Listening with Intention

By Roz Jones

As caregivers, we often have so much on our plates that truly listening to our aging loved ones can fall by the wayside. But listening with intention can transform your relationship and foster deeper understanding.

I’ve been there—juggling tasks, managing appointments, and handling responsibilities, all while trying to be emotionally present for the ones we care for. Sometimes, we think we’re listening because we’re physically there, but true listening requires more than just hearing words. It means giving our full attention and creating space for our loved ones to express themselves.

When I first started practicing intentional listening, it was eye-opening. I realized how much I had been missing in our conversations. My loved one opened up in ways they hadn’t before because they felt truly heard. Listening with intention is more than a skill—it’s an act of love.

Here are three steps to help you get started this week:

Tips to Accomplish This:

Schedule Dedicated Listening Time: Find a quiet moment each day, even if it’s just 10 minutes. Make this a distraction-free zone by turning off the TV, silencing your phone, and focusing solely on your loved one.
Ask Thoughtful Questions: Open-ended questions like, “What’s been on your mind lately?” or “Can you tell me more about that?” encourage them to share freely.
Reflect and Validate: Repeat back what you’ve heard to confirm your understanding. Say things like, “It sounds like you’re feeling [emotion] because of [situation]. Did I get that right?” This shows them that their feelings matter and builds trust.

Intentional listening is a journey. Some days may be easier than others, but each effort you make will strengthen your bond and build deeper trust.

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How to Have Better Conversations with Strangers

By Roz Jones

Talking to someone you don’t know can be scary. If you are a full-time caregiver, interacting with new people outside of your loved ones may be an unusual event. There are a lot of unknowns. Whether you’re approaching someone at a networking event, meeting a friend of a friend you’ve never met, or speaking to a stranger on the elevator, here are some tips:

Be brave and just do it, even though it’s uncomfortable. The other person is probably as nervous as you are. They will most likely like you more than you think – and you’ll enjoy it more than you think! Don’t be afraid to talk to someone who is different from you as well. It can be an enlightening experience for you both.

Don’t be afraid to skip to the questions that will make your conversation partner think. You can skip the stock questions like “what do you do?” or “where do you live?” Start with a statement if that feels more comfortable. Be authentic in your reply, question, or statement.

Be curious and ask questions. Ask about their clothing, why they decided to come to the event or any other conversation starter. Questions can kick off the conversation and keep one going.

Give them a compliment. This shifts the focus off of you and makes them feel good. We tend to be in our heads overthinking what we’re doing wrong or what we might do wrong. Focusing the attention on the other person helps you get past that.

I’ve just launched Shop With Roz, my online store filled with supplies and gifts for every caregiver. You can find a wide variety of products in the store to help yourself and your loved one. Check it out here!

After you have a look through the store, see any products you use and love as a caregiver, and think we should share them with everyone? Let me know!

It’s here, I am so excited to share a new caregiver app called CircleOf….This app will allow you to surround yourself with resources and experts from your community including ME!!!! As you are looking through the app, you will see my familiar face. I’m excited about this partnership and new ways to support you as you support your loved one. Here’s the link so you can explore the app. I would love your feedback and spread the word by sharing the link to family and friends.

Visit http://www.rozjonesent.com for more information on addressing mental health as a caregiver and check out my upcoming book!

How to Talk to Your Kids About Tough Topics

By Roz Jones

You might find it uncomfortable talking about some subjects with your kids. It might be because of your own background, your cultural or religious values. As a caregiver, one challenge may be even finding the time to sit down to have the conversation. Even though it’s difficult, it’s important to talk about the tough topics that affect our kids. It’s a good idea to identify the topics that might confuse, scare, or overwhelm your child.

Here are some tips for addressing the sticky topics with your kids:

If something sad happens within your family, like an illness, a death, or a divorce, try to be the one to talk to them about it first. Set aside time with your child where you can both be comfortable, and choose a safe environment where you can talk to them about it.

Keep your answers simple and appropriate for their age. Children under six aren’t necessarily going to understand or be patient while you give them a long, drawn out explanation.

Be honest and talk as truthfully as you can about the topic.

Come back to the topic. It will take time for your child to understand. Let them know they are welcome to come back and ask you questions about the topic at any time.

If the topic is one that is bothering them, be open and ask open-ended questions to help them describe how they feel or what they think.

Listen to your child. Make eye contact and get as close to their level as you can.

Above all, remain calm even if the topic is sad or difficult for you personally. It’s also okay to have feelings and let your child know how you feel.

After you have a look through the store, see any products you use and love as a caregiver, and think we should share them with everyone? Let me know!

Visit www.rozjonesent.com for more information on addressing mental health as a caregiver and check out my upcoming book!

I Heal My Heart with Hope

By Roz Jones

I believe in the old adage, “Hope springs eternal.” I know I can heal my heart with hope.

Just as the sun comes up each morning, I have faith in the healing power of hope.

I trust that the sun will come up each day. I trust that hope heals all things.

I have decided to avoid hopelessness. I choose to be hopeful, instead.

I am full of hope!

I know I am safe. I am grateful to be here. I am grateful to have my feet planted firmly on the ground, and my head floating in the clouds of hope.

I see the squirrels chasing each other around the tree trunk. That gives me hope. I feel happiness well up inside of me.

I abide in hope for a positive future.

I know that everything is okay. I feel it in my bones. I look out the window and see the perfection of all that is, and know that I can be just fine too.

I see the grass as it continues to grow, and it gives me hope. I see the leaves start to change, and I know that I can stay hopeful through all the changes that occur in life.

I stay in a place of hope that all is well.

Today, I feel my heart swell with hope. I feel optimism coursing through my veins. I feel a smile expand across my face. I am in a positive place of hopefulness and it is good.

Self-Reflection Questions:

What can I do today that will increase my hope?
Who can I call that will bring me additional hope?
Where can I go out in nature to harvest more hope?

After you have a look through the store, see any products you use and love as a caregiver, and think we should share them with everyone? Let me know!

Visit http://www.rozjonesent.com for more information on addressing mental health as a caregiver and check out my upcoming book!

5 Benefits of Having Better Conversations

By Roz Jones

Most of us spend time every day surrounded by friends, colleagues, strangers and loved ones. Whether it’s on our daily commute, sitting in the park, at home, at work, or visiting the supermarket, we see plenty of people.

Yet many of us – particularly caregivers – have a self-imposed feeling of isolation. We might say a quick “hello”, but don’t bother to have a better conversation than that.

It could be because we’re simply consumed by our own thoughts, but it could also be because we believe reaching out to a stranger will make us both feel uncomfortable, or maybe that the other person is too busy to talk.

These beliefs are unfounded. Research suggests that having regular conversations with others has positive impacts on the lives of both conversation partners. Here are five of my favorite positive developments that come from having better, deeper conversations:

Having a conversation with a stranger may leave you feeling happier. Connecting with others won’t suddenly turn a life of misery into bliss, but it can change an unpleasant moment (like waiting in line, or spending time at the doctor’s office) into something more pleasant.

When you have better, more meaningful conversations with others, you often learn things you didn’t know about. As you ask questions and listen, you pick up on little nuggets of information that help you understand and grow, as a person and even as a caregiver.

Having conversations keeps you from feeling isolated and depressed. It can also help to relieve stress. By simply opening up to your loved ones when you are having a stressful day, you will feel more relaxed. Connecting with others regularly builds a sense of belonging we all crave.

You can develop self-confidence by having meaningful conversations. When someone takes the time to listen to you, it shows you that you are valuable. Surprisingly, even conversations that make you a little uncomfortable can also boost your confidence!

Better conversations can help repair relationships. When you don’t communicate your needs, hurts, wants, desires with the ones you love, it festers and grows and can become irreparable. Taking the time to have a heart-felt open conversation puts you on the path to healing and understanding one another.

After you have a look through the store, see any products you use and love as a caregiver, and think we should share them with everyone? Let me know!

Visit http://www.rozjonesent.com for more information on addressing mental health as a caregiver and check out my upcoming book!