Working Caregiver- Caregiver Articles
While in the midst of caregiving, it's hard to imagine that you'll get anything but another headache and another fight with a health care professional.
Caregivers Life After Caring
My sister Janice is in transition after 2 full years of continued and dedicated caregiving for our dad, living with Alz. She was helped by my sister Virginia and me. Of course, I must admit my two sisters did the bulk of his care but Janice took it upon herself to spearhead his day-to-day living experience and making it comfortable. It amazed me to watch her absolute loyalty to his well-being. She was in complete service to him and the last few years he was on earth.
It was Virginia that the nursing home would first call at a sign of trouble or health concern. But it was Janice who would pick up the ball and carry it yard after yard, drudging through complications and seeking answers to make his life a bit more comfortable. Janice was always a nervous sort, afraid to try new things or question her daily existence. She was a school teacher and earned a Master Degree, which I know takes courage. But overall Janice was not an adventurer. Afraid of commitment fearing her heart would be broken or betrayed. So, she rarely took risks. Her confidence level, in my opinion was flat. Now that caregiving is in the past for her, I believe that will all change. Her caregiving experience may give her a confidence she had previously not known.
While in the midst of caregiving, it's hard to imagine that you'll get anything but another headache and another fight with a health care professional. Little good comes from taking on the medical and health profession - it is so emotionally and physically demanding that it seems to win your total exhaustion.
What will Janice do now? What do any of us do now after caregiving? I know for myself that I have many, many free weekends, no workday interruptions, little research to accomplish and certainly no more complicated and often frustrating conversations with dad's medical and nursing home staff. For me there's a lot of free and peaceful times. For Janice, I hope, a new person is born out of her caregiving life. I pray that she finds joy, peace, creativity and above all, confidence to take on a new world and a new life!
May the angel of care spread their love over her - I know my dad is ever grateful to Janice and he acknowledges her - his loyal angel.
Carol Marak, Founder http://www.Workingcaregiver.com
Visit her blog at http://workingcaregiver.blogspot.com
