Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Eldercare Is TOUGH Work!

Eldercare is tough work.  Chances are you have experienced, are presently experiencing, or will experience caring for a loved one as they age.  The hardest part, I believe, is getting the caregiver to care for themself.  As the daughter of a mother with dementia and a daughter-in-law of an aging mother-in-law, I understand the pulls on daily life that are placed when trying to give good care for those we love.

So, how do you care for the caregiver?  The first thing is time.  Time is probably the very thing you feel you have the least of.  Oh, I know money is always needed.  However, if you had all the money in the world, you still would not have more hours in a day.  Whether you are living as the poorest or the richest person in the world, you only have 168 hours in a week.  The question is this.  How will you spend those 168 hours?

If we look at the 168 hours in a week as a beginning balance on Sunday morning, we may feel we have loads of time to play with during the next seven days.  Actually, that is true.  What I have found is we spend those hours as recklessly as we spend the money earned in that paycheck every Friday!  It is my recommendation you look at that beginning balance of 168 hours, subtract time to sleep, time to eat, time to do the things you need to do each week, and set aside some of the remaining time to do something you enjoy.  That “something” may be catching up on your favorite television show, spending time with friends, going to the park, or (prepare yourself for this one) going for a walk.  We will talk more about that option soon. 

So, spend some time this week caring for YOURSELF!  Come back soon and LISTEN TO MY BRAIN RATTLE!  


 

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