taking care of others

[lonelypilgrim]

Being a care giver is one of the hardest, most challenging, and most rewarding jobs I have ever done. I have looked after both family members as well as others with no one else to care for them. There is much to be said for serving others.

This being said there are many woes and issues with this job as well. Do you have any stories or situations you would like to share or maybe you just want to talk about what is going on? Well this is the place.

 

[tjboie2001]

Hello there lonely pilgrim would you like to talk to me.

 

[tjboie2001]

Taking care of people I really never had to do that at all. I mean I take care of my kids but i am sure that you are talking about taking care of older people.

 

[lonelypilgrim]

I am talking about older people in relation to who I take care of but I'm sure taking care of children is by no means a small or simple task.

 

[tjboie2001]

I am talking about older people in relation to who I take care of but I'm sure taking care of children is by no means a small or simple task.

Well I had to help my ex boyfriend help take care of his grandmother she was in hot so good shape. So I helped with that I mean I did most of it. I had to help bath her and had to get her to take her pills and I had to make her food because she couldn't do it herself at all.

 

[lonelypilgrim]

Making sure that others are taken care of really gives you a nice feeling inside. I always feel like I have reached out and done some good. God blesses me greatly for allowing me to have a part in their lives.

Another bonus of taking care of older people is the talks you have. You can learn so much!

 

[tjboie2001]

Making sure that others are taken care of really gives you a nice feeling inside. I always feel like I have reached out and done some good. God blesses me greatly for allowing me to have a part in their lives.

Another bonus of taking care of older people is the talks you have. You can learn so much!

That is true to.

 

[praying]

My sister and I take care of my Mom. It's very hard watching her slowly loose her quality of life. She is in the hospital at the moment, she had a stroke in October and now she can't speak and has a feeding tube. I found a site today on the web that seemed pretty good.

The Common Bond of Caregiving are:
The intense sadness we feel because someone we care about has suffered a brain injury is losing their mobility, will never achieve normal life functioning. It is the sadness that comes from wanting the miracle of normalcy.

The upheaval of changing family dynamics that occurs because life has been turned upside down and because there is no set timetable for working through the painful stages of grief which caregivers and care receivers all experience in their own personal and private way.

The sense of isolation that comes from living outside the norm, from having everyday activities of life - dressing; walking; toileting; breathing, thinking clearly - that everyone else takes for granted, become such a big focus in your own life.

The frustration we all experience because it is so hard to get things done, because non-caregivers just don't understand, because healthy people park in handicapped parking spots, and because people who are supposed to have the answers often don't.

The stress we feel because we don't have enough leisure or personal time, and the common bond of caregiving is unfortunately often the severe depression that so many of us suffer.

It is the fortitude to go on despite the pain It is the wellspring of hope we always dip into. It is the power to make a difference. It is the clever way we solve a difficult problem. It is the knowledge that we have been tested by fire, and we have survived.

http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/index.cfm

I can really relate to the items I underlined. I relate to them all but those stood out.

 

[lonelypilgrim]

Thank you for that link and those insights. It is true and I can relate. I have been a caregiver for 4 people, 3 of whom have passed away now. There is so much emotion in this duty especially when the one you are caring for is a close member of your family. Dear one, I am praying for you and your mother as well as the entire family. This is not an easy road. I hope you have help along the way.

If you ever want to vent or talk please fill free to instant message or pm me. I am ready, willing, and able to talk.

 

[Wildwood]

The Common Bonds of Caregiving

This blessed me. It's so true. Only another caregiver could understand and express what we feel.

Thank you for the post!

 

[nanajojo]

My heart goes out to all of you . I too am a caregiver for my husband for the past 20 years. he had kidney failure at 35 years and a transplant the following year which brought on numerous problems from cyptococco menigitis to shingles in the ears to heart problems to on and on not forgetting the mental problems depression and border line bipolar I find myself asking him Now What? I hate myself for that but my life is around him and that is what he expects. BOO HOO THERE I SAID IT Jo forgive me Lord

 

[Ritz]

I'd like to add to this,maybe just to write and get things outside of myself.It's at times overwhelming and I lack belief things will improve much more than they have.I often ask God-why me? I know the answer though,because He chose us to care for the child that is now a teen.
My son is 14 and TBI(traumatic brain injury) and Autism. The autism was diagnosed in his toddler years,the brain injury occured when he was 6. He needs alot done for him,he cannot help this.Loss of left arm/hand and low mobility,on top of anger and sensory issues.Anyways,life here is a challenge.