Thank you, Carol, for the wonderful list. This is day 1 of the new year, and I've already had a meltdown. Neither my mom nor my husband saw, and I got through it. I'm the caregiver for both. But I get through each day and am thankful for that. I'm helping them rather they like it or not. Happy New Year!
An excellent list. I might add that being a caregiver has made me more compassionate and is teaching me about the different ways people can age. It's not always what we expect or hope for. I understand more of the full range of the human condition.
I actually did choose to be my loved one's caregiver. In the end it is a choice though many of us might forge ahead without thinking about it. It is a choice because it is possible to walk away. It may seem inevitable but it's not. Those of us who consciously choose to be our loved ones' caregivers may choose the more difficult path, but having done so means we believe in the choice. Even if the chioce is ongoing and even if one day we must choose to let others take over.
The reminders for Caregivers is right on! So easy to get drowned in day to day care. My dentist and I laugh about my coming to her for respite. Keep the good advice and luncheon seminars coming. Thank you and Happy New Year to us all. Another chance for us.
I had some resolutions for this new year and they were very similar to these. I liked this article because it made me think of taking care of my needs which I really didn't have on my original list. It reminded me to add number 13 on my list.
This is a great site I want to know I can help myself because I don't think they will take care of me. I am all ready 55 and am trying to find out all I Can. My Worst fear is ending in hospice care with noo ne on the outside to help me-one.
Excellent 12 points, Carol. Point 5 stood out in my mind so much that I am going to email a friend of mine today to see if there is one evening next week that she and I can have the evening meal together. I haven't found time for her for a long time. Between caring for my mother, being POA for my mom, dealing with my husband's many medical problems, preparing to move due to his problems, trying to meet neighbours and kids needs and then just living life in general, I have found it hard to fit in visits with friends except through letters, emails and phone calls. But I resolve to try to do better this year. Point 10 is something I would like my husband to remember. I did not choose for him to have all the problems he has. I wish he didn't have these problems. However when he thinks (often wrongly) that I am upset with something he has done or hasn't done, it doesn't help that he says in what seems to me to be a self-pitying tone of voice " I didn't ask to be sick." Some sick people can't seem to truly recognize that they aren't the ONLY one being affected by the illnesses. Also, the sick need to realize that their caregivers may not always be feeling the greatest either!!! Just because we aren't complaining about something all the time doesn't mean that we are feeling hale and hearty. Though we may end up there, none of us caregivers WANT to be among those 30% that Carol mentioned in point 11. Here's to a good year for all of us, the sick and the caregivers alike!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ARTICLES. MY HUSBAND WHO IS 51 YEARS OLD HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH EARLY AGE DEMENTIA (PICKS DISEASE) I AM VERY SCARED ABOUT WHAT IS AHEAD AND YOU ARE HELPING ME. HE WAS JUST DIAGNOSED DEC 30TH SO I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN. THANKS DEBBIE
17 Comments
First Oldest
First
13 New Year's Resolutions for Caregivers
Number 7 + 11 are very important to me. ❤️
Happy New Year, folks!
Happy 2020!
Life is a gift and what we make of it - at least to a certain point, right? 😉
Sending kindest regards from Nova Scotia, Canada 🙂
DEBBIE