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IMNSHO: The Top Ten Things NOT to say to a Caregiver

Caregivers | Last Active: Nov 29, 2023 | Replies (46)

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@jhilbish

I am NOT the caregiver type at all!! My Mom had a girl that came in and helped as her Alzheimer's progressed. She heard me on the phone before leaving and she said, I could never do that! You are so impressive, one hell of a businesswoman. I said, no, I am in total awe of what you can do. I had tears in my eyes thinking I can't take care of my Mom. Am I a monster? But as things got worse, I had parents moved to fla. where I was so I could help out. Even in assisted living, it's a big job. Dad had emphysema so it was a lot! In Dad's last stages, he was so fragile, the girl that we brought in to shower Dad was too rough when she washed his hair. he asked if I could help. We did not have that type of relationship. I had never seen my father in his underwear, and he was white collar, country club. I was the black sheep. Those precious moments while showering Dad, we had more laughs, tears and honesty than we had ever had. Sometime beautiful things can happen. I gag when I see a kids diaper getting changed, can't wrap gifts, so I'm not the Mommy type. When you are needed, you become capable of things you never knew possible before......God Bless Everyone

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Replies to "I am NOT the caregiver type at all!! My Mom had a girl that came in..."

@jhilbish Yes, "you do what you have to do" is often what people say. Probably true. But still, as I think of caregiving, it seems mostly about heroics. Hard work has been my whole life, and it still is. I don't mind all kinds of labor, physical and intellectual. Another aspect of caregiving is that it often happens when the caregiver is already old, and needs help himself, or at least, would like some help. It can make old age miserable.