for all you caregivers out there

Mrs mac .......I did the same as you did for many yrs ,in fact owned my own retirement home here in Ontario ...........Mom worked in the office (also a geriatric nurse ) and my Dad in the kitchen with both brothers working there as well .......one is a male nurse the other a maintenance man for the building...........so I do know what it is like to be able to go home after the shift BUT I always got so darn close with the patients anyways so I still would worry about them especially those without family..........This is a very difficult thing to do but I get many rewards doing it and I feel I am the better of all my siblings to do this as they just want to put parents in home and I will not allow this ........at least not with breath in my body.........thank you for taking the time to recognise the "caregiver".........God Bless .....Lyn

I was a full time CNA for 30 yrs caring for the eldely,with & without AD.It's a hard job.

This is a GREAT thread.

God Bless anyone who caretakes for their own family or friends.

I was a CNA also and a senior advocate. I'd go to the Nursing Home on my days off to be sure they got fed O.K. and got put to bed 'gently'.

My favorite patients were the Alzheimer patients, but if my own Dad developed it, it would just about kill me from a broken heart. I just couldn't bare if he got it.
I pray all the time that he'll pass, in his sleep and with his mind in tact. He's a very young and full of vigor 87, very healthy and on no meds at all. He even went to Italy with his sweetheart this last Sept.

So although I loved caring for my patients, I would find it unbearable to see my own family member or friend go through it.

So I very deeply admire those family members or friends, who caretake their own loved ones.

Kudos indeed.

God Bless all of you.

Ann

Hi crohns hubby, my hat goes of to you dear sir. it's never easy for the husband to be the caregiver but you men never fail to amaze me. you see my husband is my main caregiver & is absolutely wonderful. I have cirhosis from prescription drugs. It can be heartbreaking for both sides. But our spouses can be our biggest support & reason to keep going . Keep up the good work & know that all you caregivers are so greatly appreciated & loved.later....

Dear crohnsHubby,

Thank you so much for your post.  I'll be praying for ALL of you wonderful people.

You said, something so deeply profound in your post, I'll probably remember it forever now.

You said, """...it does break her heart to see them like this but at least she is still making memories with them"""

"But at least she is still making memories with them !"  Wow.  That is so intense a love.

You've changed my perspective from my earlier post here today.  Thank You so much.

I'm sort of speechless right now, but I thank you again and wish Lyn health, and yourself and strength to the household.

God Bless you all.

Ann

As my hubby said I would be reading these posts lol.......I look at it this way my parents looked after me changed my soiled diapers ,fed me bathed me, they did it all and I remember it was done with LOVE........They never made me feel that it was a "job" for them to do all they could for us kids ,but more like an adventure .....learning as we grew,by our mistakes and theirs.......we were always treated as "gifts"........not saying we didnt get the switch once in awhile cuz we did for sure lol.......thats why it hurts me so much that my siblings cannot and will not take the time to be with them or do things with them ,and 3 out of 4 of us live right here here in town ( 5 min away).........but I am getting so many wonderful silly and some really funny memories with both my parents that they wont ever have ..........it is their loss .....our daughter goes over and listens to Papa talk about the "old days over and over" and does not complain.........she knows what is going on I have taught her all about AD and she grew up in a retirement home environment.............Empathy is one of Cait's most beautiful qualities and for that I am so thankful.........Yes it can be a hard job at times but again they didnt stop their "job" with us kids right so I feel I will be the one that wins in the end myself my hubby/daughter........we love doing what we do and if there comes a time when Cait cannot face seeing her Nana and Papa like they are I will understand..........it is hard for me so I know it has to be for her as well ......She loves coming home and telling us stories of things they did while she was there and she is grinning from ear to ear with a sparkle in her eyes .........sometimes a few tears ........but she carries on and she to has memories that no one else will ever have and that is of their own making ........I do feel bad for those that cannot for whatever reason keep their loved ones at home with them and I dont judge them either, it is rewarding but it is also very hard to do 24/7.......Thank you for all your kind words and the warmth of your posts ......it means so much to me and all the other caregivers out there .........God Bless ......Lyn

Going to Strathroy ( small town ) to do some shopping and have supper out with dad
Be well al
Luvs
Lyn

Always have Empathy .........

I hope you all read it and realize your importance in their lives
LYN

Totally agree with you Mrs Mac
Thanks for this thread
LYN

I truly do believe that caregivers DO NOT give themselves the credit they so rightly deserve
Be proud of what you do and remember when you cannot do it no more do not feel guilty

Bringiong to the top to say that I truly believe that being a caregiver is ONE of the most UNSELFISH and LOVING, caring "jobs" you can and do

LYN

God BLess the Caregiver ..........