As a young woman, my purpose was to take care of my family and, while I didn’t plan it, to have a career. After the children were grown, my goal was to work and take care of Dan, especially during the last four years when he struggled with dementia. After he died, I had to take care of business - insurance, accounts, bills, etc. - but soon I finished those tasks. Now, what?
Over time, I was able to rethink my purpose, which involved writing this newsletter and supporting my family. I found meaningful hobbies like traveling, tending my plants, and painting. It’s a new life - and it’s fulfilling for me.
It can be scary when we are no longer caregivers. Having a plan is a good idea.
There are plenty of websites that offer ideas.
How To Reclaim Life After Years of Caregiving - “You're not only losing a spouse, family member, or loved one, but you're also losing your job."
What Happens When Caregiving Ends - “AARP talked with several former caregivers about the struggles they faced in this major life transition. Here are some lessons they learned.”
7 Steps To Plan For After Caregiving “Life after caregiving can be incredibly beneficial. First, it helps ensure that you have a life to step into when caregiving ends. When we know what we want, we can take the steps to put it in place.”
When Caregiving Ends - “You are in a time of transition. Don’t expect to know all the answers or every step.”
Resources to Help You After Caregiving Ends - Denise Brown is an expert. I have her book, which is free if you have Kindle Unlimited.
Experience tells me that having a plan in mind for the next chapter in our lives is comforting.
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If you want to contribute to my work, consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association. This link takes you to their website. The choice is yours.
Thank you, Janice, for all the research you do. So helpful, as usual!
What a comprehensive and insightful guide to senior care navigation! I especially appreciated how you explained the role of a care navigator as a bridge between complex systems and families — “the architect” analogy really resonated.
One point that stood out: the benefit of cost-savings by avoiding wrong choices — so many families end up making hasty decisions under stress, and a navigator can help prevent that.
If anyone reading this is seeking guidance or support in arranging or coordinating senior care, I’d highly recommend checking out this additional resource: Guide2Care: Senior Care Navigation Services — it provides deeper insights and tools that complement what this post covers.
Thank you for sharing such a useful article!
https://www.guide2care.org/senior-care-navigation-services-a-complete-guide-for-american-families/