No words can express just how special a person is to become a full-time caregiver. There is a special love in the heart of someone who takes such a job. I know this because I have the best caregiver there ever was. He came into my home when I was at my worst. He never gets a day off, and is always there to provide what I need. God only knows what I would do without him.
You see this massive web site and think there is no way a person could do this who can't even tie her own shoes. Well, what you see is what is completed. You don't see all the breaks I take, and the many times this web site is unattended because I am unable to move, much less, type on a computer. The fact that this web site has gotten as big as it has is a result of my determination to remain useful, and the support of those who visit it. It may take some time, but it always gets done, and the web site gets updated and maintained.
Because I have a full-time caregiver, I wanted to do a special page devoted to them. I wanted to let everyone know that all caregivers are special and deserve to be supported in all their efforts.
We must never forget those special people who give so freely of their time and efforts to help those who are unable to do things for themselves. There is no honor high enough to reward their efforts.
(Author unknown)
(The site does not exist anymore where this came from originally.)
I have the right . . .
* To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capacity to take better care of my relative.
* To seek help from others even though my relative may object. I recognize the limits of my endurance and strength.
* To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonable can for this person, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.
* To get angry, be depressed and express other difficult feelings occasionally.
* To reject any attempt by my relative (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, anger or depression.
* To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness and acceptance for what I do from my loved one for as long as I offer these qualities in return.
* To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my relative.
* To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my relative no longer needs my full-time help.
* To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired older persons in our country, similar strides will be made toward aiding and supporting caregivers.
Add your own statements of rights to this list. Read the list to yourself every day.
You may visit National Family Caregivers Association for more information and support.
Caregivers need to find support. Many web sites are available to help, but are mostly geared at those which take care of the elderly. Don't get me wrong this page is for all caregivers, but people need to understand it is not just the elderly who are relying on caregivers these days. Help for caregivers by caregivers Caregiver. They can help give you information to help you cope with the problems related to taking care of someone whether the person is elderly or not.
I know taking care of me is no picnic at times. We tend to get grouchy, cranky, and down right mean to those who help us the most. Our inability to get around and do things for ourselves makes us miserable patients at times. The caregivers get the full range of our frustration directed at them. This and many other problems makes the stress they deal with more then most of us could imagine.
What is Caregiving?
The Six Stages of Caregiving
* Stage 1. I may help a relative soon.
* Stage 2: I am beginning to help.
* Stage 3: I am helping.
* Stage 4: I am still helping!
* Stage 5: My role is changing.
* Stage 6: My caregiving has ended
Taken from Family Caregiving 101.
Please visit National Family Caregivers Association
