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A Love Letter for Yourself, Read if you Care!
[ Healthy Living ] BY AMANDA BUCK
SPONSORED BY CANNON PHARMACY
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None of us are exempt from being a caregiver. As Rosalyn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”
So, how can I sum up caregiving on one small page when I could fill pages that would overflow a library? To make sure we are on the same page:
Who are you caregiving for and why are you caregiving? People care for young infants, children with special needs, spouses/aging parents with health conditions, and caregiving includes caregiving for yourself.
When are you caregiving and what are you doing when caregiving? Caregiving can be short term (e.g. caregiving during the flu or broken bone), or long-term. This may mean bathing, dressing, feeding, helping with finances, serving as their memory.
Where are you caregiving? It can be inside the person’s home, over the phone, at the doctor’s office or school meetings.
How are you caregiving? If I said that that a person tends to “care like a bear” do you think of bear hugs-because you love that person, or do you think of the Mama Bear caregiving, where it brings out your biggest claws (e.g. stress of caregiving, professionals “just don’t understand,” or feeling of no one supporting youbecause you have to advocate every step of the way, or maybe somewhere in between)?
The truth is caregiving can be a “bear” and misunderstood until it becomes personal. It would be a mistake to assume you must give “of” yourself more than you give time “to” yourself. That leaves you with guilt, anger, and depression, and burnout. You are not alone, and your emotions are real. This is where you must care for yourself.
Our community outreach team at Cannon Pharmacy is willing to speak with you and walk alongside you through the caregiving journey. From practical solutions to groups in the community, there is help for you! Call us at 704-886-0840 x 3007.
