“Hold On 2015, Here We Come!”
Larry Reeves, Region A- Long Term Care Ombudsman, Southwestern Planning Commission
Well, you did it. You managed to make it all the way through 2014. Now you must get prepared because 2015 is just about ready to get started. What will the New Year bring into your life?
I write this article as a caregiver. I live with my father. He has several health issues as a result of the years he worked as a factory employee (Dayco, in Haywood County), a block/brick mason, a subsistence farmer, a committed church pastor (Baptist), the husband of a wife that had numerous health challenges, and the father of three. He lives and struggles with a restrictive lung disease (Asbestosis, asthma, emphysema, recurrent/frequent URIs) and back problems (several compression fractures). In order for Dad to be able to stay at home, I am there with him during the nights and weekends. My sister and brother-in-law help during the times I am working or otherwise occupied. It takes a team effort. Thankfully, he does not have any apparent cognitive issues. In fact, as he is able, he still drives, lends a hand with the lever on the wood splitter, and enjoys preaching when he is invited to do so by those who know of his faith and desire. However, like many of you, I look ahead to 2015 wondering what is waiting for my family and me.
Regardless of your role, either as a caregiver or a care receiver, I want to share some projections as to what can be expected for 2015. By no means do I offer a comprehensive list. No doubt, you have items that you will want to add or subtract. You have my permission to have at it. These are some of my projections:
- Change is inevitable. Things will not remain the same as they are right now. Some things will improve. Some things will deteriorate. You will welcome some of the changes. You will not welcome some of the changes. Therefore, you need to prepare to deal with the inevitable.
- Realistic expectations are necessary. It is important for you to be realistic as you look forward to 2015. Your expectations need to be such that you do not set yourself up for disappointments by expecting more of yourself and others than will be possible to become a reality. Physical and cognitive challenges will arise. Hopefully, there will be some new approaches that will improve your status (medicines, treatments, options, resources, relationships, policy changes, and so forth). However, you must, also, prepare to deal with disappointments, failures, limitations, inadequate and incomplete answers, confusion, and so forth. But let me also add, some wonderful things may happen as well as you move forward. There may be some folks that will step up in ways you had not anticipated. There may be some answers that come in ways that you could never have dreamed possible.
- Make taking care of yourself a priority. It is so easy, given all of the demands, to get so caught up in taking care of everyone else you lose yourself. Paying attention to your own needs is just as important as paying attention to the needs of others. Statistics can be sited that verify the truth that caregivers often die before the person they are taking care of. So, if you are a caregiver, you need to pay attention to your needs and figure out some ways to meet them. If others are taking care of you, you can show them your gratitude by insisting they tend to themselves as well.
Well enough from me; get busy getting ready to make 2015 the best one yet! (12/5/2015)