Nursing is one of the hardest jobs in the world, but when you have to take care of your own family, it is not only physically difficult, but also mentally harder, so it’s great to celebrate and support family caregivers throughout November!
For more than 7 years, I have been taking care of my husband every day. He was in his 40s when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Within a year, he suffered from dementia and had hallucinations, and he was incurable. . I never thought that I would take care of my husband with “elderly” disease at such a young age. I cried many times and tried to protect our family from the troubles we are going through, not only for them, but also for My husband… he made me promise that I won’t let my children be affected. Although I knew it was impossible, because of his explosion and his feelings, I tried to understand his feelings, and of course his feelings. “right“His own healthcare decisions and privacy, when we share them, are exactly when he wants them.
It is difficult to be a caregiver for family members. Those who are struggling every day deserve to be celebrated and supported, so I decided to share and celebrate those who take on tasks with love and courage to let them know that they are not alone!
Home Nursing Staff Statistics
- About 44 million unpaid Caregiver for adults 65 years and older in the United States. In this group, nine out of ten people are caring for elderly relatives, while most people are caring for their parents.
- According to the National Caregiver Network, “Approximately 66% of family caregivers are women. Over 37% of children or grandchildren are under the age of 18. 1.4 million children between the ages of 8 and 18 provide care for their adult relatives; 72% of them are currently Taking care of their parents or grandparents, 64% of people “live in the same family as the people they care for”.
Taking care of my family is difficult. In Chapter 11 of my book “Toggle”, I talked about when I was struggling from wife to caregiver:
“Several weeks or even months have passed, and my relationship with Tim has become a caregiver instead of a wife. After returning from the cruise, I met with the doctors and psychologists recommended by the health center. There is nothing I can do about him except to stay active and active. This is the only thing I can do for his dementia. They told me about his plan for admission and long-term care facilities, but this is not something I am interested in. I know me You can do it yourself, although other people have started to notice Tim now. I want him to stay at home with my children, even though I only told our children and my parents about his dementia. Every month, Tim still He insisted on going to Las Vegas to visit his father and family. It was only a five-hour drive. This trip gave Tim some expectations. We have been doing this for many years and this is part of Tim’s “timetable”, let He felt like life was normal. Because I knew his father was safe, I didn’t tell anyone about his dementia. When Tim was suddenly and sometimes aggressive, I just told everyone that it was Parkinson’s. He Today was a terrible day. Once, he even said to me, “You might as well give me a bed in this place”… On some trips, this is tempting.“
As you can see, family caregivers try to keep their lives positive and positive…but they still have the idea of giving up and let others take care of them, and the feeling of being alone and not knowing whether they are doing the right thing happens every time A caregiver, especially when the person they care for insists on keeping it secret!
So this month I ask you if you know someone, a friend or family member who is a family carer… Take time to celebrate them, help them, and most importantly support them. This is a job they must respect the right to privacy. The person you are caring for, even if you are a family member of the sick person, may not be able to share what they are going through. This may be difficult to understand, because if they share it may make their job more difficult, and the caregiver does not want to give Known for being burdened by others!
Ways to support family caregivers
- Ask if there is anything you can do, and do your best to complete it!
- Listen, really listen, sometimes the caregiver just needs to speak and be heard!
- Help by sitting or caring for relatives for a few hours.
- Setting up groceries or meals to be delivered may involve local churches or groups willing to help.
- Buy gift cards that can deliver meals for caregivers and relatives.
- Set up a day for caregivers, let them spend a special day, let you worry-free, only one day a month is such a gift!
- Purchase supporting materials, such as books, DVDs, or inspiring CDs.
- If you have a problem and the caregiver is uncomfortable talking about it, don’t put it on the individual, try to understand and ask the person being cared for, they may have asked the caregiver not to talk about certain things. The caregiver is worried enough not to be “tottering”!
Since nursing and healthcare needs are in areas where I have a master’s degree, degree, and professional education, please take a moment to read:
