As a #Caregiver, Is Your Life What You Pictured a Year Ago? The Caregiving Learning Curve steepens as you learn and flattens, then steepens again with each new challenge.
Starting the day with a chat and coffee. The chat started late today. I started reflecting on the learning curve. I received tips from a conversation I had with a caregiver. While things are different, these tips helped me move through the learning curve of being an effective caregiver in 2019.
- Take Care of Yourself: Taking care of someone else can be difficult, and it is crucial to ensure you don’t neglect your needs. Get enough rest and find ways to de-stress during difficult times.
- Prepare Yourself: Prepare yourself for the situations that arise by
researching caregiving strategies. Online resources are available that give detailed advice and instructions on caregiving. - Ask For Help: It’s okay to ask for help if you need it. Being a caregiver is not always easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Connect with support groups, seek advice from others and never be afraid to reach out.
- Make Time For Fun: Caregiving can be a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to make time for yourself. Have fun when you can, enjoy activities that you want, and continue to nurture your relationships
Follwing each tip was difficult when my caregiver demands increased when both parents needed help at the same time.
September 22, 2021 My Ankle Surgery — Not Yet
What is wrong with this picture? Both parents are in assisted living and I’m still doing too much. Dads appointment to get his ID 8:45 am. The bus took Dad to the DPS office at 8:00 am! Bus driver called me. I wasn’t there yet. Dropped everything got in the car and met Dad who was in the waiting room. Made our appointment and one document I didn’t have was his birth certificate! They kindly informed us that we could return with document. I took Dad back to ASSISTED so he could eat breakfast and I could get the document. I should have called the bus. It was chaos from there. Pulmonary doctor called as we arrived. We were disconnected from that prep call. Scheduled phone appointment with pulmonary for Dad is at 10:45. Still waiting for phone call. Can’t go home to get document and get it before lunch and nurse is scheduled to arrive between 1-3. We should be back before 2:00 to get ID without rescheduling. That’s not going to happen. I had my ankle/foot x-rayed yesterday to see what’s wrong. It hurts so much and all the activity so far isn’t helping my ankle/foot. I am calm, I am fine, I should have known better. Dad thinks I’m deserting him because I’m going home to rest while they eat lunch.
Take care of you!❤️
