The Sacrifices Made by Caregivers Are Unique
One question that is often asked on the AgingCare.com Caregiver Forum is, “How do I deal with the reality of leaving behind the life I had to become the primary caregiver for my aging loved one?” The plain truth is that assuming the responsibility of caring for another person dramatically alters one’s life. This change can happen abruptly, or it can subtly creep in over time. Either way, most caregivers are eventually struck by the realization that their present situation is nothing like the past and nowhere near what they had envisioned for the future. So, how do we cope?
It may sound selfish to some, but, to those who dove into caregiving with full hearts and no planning, then ended up in a months or even years-long commitment, this is a perfectly rational question. People put their lives on hold to care for those they love—an admirable gesture. But when “on hold” becomes the new norm, a mental adjustment must be made. This usually includes acknowledging and dealing with difficult emotions like resentment.
Adjusting to the New Normal: Most caregivers take on this new role out of love and with good intentions. They rarely stop to think, “Hmm, this could go on for years… I’d better take a step back and make some plans first.” We don’t pause to think about what we’re getting into or weigh our options. We don’t hash out whether we should keep working full-time or move to part-time or if we’ll have to wind up quitting altogether. We don’t immediately ponder the impact that this new role will have on our children, our spouse, our bottom line, or our own happiness.
We may have reservations but still rush in simply because we know we’re needed. It’s up to us to help, so we do what we must in the moment. But those weeks, months, and even years of just squeaking by can have lasting consequences on our relationships, savings, career, retirement, and physical and mental health. No matter what age…
Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. “For anyone having to walk the last segments of life with a loved one, read this.” …Delores
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