I’m not a natural caregiver. I never aspired to be a social worker or a nurse – as much as I admire those who chose those vocations. I wasn’t ever really interested in being a parent – although I think I would have made a good one.
I doubt any 20, 30 or 40-year-old ever imagines that they might someday manage their parents health, finances and well-being – that they would have to switch roles completely with them. I know I’ve remarked on this to many of those folks and I can always see that while they say yes, they get it, they don’t and probably can’t. Until it happens.
I’ve been helping out my 91-year old mother for years, but the last four or five years have been dramatic in the shift from simply helping to all out caregiving. I’ve learned a great deal about the aging process and particular needs of a beloved parent – in a very short period of time. I know others like me are on similar journeys – some a much harder one, and some a little softer. My goal is simply having a creative outlet – in this case it’s called a blog. If it can help others – even better.
The Reluctant Caregiver 