Fighting the Good Fight

Yesterday we celebrated Veteran's Day in these United States and Armistice Day in other parts of the world. It is so very fitting that this holiday also falls within National Family Caregivers Month. Many of us are caring for loved ones who have served in the armed forces from WWII to present conflicts and no one deserves our care more than those who fought for our freedom over the years.

There is yet another reason that this month is so fitting for this national holiday, for we are also all veterans of the most personal and perhaps most important war that we will ever fight- the battle against the disease or illness our loved ones face.

Think about the similarities. Mostly, we are called up to defend those we love with little or no warning, are thrust into a battle zone which includes foreign (to us) and often hostile elements and end up becoming more than we ever thought we could have been, more brave, more knowledgeable, more of a leader. The elements with which we need to have more in common with military veterans are, more training, more support, more funding and more weaponry.

Wouldn’t it be great if we had entered this battle with a greater understanding of what lay ahead, with all of our financial, medical and end-of-life wishes detailed and with a working battle plan in place detailing who are allies are and what we can count upon them to do when the time comes.

On this day when we reflect on the bravery of those who serve, we can do two things to ensure that those who will come after us are well prepared. Share your story with friends and relatives, make sure that they have all of their necessary documents in place (Living Wills, Trusts, DNR’s, Durable Powers of Attorney) and for your loved ones sake, make sure that your own documents are in order and your wishes well documented.

Like all good soldiers, sometimes we don’t care enough for ourselves while in the heat of battle, but as our military brethren well know, no war was ever won without first caring for the soldiers on the battleground.

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