The first in a series for dementia family caregivers. Amy Matthews is someone I deeply respect. She is the person I collaborate with on dementia articles for the website. She is the person I went to for guidance on my new book for dementia family caregivers. When I first heard her say, “You are the most important person in this caregiving scenario, not the person living with … [Read more...]
Wait, what? Now that caregiving has ended, I can plan ahead for a vacation in 2024?
I still can’t wrap my head around being able to take a vacation. I have friends in California who cruise to the most amazing places. I am happy to hear about their plans for the next cruise through the Mediterranean or the Panama Canal and how cool it is to visit Antarctica. But I must admit, as happy as I was for them, I was jealous as well. It wasn’t just the amazing … [Read more...]
The Feeling of Waiting for The Other Shoe to Drop Does Not End When Caregiving Ends.
Fight, Flight or Freeze (Acute Stress Response) are all psychological trauma responses that caregivers know well. You hear caregivers say, “I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop.” That’s because we are constantly on edge waiting for the next crisis that will upend our life and require interaction with the healthcare system, insurance company, home care agency or … [Read more...]
How Do I Reclaim My Life Now That Caregiving Has Ended?
When we become caregivers, so much of our life is put on hold. Then when it ends, we realize how profoundly the experience of caregiving changes us. The question I’ve been struggling with lately is how do I want to live my life now? How do I renew my life in a way that honors who I am today? Do I want to take back the pieces I put on hold or try something different? I am … [Read more...]
Dealing With Grief Relief.
I hated my mother’s wheelchair. It was heavy, cumbersome and crazy difficult to get in and out of my SUV. I was worried that the time was coming when I would not be able to handle it by myself and it would curtail our visits to family, going for a ride or to dinner. Yet, it was this wheelchair that set off my first major meltdown after mom died. I handed off the wheelchair … [Read more...]