My 95-year-old mother recently had a five-day hospital stay. It’s so hard to see someone you love just lying there unable to do anything for themselves and having to rely on someone else for everything. I learned real quickly what caregivers go through daily and how hard it is for them. I am one of the lucky ones as I had help, which most caregivers don’t; they are generally all by themselves caring for their loved one and I don’t know how they do it.
My mother is the type of person who never gets sick, so when she ended up in the hospital it really scared a lot of people. She takes two pills a day and at 95-years-old, that’s amazing! Of course, she has the normal age-related declination, losing her eyesight, not so steady on her feet, etc., but overall, she is very healthy.
The nurses at the hospital were so caring and helpful, I couldn’t have done it without them. I basically slept in the bed with her for the first two nights and was there for at least twelve hours the other three days and nights. We didn’t call the nurses for everything because I was there, so I got a glimpse into the world of caregiving and let me tell you, it is HARD WORK!
You don’t sleep, you don’t eat well, you stress all the time, it takes a toll on your body physically and mentally and when you finally get a break, your loved one is all you think about. I did things I never knew I could do, I just did them. My sister was just sitting there watching me do everything and my mom says, “Well, she doesn’t know what to do.” All I could think of was, neither do I, mom, neither do I, but I’m doing it.
I have never been so exhausted and felt so fulfilled in my life at the same time. Yet I want to scream at the top of my lungs and cry hysterically. I also want to laugh and yell about all the joy I feel from bonding so much with her. What a roller coaster of emotions that goes through you at a time like this. I only had five days of caregiving and had help; I can’t imagine doing this on a full-time basis with no one to assist me. If you know someone who is a caregiver, PLEASE reach out to them and offer them a break, they REALLY need it!
I must really applaud the caregivers, whether they be in the form of nurses, personal assistants, or family members, in this world! Where would we be without you? All I have to say about the caregivers in this world is that you all ROCK!! You are the best; you work tirelessly and give 100% of yourselves every day!
THANK YOU!
