Gifts for Caregivers

@ginger
Yes she was. Mary is the sister I never had. There is something special about her. We will remain good friends.
Because of the unpredictability of seizures and being alone, I’m not going to use the stove or oven unless someone is here and to be perfectly honest, probably not even then. Not that I ever used it much.
Jake

@jakedduck1 You have been through so much this past week, but we’re all thinking about you and wishing you the best.

Thank you for the kind words for caregivers. My husband is disabled and can't work but he doesn't need my physical support, although he needs heaps of emotional support. My problem is that as a caregiver, my clients usually have mental issues along with physical. So when I come home I have very little left to provide emotional support at the end of the day. I just told my husband the truth, what I just said. He now sees a counselor to help him help himself emotionally. Sigh...

@georgette12 you must be mentally and emotionally exhausted by the end of your day. I’m sure it is difficult for you to not be able to provide the emotional support your husband needs. That’s great that he is seeing a counselor, I hope that will give him the help he needs. It sounds as if he understands your position, and I suspect that on weekends you are able to support him more than you can during your work week. You can only do so much, and you have to take care of yourself too. If you don’t you can’t help anyone.
JK

I’m glad you told your husband the truth @georgette12 . He may have known, deep down, that he was adding to your burden. Have you thought about going to the counselor together? Just sometimes. When I first got sick, my husband would occasionally go with me, partly to support me and to reinforce what the counselor said, but also to learn what he could do to help. Does this sound like something you might do?

Thank you for the input on maybe seeing a counselor with my husband re caregiving and emotional support. He saw his own counselor today who encouraged him to invite me to a session if I'd like to go. I said I'd go anytime.

I can say as a caregiver, the thing I would appreciate is that other's realizes that everything is a catastrophe for the one who is ill or having conditions that intensify as time goes on. Phone calls, can I pick you up something to eat, how are you and really mean it. Small talk is wonderful in a large setting. But what I mean is helpful, thoughtful and don't pretend as a caregiver it sticks out like a sore thumb. I have other support people. Unfortunately family tends to go on like everything is ok. My brother has the same condition as my spouse. He still calls and he is in the end stage of Parkinsons! I think it hurts the most when you hear nothing and you call without hardly anything related to what is happening. I know other's do not wish to hear bad news..but you are living it along with your loved one. Please know I have a listening ear and I will help where I can.

I don't take it for granted. Believe me I have seen awesome caregivers doing a remarkable and hard vocation. You have to have the heart to help.

My partner was in very poor health. When i recoonected with a friend, this friend would stay w her when i ran errands just to ease her mind. This friend was a godsend!!!!!

I have a friend like that as well! Calls and asks thoughtful questions.
She bought a great pie to eat! We laugh and enjoy each other. My spouse does enjoy her as well. Hugs to everyone!