Welcome to Caregiver Friday!
I’ve been thinking about all the responsibilities that you, a caregiver, take on when someone you love is diagnosed with a chronic or other life-altering illness. It’s mind-boggling the amount of stress involved (thus the term caregiver stress) and the commitment to your loved one to help them through this challenging time in their life. When we think about caregiving it’s easy to believe that once you begin this journey it’s never-ending, but that’s not the care. The obvious ending of the caregiver role is if your loved one dies, but there is another time when this may be the case; when your loved one is doing better.
This last hiatus in caregiving would apply to those patients who are in remission and I’m not just talking about cancer. If the symptoms and disease progression are at a standstill then it may not require you to devote so much time to caregiving. I began thinking about this yesterday when I went to the doctor and we had our usual discussion about my health. I’m in an in-between state of my bodies rhythm where it could go either way depending on the next steps by me, the new medication I was prescribed and how my body reacts. Up until recently things have been smooth sailing, so is the case for many patients, and then there’s a precipitating event require the support of you, a caregiver.
How do you feel about stepping in and out of the caregiver role? Is it easier to be in caregiver mode all the time, or are you comfortable stepping in and out of the role as needed? It’s an interesting question, and a question that you may need to wrestle with depending on the diagnosis and disease progression of the one you love. It can be confusing to know when and where you need to step in as a caregiver unless you and the patient have well-defined parameters and a solid foundation for your communication.
This is one of the reasons that it’s so important for caregivers to have a support system for themselves. The possible revolving door type of caregiving is becoming more and more prominent as new medical treatments are coming on the market helping patients on the journey to health and healing become better or well.
How do you feel about this type of caregiving? It would help all of us if you would share your coping strategies, simply hit the comment button and share your thoughts or you can always e-mail me at greg@survivingstrong.com.
Pilgrim Pathway/Surviving Strong 
It’s so easy to keep in a pattern and keep giving care (not to mention worrying) about our loved one in this time, but caregivers need to take whatever respite they can get. I was reading the St Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System blog on caregiver tips, and it’s important for caregivers to really take care of themselves sometimes as well.
Caregiver stress is a HUGE potential problem. So often caregivers hesitate to ask for help, or don’t know where to ask. Caregivers often are isolated from their usual support system as they focus on giving care.
For me having a care recipient become well enough to not need my caregiving at least for awhile gives me great joy. And I’m delighted to step in and out of the role as caregiver, because when I step out it means the care recipient is doing better.
Is the Threat of a Hurricane Increasing Your Caregiver Stress?