Not that I ever had any nursing training, but I too have been a caregiver (and still am) throughout my life thus far. To start with, our son was born with a disability when I was twenty-eight. It was a hard go in the beginning, but all the hard work has paid off with him. I am so very proud of all he has and still does accomplish
Then at the age of forty (while dealing with our son and his programs) I took on the role of main caregiver to my mother-in-law, who had dementia. I cared for her until she needed to be placed in a nursing facility. Then at 57, I became a caregiver for the third time, when my husband was diagnosised with early onset dementia at age 58. This is the last one is the hardest of all, for I am losing my partner in life.
With our son, my husband was there to carry part of the load, as with his mother, but not this time.
He has recently been placed in a facility, which was the hardest and saddest thing I've ever had to do.
So, you are right, one never knows what life has in store for you, but when it's people you love, it isn't a matter of do I want to take this on, it's a matter of what can I do to help.
(3)
Report

This is why many caregivers die before the ones being cared for - because they want to just to escape the misery and drudgery. And they do not get enough recognition but are called whiners when they get overwhelmed, which is so wrong.
(2)
Report

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter