Gary Barg, Editor-in-Chief
This week, one of my wishes comes true: I become a Beatles song. Unfortunately, not Baby You're A Rich Man. I’ll give you a hint, “will you still need me will you still feed me when I’m 64? (I’ve waited 50 years for this honor!)
Another thing that I want to share this week is an article that I’ve brought out in modified fashion only twice before; but seems quite fitting these days. The first time was right after 9/11 and the second time was in 2008 at the beginning of the Great Recession.
It is entitled:
A Time for Fearlessness: This year, we are all caregivers
We caregivers know a lot about fearlessness. When a disease or illness enters our life; each day becomes a struggle for the very soul of our family. These battles are waged in doctor’s offices, cold radiology waiting rooms and midnight trips to hospital emergency rooms.
And since there are 66.7 million caregivers in the country today, chances are good that you or someone you love wages these battles on a daily basis. My own role as caregiver started when I returned home to Miami from Atlanta, where I had been living for the past few years. It was late 1994 and I was going home to help my mother care for my grandparents. My grandmother had been experiencing “mini-strokes” or TIA’s and my grandfather was first showing signs of dementia. Mom had been caregiver once before, for my dad, who retired in 1990 and developed bone marrow cancer within months, passing away in 1991.
When my dad became ill, I would come back to Miami almost every month, but it was not until returning to Florida full-time to help care for my grandparents that I knew what a “black hole” my mom had been living in during those past few years. She had become nurse, insurance expert, medications manager and social worker to her parents, each day creating more opportunities for fear, stress and depression.
Any year can be tough for caregivers and the news about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the effects it seems to have on people with suppressed immune systems and seniors is especially concerning for us as family caregivers.
So, what can you and your family do? The same as caregivers always do: stand up for your loved one’s needs among your family members at the same time you advocate for him or her in the healthcare system. Follow the latest facts received only by accredited sources. Know what support you need from your friends and family and how to piece-meal out these responsibilities and most important of all, take care of yourself.
Do not forget to communicate with your loved one and your family members about your fears. Fear can grow to a point where it chokes your family’s ability to share feelings as tensions mount. The world can all learn a lot from caregivers; we have been at war with fear, grief and depression every single day as we fight for our loved one’s health and well-being. We just need to remember to fight for our own health and well-being, as well.
As with everything I’ve seen for these many years from my position as the Fool on the Hill (yes, another Beatles reference), family caregivers possess the strength and support your loved ones and community need.
This year, we are all caregivers.
Share your questions, concerns or suggestions in the comments below