Many caregivers are parents, wives, husbands, sisters and brothers. They understand the responsibilities and comforts of those roles. As the children grow and leave the home, that role changes and the responsibility of parenting lessens or at least changes from the day-to-day hands on experience of having the children in the home.
As caregivers for our loved ones who are ailing or aging, we acquire an entirely new set of roles and learn to develop new skill sets.
Perhaps your wife for whom you have become the caregiver was the family accountant. You are learning to pay the bills, hire the assistants and balance the budget.
What happens when your husband took care of all the handyman chores of the household? Do you hire a gardener? What about an electrician or a plumber?
The caregiver’s concerns are not only about the care and well-being of the loved one, but now, there is the concern of who does what, how well do they perform their tasks, making new decisions.
These concerns can bring on extra stress and overwhelm in a caregivers life. Is it small stuff? Not to a caregiver.
Support groups and coaches are available to assist caregivers with these and other decision making choices. Remember, Caregivers Need Care Too.
Spring Cleaning for Caregivers
It’s spring time. Usually it’s a time for clearing some of the debris and warming, comforting accessories of winter. Spring cleaning for caregivers can be a time to eliminate the stress, worry, confusion and anxiety that may be a part of your caregiving household. Are you pushing the stress under the rug? What happens if you shake it out, place it outside for airing? Will you be more content, more satisfied? Do you want to store worry and frustration away for another season? How about strategies, tactics and skills to remove it? Spring can be a time of renewal for you as you are caring for your loved one. You can make room for the things in your life that really matter. Remember your hopes, your dreams and your desires. There are family members, friends and associates who want to listen to you; who respect your opinions and who just want you to take some time for yourself. Let’s make this spring your new beginning. Clear the path for more sunshine to come into your life. Bigger and brighter days lie ahead. Remember, Caregivers Need Care Too.
What’s Next for Caregiving?
A distant relative cares for her husband in their home. She is early 80’s. He’s 90. In-home support services sends assistance a few days each week which is greatly appreciated. A few months ago, the wife (Grace) fell and sprained her arm. It was inconvenient, but she recovered nicely. Glen is becoming quite weak as time progresses. They have dinner together and Grace talks to him, not sure if he understands the conversation or not. Last week, Grace had another fall. This time she broke her foot. These are common occurrences for caregivers. Was she absentminded, was she paying more attention to Glen? For many reasons, caregivers decide to keep their loved ones in their homes for as long as possible. Is this the best choice? After a long discussion with family members, it is an individual decision. Glen is in the hospital. Grace is continuing to convalesce at home alone. Let me hear from you as you share caregiving experiences with the community.
Busy At Caregiving
How does your day begin as a caregiver? Get yourself up and prepared. Did you get a chance to take some time for yourself before starting with the daily to do’s for your loved one? Check your emails, get a cup of coffee. Get some fresh air. Take a few minutes to stretch. Let’s assume you always take time out for yourself because if you don’t take care of yourself, all the energy, love and compassion that is required for the care of your loved one with be compromised. Now, you take the time to focus on your role and responsibilities as the caregiver. You have done another wonderful job. Congratulations. It’s the end of the day. Don’t forget to take more time for yourself. You deserve it. Your well-being depends on it. Because Caregivers Need Care Too.