and require a long-term recovery program before life “returns to normal.” But the bigger problem was that she is also a caregiver to her husband who is battling Parkinson’s Disease.
How were they going to manage this?
This post is about how this couple’s community of friends stepped in with the help of a social platform that just blew me away: Lotsa Helping Hands.
A free-of-charge, private, web-based community you can use to organize family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues – a family’s ‘circles of community’ — during times of need. Easily coordinate activities and manage volunteers with our intuitive group calendar. Communicate and share information using announcements, messages boards, and photos.
It was amazing. LotsaHelpingHands.com provided a complete online solution to coordinating support and sharing support tasks across their network of friends. Not only did this site benefit my friend and her husband, but it provided clear and easy access for all of their friends who wanted to help them out.
It was a win-win for everyone.
Anyone who is a caregiver, knows caregivers, coordinates volunteers, cares for the elderly, is helping out new parents or parents in crisis, or anyone who is a part of a community supporting military families when soldiers are deployed can benefit from a social site like this. School organizers could use it, too, to organize classroom activities, fundraising events and more.
There are a multitude of applications that can be more easily managed with this truly helpful platform.
I didn’t imagine using “social media” in this way. So incredibly glad someone else did.
Tags: caregiver, caregivers, elder care, LotsaHelpingHands, military families, Parkinsons Disease, school organizers, volunteer, volunteering
June 30th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Your post couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only is LotsaHelpingHands a brilliant use of social media, it brings with it a humanistic component that is sometimes lost in the cool, compelling world of tech-driven communications. Plus, as a newly minted caregiver for my elderly father, you’ve made me realize there’s help out there.
Thanks, Renee. A great post once again.
Cameron
June 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Hey CB,
Definitely thought this site was worth sharing as I, unfortunately, know so many people right now who are struggling with health issues…
That said, I know even more people who’d love to step in and help but don’t know what they can do to be of service.
I thought this site an amazing tool for coordinating support around a friend (or family member) in need.
Thinking of you and PDK as you face a new set of challenges with your dad every day.
I wish for him a few more glimpses of dignity and for you, some much needed peace of mind.
Hang tough,
R
June 30th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
It’s interesting seeing elder relevant subject matter hitting “new” media.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
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July 1st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
What a wonderful story and what an innovative use of social media!
It seems that the possibilities of social networking are endless.
Thanks for sharing.
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
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July 10th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
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December 18th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
This is a great post! I have seen more and more social media connecting with elder care and issues. I think its a great idea.
February 18th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
This is a great resource. My friend just passed away and her daughter gave birth to her first child the week before her mom’s passing. This site has been a great help in getting the community behind the entire family!