The journey a caregiver makes is full of ups and downs. For many, it seems like an end to so much. The most important thing to remember is that you can best control the situation by letting go.
Letting go doesn’t mean letting go of your hopes and dreams. It means letting go of the need for control, and accepting your limitations. It may mean letting your loved one go to a skilled nursing facility, and accepting that it is the best choice to make. The most important aspect of caregiving is building memories. This can happen in any situation, as long as you look for the opportunities to do so, and let them happen.
Spend time visiting your loved one. Share stories, ask questions and learn as much as you can about the full life he or she has lived. Even when the time comes that your loved one cannot speak words, remember that there is power in touch. Your touch will say everything to them about how you feel.
Being a caregiver means taking on a lot of responsibility. Do not let yourself become isolated. Use this time to make new friends, and build a support network that you will treasure long after this has passed. When your loved one is gone, you can keep them alive by sharing the stories and memories with others.
Healing is a process. The journey may begin with anger and fear, but it does not have to end with sadness. Look at the journey as a caregiver as the beginning, not the end.
