A few words from Anne:

Recent health difficulties for my (Anne) mother have required that our family (five siblings, spouses and grandchildren) begin to move into the role of caregivers.  Because of geographical distance, most of us cannot be with our mother consistently. 

My brother and his wife live in the same town as my mother and have accepted the  responsibility for daily contact and support of her and my 97 year old step-father.  However, their care giving role and full-time professions were not allowing opportunity to communicate individually with each member of our large family.

In addition, several of us were visiting with my mother from time to time and communicating with her via the phone.  Our observations and awarenesses left us very concerned about her increasing health problems.  It became evident that we needed to pool our awarenesses, experiences, and knowledge if we were going to effectively enhance the quality of her health and her independence.  

Our hectic and full life styles (parenting, professions, community responsibilities, etc.) demanded an efficient, consistent form of communication. 

The Wunsch Clan

 Since all of us utilized computers daily, we decided to form an email network where all parties were receiving the same messages.  This gave us almost immediate contact with each other, and each family member could know what the others were feeling and doing.

One of the most wonderful developments that has occurred with our email network has been the opportunity to express our feelings of appreciation to my brother and his wife for their support and continued care of my mother and step-father.

The email network has also given my brother a quick method for informing us of my mother's current medical issues and opportunity to access the many professional and personal experiences available through our extended family. 

We have also been able to facilitate relief schedules for my brother.  When he has needed to leave town, he has posted those dates on the email.  We can then announce our availability and coordinate coverage.

Our mother has also expressed her appreciation for this communication system.  She knows that we all care and that she does not have to keep each of us informed regarding her doctor's opinions, tests, diagnoses, etc.

Finally, this need for sharing has brought us much closer together as a family, removing some of the geographical distance that has separated us.  We have also come to appreciate the unique qualities that each of us have contributed to our mother's health and continued independence.   

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