The Remembered Caregiver

When we are giving care to others, it is easy to fall victim to becoming a forgotten caregiver. What happens is that everyone takes for granted that we will make sure that all the care giving duties are completed. They no longer worry about helping out. No one even acknowledges any of the care giving work that we have juggled into our lives. They are all "too busy" to make sure that we have time for ourselves and for our other family members.

I remember how easily I became a forgotten caregiver. When my cerebral palsy daughter was a baby and a toddler,she was prone to seizures. No one wanted to look after her as they did not want to take on the additional responsibility of caring for her. Even getting a babysitter for an evening out was a challenge. Her father would also not look after her by himself as he too was intimidated by her condition. As a result, I was the one and only caregiver to my daughter for the first few years of her life. My daughter was in physiotherapy classes at the Children's Hospital which was about an hours drive from where I lived. I had to drive her to these classes three days a week and juggle my other two children between grandparents and other relatives. I had become a forgotten caregiver.

Warrior Caregivers make sure that they always remain remembered caregivers and do not become forgotten caregivers.

Warrior Caregivers are remembered by:
Ensuring that all those able to help with the care giving are included in the schedule
Keeping control while still delegating out care giving duties
Making time for themselves and other family members
Making sure that all others involved are part of the decisions
Accepting help and acknowledgment for all the work
Warrior Caregivers ensure that all those that can help with some of the care giving are worked into the schedule. They do not accept that these people always appear to be too busy. They make sure that the duties are shared between all involved.

Warrior Caregivers keep control by making sure that care giving that cannot be completed by them is delegated out to those available to help. They also ensure that care giving is completed by others in a positive and timely manner.

Warrior Caregivers never lose sight of themselves because they make time for themselves. They also make sure that other family members are not forgotten due to care giving duties. They make sure that they work in time for all so that no one feels left out.

Warrior Caregivers make sure that others involved in the care giving duties are also a part of the decisions. This makes everyone feel important and also keeps them involved. This way, no one becomes forgotten.

Warrior Caregivers readily accept help with the care giving duties. They also accept acknowledgment from others for the work that they do. They are not too proud to accept either of these.

I had to educate others on how to care for my daughter. I had to learn how to delegate to others so that I had time for myself. I had to include others in the decision making process and I had to accept that I could not do it all. I had to accept help and I had to accept acknowledgment from others. I did this and became a remembered caregiver.

I invite you to come join us in the Warrior Caregiver Community where we provide a safe platform for support & collaboration.

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