Caregiver

Welcome to my page about caregiving to those individuals who have found themselves on an journey expected or perhaps unexpected. Preparing for this role is nearly impossible, often unpredicted and can be more than we bargained for or could possibly imagine. It can also be unrelenting. The journey varies for each of us and, as journeys go, each of us will react differently and have a diverse and contrasting set of needs to be met.

I jokingly say that I carry my own briefcase through life, which contain life tools learned and saved along the way. They are taken out and used as needed to assist me in answering a need, a situation or help me cope with a dilemma. You have your briefcase too. These tools are sometimes taught and given to us with the help of others, but primarily we ourselves put those life-learned tools safely in our briefcase to be taken out as emotionally needed. Often we aren’t taught what those emotional tools are, how they can be found, or even how to use them. But they are invaluable to us and help maintain inner happiness and a brighter outlook during a dismally demanding time. These tools can even liberate us while experiencing the day-to-day grind of caregiving to a family member or friend. So whether your loved one is waiting for a heart transplant or has already received “the gift of life,” your role of support and caregiving is an ongoing process. You need to take care of yourself along the way. You ARE important!!! You ARE valuable!!!

I am not a counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist but simply an ordinary woman who has lead an extraordinary life filled with many personal challenges. My life’s tools have been discovered along the way, collected through the years and used often with a focused determination to keep a sunny outlook. I continue to fill my briefcase to this very day with life lessons and hope that, in spite of my circumstances, I will continue to champion myself as I care for another. Won’t you join me?

In various key places in my home a have placed certain phrases or thoughts that remind or inspire me. One of them is “Carpe Diem” which means: Seize The Day…. CHOOSE to make the most of it! I have many others, but my very favorite is “The Best Is Yet To Come.” Perhaps your light is under a barrel and you don’t feel that way today as you read this. Below are some tips and information I’ve gathered that may help lighten the load of caregivers. Remember, although our journey varies and the road may curve, we do share a common highway in life. Here is a road map of ideas and information that you can follow. I especially believe in “A Caregiver’s Bill of Rights” located at the end of this page. As you read on, I sincerely hope that you’ll find a tool that you can keep in your own emotional briefcase. And once found, that tool will successfully be used by you until it becomes second nature. Then you’ll begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s there you know! Here’s to a good journey and let me hear from you!