Caregiver Support: The important things in life
As we enter this new year, let’s reflect on those things that are precious.
As a caregiver, I always try to stress what is important in life: your family, loved ones and memories. Take the time to cherish the time we have with those who are elderly as we do with our youngest. We will learn life lessons through caregiving. Learn to live in the present, slow down and observe what is it that I am learning today. What joy or loving moment did a just witness?
Dwell on the good things in your caregiving role. Have you found yourself smiling and someone smiling back without words? Capture a photo spontaneously to document a moment in your day. No matter how mundane a routine may become you can see that your role matters to those you care for. The one you care for expects you to be there for them, to turn to and to help them. Even without words, they show it in their behavior or actions. A simple gesture of holding hands shows caring and love. We all deserve and want to feel loved.
Making new memories. Take a new adventure by attending an event or walking in the park. Take photos to document it. Keep mementos: create a scrapbook and journal the occurrence. And share it. Make a bucket list for your loved one and yourself to complete. Having that experience of that accomplishment is rewarding. Cook or bake a new or old-time recipe and have a taste testing.
Work on a family genealogy. Ask questions, such as “What was the most fun growing up?” Your loved one may be more open if you allow silence to have a place in the conversation. Practice a 7-second silence. Allow that silence to elicit a thought from those you interview.
Record conversations to hear the voices of those interviewed. It is rewarding to have the voices, laughter or singing captured to play again.
Begin your day and end your day with a short reflection. Pray for wisdom, strength and patience to endure your caregiver role. Pray for the one you care for too. Prayer makes us stronger.
Learn your local community resources and services to assist you in your caregiving. Contact Friendship Centers of Emmet County for an assessment to qualify for home delivered meals, homemaking, personal care and respite care, or attend our support groups. Call (231) 347-3211 for more details.
Suzanne Holguin, RN, BSN, is assessment nurse and caregiver support group facilitator at the Friendship Centers of Emmet County.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Caregiver Support: The important things in life
