Slowing down doesn't mean stopping as these seniors find freelance care-giving options that allow them to pursue what they love while getting paid for it.
Hi this is Sarah again... So many interesting and wonderful things have happened since I last blogged. Where do I begin? It’s been weeks since I blogged about my career evolution from telecom company marketing manager... to stay-at-home mom... to part-time Caregiver via CGUSA. If you've missed my last article, here’s a quick recap to get you up to speed.
I officially turned 46 years old, and had a nice, low-key celebration at my favorite organic restaurant with my husband David, and our two teenage boys, Mike and Zach. Besides treating me to a delicious and nutritious special meal (I even splurged and had a piece of flourless cacao cake) all three pitched in to buy me a new, high-end vacuum cleaner, replete with all the crack and crevice nozzle attachments I’ve come to love as the aforementioned “neat freak.” I’ve been putting my incredibly efficient new appliance to good use not only at our suburban Columbus, Ohio home, but also at Jim and Josh’s house. They are my new clients for whom I provide caregiving services. We connected through the electronic job board on the CaregiverUSA website www.caregiverusa.com.
It’s not easy being a Caregiver and if you keep at it long enough, you will really need to take care of yourself as well. Why? You need to help yourself to prevent burnout. It’s too easy to get caught up in the moment, knowing you are doing something worthwhile no matter how physically, psychologically and emotionally draining it may be. Sometimes, we do this informally for a loved one - and when our own minds and bodies start to pay the price, Caregivers in their utter devotion and sacrifice, might not even notice the toll they themselves are paying - until it is far, far too late.
So what can we do? Are you at risk for Caregiver burnout?
The journey started with a bad report at the oncologist’s. “I’m sorry. You have stage four renal cancer.” Those words hit my family like a bolt of lightning. It was a shocker none of us expected when my mother-in-law became a victim of the dreaded disease. We were unprepared for the impact of that reality when it struck. Life suddenly stood still and turned a gloomy shade of grey. It marked our entrance into the world of medical treatment and surgical procedures.
