CARE GIVING IS GIVING CARE

Tender Mercies - Sweet and Bitter - For Better or Worse

CAREGIVING

Caregiving is a bitter sweet adventure.  When our loved one needs us in more ways than we ever imagined, we want to support their independence and comfort.  

It’s sweet love.

Then our back aches, the medicine schedule interrupts our schedule, we are doing more driving, scheduling medical appointments - all infringing on our planned activities.  It can become exhausting and turn us into the frustrated one.

I have learned two tips.

Remind yourself and your loved one it’s not them you are upset with, impatient with.  It is the situation and that won’t change.  So how can we navigate these changes and keep our relationship loving, fun and strong.

Each team/couple is unique.  Don’t assume you are doing something “wrong”. 

Do what works for you.  That’s what is right.

The second tip -

make a small sign with these two words - your prescription  - no drugs will help 

BUT

PATIENCE and. ACCEPTANCE

will!

I made a few index cards with these words written on them and placed them where I see them multiple times a day.   A gentle reminder.

Doesn’t change the reality of caregiving, but helps me pause, breathe and remember what a joy this person is to me, for better or worse.