I also continue to be fascinated, and in some ways amazed Janice, at the new and improved understandings we seem to come to over time. Although painful, perhaps the experiences are actually needed as part of a deeper soul healing that then takes place. Stay well.
"I learned that additional factors may contribute to caregiver burnout." Wow, Janice! It feels like you wrote this section specifically for me. I found it exactly so when caring for my mother. I sorely needed someone to commiserate with THEN. It would have been so helpful. I wrote a little essay for Saturday about how we feel when our work is finished- that traumatic mix of grief and relief and not knowing what to do next.
You are doing an angel's work. You are saving someone (perhaps many) from the agony of burning out, feeling guilty about doing so, and resources to reach out to... I wish this would have been available to me when I was caring for my mother. Thank you for sharing.
Janice, I'm not sure one ever heals from this experience and certainly never forgets. But your sharing openly about your situation will surely help others along their journey. Thank you for having the courage to do that.
Such important information that you're sharing Janice. All these years later (and in no way comparing my own situation to yours) I've come to a place of replacing the word "caretaker" with "caregiver" for it seems to me that's what we were (and can still fall into if I'm not being mindful). The idea of self-care is still somewhat foreign to me but I will continue to practice implementing small pieces into my world as best I can. My Dr. was an enormous support in showing me how to be an "advocate" for my Donald which of course resulted in a wee bit of self-care in spite of myself.
Janice, this is heartbreaking but so important. I’m sorry you had to go through it in order to talk this honestly about the grueling, often thankless job of caretaker.
Caregiver Burnout
Sharron, I totally agree. Keeping it all locked inside isn't healthy.
I also continue to be fascinated, and in some ways amazed Janice, at the new and improved understandings we seem to come to over time. Although painful, perhaps the experiences are actually needed as part of a deeper soul healing that then takes place. Stay well.
"I learned that additional factors may contribute to caregiver burnout." Wow, Janice! It feels like you wrote this section specifically for me. I found it exactly so when caring for my mother. I sorely needed someone to commiserate with THEN. It would have been so helpful. I wrote a little essay for Saturday about how we feel when our work is finished- that traumatic mix of grief and relief and not knowing what to do next.
Absolutely and me too :-)
You are doing an angel's work. You are saving someone (perhaps many) from the agony of burning out, feeling guilty about doing so, and resources to reach out to... I wish this would have been available to me when I was caring for my mother. Thank you for sharing.
Janice, I'm not sure one ever heals from this experience and certainly never forgets. But your sharing openly about your situation will surely help others along their journey. Thank you for having the courage to do that.
Such important information that you're sharing Janice. All these years later (and in no way comparing my own situation to yours) I've come to a place of replacing the word "caretaker" with "caregiver" for it seems to me that's what we were (and can still fall into if I'm not being mindful). The idea of self-care is still somewhat foreign to me but I will continue to practice implementing small pieces into my world as best I can. My Dr. was an enormous support in showing me how to be an "advocate" for my Donald which of course resulted in a wee bit of self-care in spite of myself.
Janice, this is heartbreaking but so important. I’m sorry you had to go through it in order to talk this honestly about the grueling, often thankless job of caretaker.
Big hugs. 💕