25 Random Things . . . from a Family Caregiver
I was tagged on my personal Facebook profile to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about me. I thought it would be fun to do this with my family caregiver hat on and see what I could come up with for you.
But I’d love to take this a step further.
I want to hear 2 (not 25) things about you in the comments section here.
My List of 25 Random Things About Caregiving
1. I’ve been a caregiver for about 11 years. The first two years were long distance.
2. I’ve known Golden Oldies living in many different types of settings: independent senior communities, assisted living facilities, board and care homes, and nursing homes.
3. There are days I’m tired of this role and just don’t want to do it any more.
4. There are many more days when I’m grateful to be in this role and get much fulfillment from it!
5. I’ve made lasting friendships with other residents’ family members wherever my Golden Oldies have lived.
6. I’ve learned there are no perfect caregiving facilities.
7. I’ve learned there are no perfect caregivers, although some professional caregivers I know are definitely angels on this earth!
8. Hospice is a wonderful resource, and not to let the word scare me.
9. It takes a village to be a family caregiver. Some who live in my village and make my caregiving experience easier include doctors, nurses, paid caregivers, hospice workers and volunteers, musician, artist, immediate and extended family, accountant, lawyer, rabbi, and friends.
10. No matter what age they live to, it’s incredibly hard when a parent dies.
11. Music and humor connect all people, no matter what our sex, age or backgrounds are.
12. I’ve learned to do research but also follow my instincts when making caregiving decisions.
13. It’s important to take care of my mental, physical and spiritual health every day.
14. Being a caregiver is teaching me how I want to live when I’m a Golden Oldie.
15. Keeping a positive attitude is vital, but sometimes very hard to do.
16. Sharing photos, old and new, with my Golden Oldies is one of my favorite activities.
17. Family caregivers wear many hats: advocate, bookkeeper, unofficial nurse’s aide, translator, communication specialist, entertainer, chef, financial planner, power of attorney, therapist, chauffeur, and more. Whew — no wonder we get tired!
18. Yoga and dancing are my means of physical exercise and my mental escape hatches, too.
19. No matter what culture we live in, family caregivers are not so different.
20. It doesn’t happen overnight — I grew into being a family caregiver. (And that’s even true when you’re thrust into it due to a medical emergency, such as a broken hip. ) It just takes time to figure out how to do all this stuff! And I’m still learning.
21. I became a caregiver when my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1998. She is now 99-1/2 and in the late stage of the disease. Dad passed away at age 98 in 2005.
22. Blogging has been an excellent way to share what I’ve learned with people worldwide and to connect with other incredible caregivers and eldercare professionals.
And here are a few random things about me:
23. I love the arts – books, movies, theater, and dance, to name just a few I’m crazy about.
24. I’ve been playing mah jongg once a week with a group of friends in my neighborhood for 12 years now.
25. Traveling the world is my goal. So far I’ve been to a large part of the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico and London (and the outskirts). Got lots more to see here and abroad.
Remember to write 2 things about you in the comments section below. Go!
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I like to get away for a change to be with some friends and have a bit of male bonding. When I do, I can not wait to get back home!
I too practice yoga as a fitness method and supplement it with meditation and solving cross word puzzles as means to keep myself, physically, mentally and intellectually fit.
You write, “There are days I’m tired of this role and just don’t want to do it any more.” — YEP!
My two things:
I’m a big Sci Fi buff, and I hope to finish my sci fi’ish techno thriller this year.
For all my toughness and tough-mindedness (Black Belt, EMT, former volunteer firefighter), I get tired of being the competent and capable one.
I now love you even more.
Support groups for caregivers can be a godsend.
Hospice is just a name for a status, not a place.
Our book (now an online course) is being used by caregivers
as well as patients (Dying 101).
Eldercare is not for the insensitive, the non-compassionate, nor
the impatient. Nor for the immature.
I love what you wrote.
Hi rummuser,
I am glad you are taking good care of yourself. You make me smile when you write, “When I do, I can not wait to get back home!” You mean male bonding isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?
Hi Lori,
I would love to read your sci fi book when it’s done! Best wishes on completing it this year! Yes, being the “strong” one can get old.
Hi Richard,
I love you too, my dear friend! I didn’t know your book is now also an online course — wonderful. We’ll have to talk about it when we get together.
I loved reading your 25 Random things.
Here are two about me.
1. I care for my parents, 83 and 89 and my 47 y.o. handicapped sister
2. Although there are times that caregiving is challenging, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Dear Mary,
Thanks for sharing. You do have your hands full with three care recipients, and I understand why you say you wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks for caring so strongly about your parents’ and sister’s welfare!
I have been family caregiving off and on for 30 years, it is the greatest personal reward ever.
I wish I would of known about this site long before finding it through Twitter, TODAY.
Hi Lillie,
Welcome to TLeC! So glad you found the blog and our great community here. Thank you for your kind words about my site. Looking forward to reading more comments from you on new posts, too.