Fearless Caregiver Profile: Benita Bernadette Bettard

How did you become the caregiver for your loved one?

My husband suffered his fourth but massive ischemic stroke in 2012.  He had two craniotomies and was in nursing home. I brought him home to care for him in November 2013.

Has your relationship changed with the loved one that you are caring for? If so how?

It has shifted to mostly caretaker. He had aphasia so ways of communicating have changed.

What is the hardest thing about being a caregiver and the most rewarding thing?

Lack of support from others and challenges to everyday living and social life.  It’s rewarding to be if service with something that keeps you cognizant of  the intervention of a divine power in today’s society.

What advice would you give to other caregivers?

Keep your faith strong and don’t give up.  When feeling overwhelmed.. back up, clear your mind and start afresh the next day.

In ten words or less, what has caregiving taught you?

Caregiving taught me that miracles indeed do happen if you hold steadfast.

Describe a situation where being a Fearless Caregiver helped you succeed?

My husband was in coma.  The insurance was threatening to deny further coverage and throw us out of nursing home.   I was able to get a video of comatose husband lifting his paralyzed leg and demanded that this was progressing and he was allowed to stay.

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Fearless Caregiver Profile: Join us as we celebrate Fearless Caregivers sharing personal stories as we care for our loved ones. Read this week’s Fearless Caregiver Profile and feel free to add your profile as well, so we can learn from and share with our fellow caregivers.