New Year’s resolutions that make caregiving easier and more meaningful
Barry Jacobs has been caring for his aging mother for the past 6.5 years.
For the new year, he wrote an article for the Huffington Post titled 7 New Year’s Resolutions for Hopeful Family Caregivers.
We love the inspiration behind Barry’s resolutions. They’re intended to help make a very tough job a little easier and a lot more meaningful.
He reminds us of the things we’re most likely to forget about in the non-stop flurry of meals, medication, bathing, and cleaning.
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Our 3 favorite resolutions from Barry’s article
I will practice self-kindness “I have great expertise at finding fault with my own caregiving. It’s being kind to myself – appreciating that I’m doing the best that I can, however imperfect it often is – that is the bigger challenge.
Beating myself up degrades my morale but rarely leads to improvements in my performance. I want to see myself positively for who I am – a son who tries.”
I will be open to transformation “My mother is gradually becoming more limited in her abilities to think and express herself clearly. She is now mostly wheelchair-bound.
These changes mean change for me, too, and not just in taking on more tasks.
To really be with her, I have to be more patient and compassionate. When she is afraid, I have to reassure. This is growth that can only make me a better and more caring person.”
I will make my requests for help more specific and concrete “Another truism is that ‘Not all help is helpful.’ Lots of well-meaning people tell caregivers, ‘Let me know if I can ever be of help.’
But those undefined offers of assistance generally amount to nothing. People are much more likely to give help if the ask is as tangible – and do-able – as possible.
In 2017, I plan to reach out to others with very specific requests for discrete tasks within given time-frames.”
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By DailyCaring Editorial Team Image: Meyer & Johns Dental
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