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Managing The Stress ~ Making The Decisions ~ Discovering The Meaning |
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Caregiving |
Solutions To Your Caregiving Situations Throughout Your Caregiving Years |
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2003 Family Caregiver Survey Results Your Experiences in Your Words
What has been your greatest lesson learned as a result of your caregiving experience?
To take one day at a time and rely on my faith in difficult times.
That we should be prepared for surprises in this life. We never know what a day will bring forth. Be loving, be kind as much as it is ours to be. When we lose our cool sometimes, we forgive ourselves, realize we are human and go on.
Caregiving is an incredibly hard combination of love and responsibility. With love, there is a tendency to sacrifice the self, and this is very dangerous to the caregiver. With both, there is a tendency to overdo, to not know one's own limits. I am not the only person I know who has become so overwhelmed and not been able to see what is appropriate. I know too many who feel that is what they 'should' do. I don't know what the shoulds are, I don't think there are any really. Only what is best for both people, I think.
You never know what you are going to have to do, roll with the punches.
It is a very difficult job. It disrupts and changes your life.
Being a caregiver is not the road that most people choose. It has been a strenuous, but rewarding experience for my family. In many ways it has forced us to "grow-up"/"strengthen-up" and take on responsibilities within the family.
To appreciate each day for what it is, and never to make plans in advance. Also, I'm a valuable source of strength to my mom, especially now.
Not to take life for granted. Not to take relationships for granted. To try to value every moment, because you never know what's around the corner. I may have a little different perspective than some of the others, because although I was a caregiver for four and one half months, I lost my mother very quickly. I would have done it forever for her though.
How to manage difficult behavior of my care recipient.
Patience--that is still a work in progress.
None of us are 100% independent.
I never thought I’d be a caregiver at such a young age. You never know where you’ll end up in life.
I hope I die before I end up with no money and at the mercy of the system.
I am just learning but each day I pray for patience, strength and understanding.
Discovering my own strength. You have more inner strength than you realized.
Patience!
Learn to find satisfaction by performing care duties.
To cherish this time both good and bad because I will learn so much and carry away so many precious moments with my mom.
The value of life.
Putting myself in the position of the care recipient and understanding how he or she feels.
Don’t age; don’t get into a dependency situation.
Remain a good enough driver to keep license.
Being willing to give myself to help my dear wife of 53 years; if the tables were reversed she would do the same for me.
The human spirit and will to live is amazing.
I am not a superwoman.
Live life like it is your last day.
That it is very time consuming.
Take each day as it comes.
A caregiver must be willing to put their care recipient’s needs above their own but only while they figure out who will help them meet their own needs.
Not all family members agree on how to handle a parent’s care. Communication is vital and family meetings are essential.
To have patience for the person needing assistance; each ache and pain is real for this person.
Aging is a difficult journey; there are always choices, challenges.
That you can have good memories; they are not all bad days or experiences.
Family isn’t always as supportive as you expect; it’s easier to deny than to accept and help.
Be positive!
Try and put yourself in the care recipient’s shoes and practice “patience.” Trust yourself.
If you suspect a problem, don’t be lulled by palliative explanations; you know your patient.
If possible, have a two-story house so you can get “away” from your recipients. My parents will find me when I’m downstairs but when I go upstairs, it’s peace and quiet for hubby and me.
Sometimes you can’t do it all.
Feelings of helplessness, frustration.
I do not have to be there to do it all; it is a choice.
Not to be like my parents--to start now being sweet, forgiving and willing to accept change and throw away stuff.
Do all you can to have them continue to be in their own surroundings.
You have to be strong--mentally and physically. Wondering who will do this for me.
Patience and that prayer helps.
That you can try to do the best you can but there comes a time when you have to think about what is best for you and the person you care for.
I have found out my mom likes living in a nursing home. She stayed in one so we could go on vacation.
What turned out to be the best option to care for my mom was to have her go to a nursing home. I realized that my father and I couldn’t handle her needs well at home so it was the best option.
The reality of responsibility and longevity of caregiving has solidified the commitment.
It is part of the journey of life and a good part. Mother took care of me as a baby and child. She was a good example in caring for her children and their parents. And the cycle goes on the way it is supposed to be.
If you could make any changes in your community that would help caregivers, what would they be? What advice would you give to a new caregiver? What advice would you give to a health care professional who helps family caregivers? |
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