As a caregiver, it is important to look on the positive side

There are times in which you may get upset and frustrated as a caregiver. The best way to handle it all is to keep busy, run errands and do your own thing and doing what needs to be done as a caregiver. It can get overwhelming at times, but taking time for

yourself is essential. There are things you can do in that situation: try a hobby or volunteer at your religious institution by working in the food pantry and you may feel refreshed enough to get back to your caregiving routine.

If possible, join a caregiver support group, hang out with your friends and educate yourself on health information since the knowledge will help you grow more confidential and caregiving tasks will not be that difficult.

In caring for a loved one, be open to change knowing that each day may bring a new chance to do whatever it is that you want to do; it is hard to wake up on a positive note each day when you have so many things and emotions to deal with, but one must not let sickness, sorrow or pain consume them. You must have faith to find the strength needed to continue on.

(Adapted from an article by Aida F appearing in Today’s Caregiver magazine)

Once again, we are presenting a real-time life experience between a caregiver and their client:

THE CLIENT: An 87-year-old female wife of a husband from the Eastern part of the United States who used to run a large company as the CEO and always having his orders carried out quickly.

THE CAREGIVER: A long-time female caregiver who was well-experienced handling demanding clients.

WHAT HAPPENED: The caregiver and the CEO often thrashed when he demanded that a “situation” always be in his favor!”

RESULT: After many “clashes.” the caregiver decided it was time to attempt to make the CEO see that everything he demanded could not sit well with the caregiver. One day, in the midst of a “mild confrontation,” the caregiver had to walk away to another room and “calm down” before returning to confront the situation and wait for more appropriate time to rectify the problem. It came a few days later when she was taking care of the CEO’s wife who had a trachometry and had a ventilator in her throat. The CEO had left to go do some shopping, leaving the caregiver and the client alone. Ten minutes passed and the client started to gasp for breath. The caregiver, fortunately had had experience dealing with such a situation and used it by opening up the ventilator to help the client breathe properly, saving her life.

When the CEO returned, the wife explained exactly what happened. Both he and the CEO kissed the caregiver…and there was never a demanding scene again.

ADVICE & REPORTS FROM VARIOUS CARING RESOURCES…

AND ACTUAL EXPERIENCES FROM PRACTICING CAREGIVERS

Here are Ten Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress:

* Feeling overwhelmed

* Exhaustion

* Sleeping too much or too little

* Feelings of anger, resentment and guilt

* Loss of interest in things that were once pleasurable

* Aches, pains, headaches, physical discomfort

* Gaining or losing weight

* Constant worry and fear about the future

* Lack of concentration