How did you become the caregiver for your loved one?
My parents have had chronic health issues most of my adult life. My father passed in 2014 and I became the primary caregiver for my mom for a year and a half. At the same time, my husband was the primary caregiver for his mom who had stage 4 lung cancer.
Has your relationship changed with the loved one that you are caring for? If so how?
Arthur Mutzenbecher
Elizabeth Miller
Yes. I experienced resentment toward my parents because unlike a terminal illness, I had witnessed their poor lifestyle choices impacting everyone around them. Over the years, I have learned to accept the situation by understanding that my parents are human.
What is the hardest thing about being a caregiver and the most rewarding thing?
Managing so many competing priorities with caregiving, kids and career is one of the hardest things. It has often felt that no matter how much I was doing it was never enough. The most rewarding thing is connecting with the community of other caregivers.
What advice would you give to other caregivers?
You'll never FIND time for your own health and happiness - you have to CREATE it. Even just minutes of self-care sprinkled throughout your day can energize you to keep going. I write and share about practical ways family caregivers can integrate self-care.
In ten words or less, what has caregiving taught you?
I am more resilient, brave, and creative than I thought I was.
Describe a situation where being a Fearless Caregiver helped you succeed?
When I was mom's primary caregiver in Georgia, there was only one option to get her to her happy place in northern Michigan - by car. I was determined to make this trip happen for her. One summer, I drove solo on a trip from Michigan to Georgia.
Fill Out Your Own Fearless Caregiver Profile
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.