I just wanted to thank you ,for your aticle on 8 coping strategies for caregiver stress.
It sometimes just helps to know there are people out there ,who understand someone like me .I have been a caregiver on and off most of my life for various people,besides working and raising a family.Lost my Dad @age 14 and started to work to help Mom. I understand and most people know I am a very strong person ,but the older I get my strength and health are weaker .I myself have had 19 surgeries ,mostly out patient due to the fact my Mom needing me,when I was younger fought depression ,but I am a survivor.I have been a fulltime caregiver to my Mom for 12 years now. who in the last 6 months @age 92 has alzheimers,really bad ,this to me is the hardest part of caregiving ,next to almost losing her twice last year,sometimes you feel like you yourself are losing your mind also.I get out of the house twice a month ,I have slept on the couch next to her for the last 8yrs.She freaks if I even go out of the room,I stay on the pc to keep in touch with friends and family ,I moved it in next to us ,I go outside and have baby monitors ,etc when life gets to real,I got dvds to keep her entertained ,like aquariums with piano music to sooth her,coloring books with numbers and letters for her ,my life is like that movie ground hog day ,sometimes she eats 3 to 5 breakfasts a day each after catnaps,she doesnt remember eating ,other days she has to be feed,cause she don't know what to do ,between bathing ,hair and nail care and skin care ,cause she's on cummadin and her being incontinent,laundry ,preparing food,meds ,etc.it's a full day ,I hit the ground running as the saying goes by dinner ,I am already tired ,getting about 2 to 5 hrs a night sleep and sometimes not sleeping for 3 nights@ a time when she gets bad and doesn't want to go to sleep ,tried ambien but ,it makes her more anxious,so now I use tylonol pm every now and then .Caregiving is very noble ,but it does take it toll on your body ,health,and especially your emotions,when you don't have an outlet,so again thanks for the info and the chance to vent .
Hi StrandedHeart57
Thankyou so much for your kind comments. Your life sounds as though it is very demanding at times, well at a lot of times! You have been a caregiver for many years now. What do you do when you get time for yourself. Do you have have 'me' time each week that helps you through?
Christine
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Thanks for the reminder and tips, Christine. Taking "me" time is very hard to do. I know that to be a fact. It often seems like there isn't a minute in the day. But the truth is, if caregivers don't take care of themselves, they can't be as good at caregiving as they can be, refreshed. Also, of course, it's well known that a large percentage of caregivers die before those they care for (upwards of 30%). Then what happens to the care receiver? We all need this reminder, frequently.
Carol
Another frightening statistic about the negative aspects of caregiving! As I have been reminded by caregivers, knowing what we need to do to stay healthy and finding the time is hard and can seem just another problem at times.
Thanks for your input Carol-its always helpful and interesting
Christine