Alica Roose profile
How did you become the caregiver for your loved one?
Mom has congestive heart failure. Dad turned 94 and in good health. Mom also has dementia. I have lived with them more than 4 years.
Has your relationship changed with the loved one that you are caring for? If so how?
They depend on me for everything
What is the hardest thing about being a caregiver and the most rewarding thing?
The hardest is to watch them both decline so fast. The best is the fun times of listening to their memories and funny stories. Also listening when my dad sings.
What advice would you give to other caregivers?
Make every day a new beginning. Don't carry the frustrations of yesterday into today. They probably won't remember anyway. Return anger with kindness. You only have so much time left with them. Make each moment a memory if you can.
In ten words or less, what has caregiving taught you?
Patience. Love for frustration. Cherish each moment.
Describe a situation where being a Fearless Caregiver helped you succeed?
Being a fearless caregiver has helped me be persistent when I wanted to give up. Once when my mom was being very demanding and I was at the last of my energy, I stopped and asked myself, Is this something worth my energy getting angry over?
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.