Cindy, thank you for your article. One of my favorite verses in the Bible stating not to be forgetful to entertain strangers, for by doing so, some have unwittingly entertained angels. I think it in Hebrews 13. I was a nurse and one of my patients, a 96 year old's family gave me a matted picture and in it was that verse and this poem:

Blessed are the angels who walk with us.
Though we are unaware-
Those people who take time to listen.
To understand and care.
Blessed are those with unseen halos,
Earned through deeds of love,
For they will always be for us
Sweet blessings from above.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers,
For by doing so
Some have unwittingly entertained angels.

The last part of that is the verse, Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV). I do not consider myself yet an angel, but I look at that picture everyday and try to strive to do those things. I know that I will not ever manage to qualify to be an angel, but those things mentioned are very good qualities for a caregiver to have. Carse giving is about giving all you have to give, while giving enough to your personal life to also be satisfied. It is often neverending and very stressful, but a very satisfying thing to do. Lots of times we will not get a thank you are anything type of reconition for doing so. I find that I have a very personal, strong need within me to be a good caregiver.

I have been a caregiver of my parents for 10 years with absolutely no emotional or financial support from my older sibling. I lost my father 6 years ago and my Mother just turned 91. I'm also a special education teacher for children with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities. At times, I feel so overwhelmed that I just want to cry. However, I am a strong person and know my Mom and students depend on me. I pray a lot lately!!!!!

i am closer to demonic than religious but i get this article authors drift . dementia care requires more than the average dull eyed mortal can deliver . love , patience , self sacrifice , personal pain , isolation , frustration , dashed hopes , loss of self and often income , etc .
i dont want to be an angel either , just the family member with the guts to step up and walk with his beloved on the scariest walk of their lives .

Regardless of what a caregiver is called, it's a tough and demanding job and…at least for me…can leave you exhausted and emotionally spent. I work each day…own my own business…and care for a very needy parent who is demanding and requires a great deal of emotional energy. Anything done is never enough. That is heartbreaking and hard to hear. I have 5 siblings. 3 could easily help. None do. I have 100% of the responsibility while they live their lives and turn their heads….and yet a few point fingers and hurl insults. That is the really tough part. Let's face it. It is lonely and hard to be a caregiver…regardless of the circumstances. I'm thankful for this site and enjoy reading how others cope and it's very helpful to me.

It's so sad when people tell care givers what a slouch you are living at home, they don't want to understand and you can't make people understand what they don't want to.

an attendant spirit, a benevolent one. Take the second meaning of angel and don't let the rest bother you

It bothers me when people try to define me in their own religious terms, and most of the time I think they don't even realize they are expressing a religious idea, let alone that everyone may not agree with it. I just want to make that point. Josiah, do you think I have less of a right to state that than people who believe in angels?

To jeannegibbs Why do you have to comment at all?

I am many, many things to the various people in my life. But I am not an angel. It bothers me when people try to define me in their own religious terms. If you want to think you are an angel I have no problem with that. Leave me out of your religious definition, please.

Every now and then I have heard a comment from others."you're not working anymore, you're taking care of your mom." "Well, that is a job too." It is like they reconsider their words while they are saying them. They also usually say "I could never do that." You do not know what you would do until you are called to do it. Your beloved parent turns into a child and they are scared. Being a mom to your mom and dad is truly a calling.

I am a caregiver to mu husband, and as greuling and hard as it is I would never do anything less. I am so grateful to still have him, and I would lay down my own life to save his. He is my hero, and I know if it were me he would do the same