This month would have marked my mother’s 95th Birthday. Although she passed away almost 9 years ago, my thoughts of being her caregiver have never waned. The experience forever touched my life.
Little did I know to what extent my life would be changed. I learned how to move from “caretaker” to “advocate.” I learned about honoring her wishes, and I also learned many new things about myself that I never thought possible! It was through my experience as a caregiver to her, that my values shifted. The things I hold most important today are different than what they were before I stepped into my role as a family caregiver.
I remember the feelings I had as I embraced the responsibility of being there for Mom. As I stepped into the eldercare world, I was never prepared for the new crossroads we would face as her health deteriorated. There were terms and procedures I was not familiar with. There were services out there that I had no clue about, and when I finally found someone who could help- whether it be a home care provider, a physician, a handyman, an attorney or financial professional, I had one question at the back of my mind that I continuously answered. “Can I trust you?”
Caring for a senior parent is an enormous responsibility. If you hold a Power of Attorney, not only is that individual’s financial world in their hands, if you have a healthcare directive, you are looking to them on making those final decisions when it comes to their life! Every single month, week or day, you are filled with life changing decisions.
Compile the many things family caregivers deal with in the confusing world of eldercare, no wonder they are stressed. They don’t understand where to turn, and whether or not the individual that they are speaking to, whether face to face, or on the phone is the right fit for their parent.
If you a provider that focuses on services to seniors and their families, understand that they are asking the same question! “Can they trust you?” Are you putting the right formula together to ease their minds that they have made the right decisions in their loved ones’ care? Are you keeping them in the line of communication?
If you have these types of questions, Answers for Elders is here to help you along the way. Our team spends significant time finding individuals you can trust as professional experts in over 65 categories of expertise! Check out our Decision Guide, where free resources are there for you to understand the eldercare journey a little bit more. Our radio show always features the cream of the crop in senior care, and are qualified professional who understand the many things that families endure!
Tune in on Saturdays at 1PM or Sundays at 9PM on 820AM KGNW, or 1590 KLFE, or if you are outside of Western Washington, on iHeartRadio. It’s always our goal to provide pertinent information that focuses on what you need to know for you and your family.
As caregivers, thank you for being here, and also, thank you for your noble sacrifice you make each day in helping your senior loved ones.
