Tell Us: What's the Hardest Caregiving Task You've Had to Learn?

Denise

Tell Us: What's the Hardest Caregiving Task You've Had to Learn?

Denise
puzzles-647700_640We all know that we do complex medical tasks in our homes.

But I'm sure the rest of the world knows.

So, I'd love for you to share the hardest caregiving task you've had to learn. In our comments section, tell us what you've had to learn, how you learned to do it and why it's important to your caree's health.

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Colleen

Difficult for me when I cared for both of my parents was NOT listening to others, regardless of how well intentioned their comments_mysql (or denials) were. Having never been in the role of a caregiver, I did a great deal of second guessing myself. Were symptoms really as bad as they seemed? Was I invading their privacy? Was it now time that I parented my parent? I knew what was happening, I knew to trust my gut, but the more I doubted myself, the more I questioned others. I had to realize others were not on the front lines and also at different levels of acceptance of the illnesses. I had to realize that I was a pragmatic realist. Sometimes others we love try to be supportive by telling us that the doctors can in fact reverse the fatal disease, or that our caree will get out of hospice - alive (!?!?!) Learning to consult and trust those on my medical team and coupling that information with what I was seeing day-to-day and making the sum of those two factors my guidepost was very beneficial in quieting the noise from others who cared and allowed for less deliberation in proceeding with treatments and palliative care for my parents.

Jimmy

First, listening versus talking. Second, is to not jump in at every situation and treat her like she cannot do anything herself. It is so easy to try and interject to my spouse some ideological dribble when all she wants to do is vent for a while. It took me some time to learn this and I have received a good deal of help regarding this by asking for help. I have no idea what it is to be a paraplegic and all I can do and should do is to listen, help out in every way possible and be mindful of what my wife can do and cannot do. Her safety is paramount, her self-respect and self-worth are a close second.

Mark Mackinson

Hardest caregiving task for me to learn, is one I still struggle with but getting better. Ask for Help..... I guess my logic is/was, Suzie can't call a time out.... Why should I be able too?.. And I know Suzie needs me rested and refreshed to be able to help her....

anita0419

My hardest task of caregiving was watching my mother go from a person who weighed 135 lbs. to 67 lbs. A person who was very vibrant and loving to someone who couldn't do anything for herself. To watch someone you love fade away. That was the hardest part of caregiving for me.