You Are Not Alone: Caregivers Share Their Experiences
Long-term caregiving can be isolating and lonely, which is why peer support is so vital to a caregiver’s mental, emotional, and physical health. More than a decade ago, I searched for other caregivers with whom I could share my journey and discovered that connecting was difficult. This experience led me to write “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories__.”
Thankfully, during this past decade, because of technology along with other awareness efforts, caregiver support has exploded with resources and professional help. Still, caregivers long to connect personally with each other and share, on an intimate level, what they’ve learned. The stories below are examples of that sharing spirit. Caregiving will change your life both positively and negatively, but these caregivers make it clear that you don’t have to go through it alone.
Being a young caregiver: Sara Given – Connecticut
While all caregiving has its commonalities, being a young caregiver has its own unique challenges. Being thrust into a caregiver role at a young age, when my mom had a debilitating stroke, I was faced with all the “common” caregiver challenges but at a time in my life when it was least expected. I immediately left my burgeoning career, my apartment, and my friends to move back home to care for her. Innocence is lost when surrounded by sickness and a sea of responsibility. I felt so alone; even though my friends and family tried to be supportive, they could not relate. Once tragedy strikes, freedom and innocence are hard to get back. Being a caregiver, especially at a young age, is a huge sacrifice. I don’t regret…
Continue reading on HealthCentral for more stories from caregivers:
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
Support a caregiver or jump-start discussion in support groups with real stories – for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol
