Gloria Vanderbilt was speaking of her life and her great adventures. Wow, what an interesting woman. She looks like her age is late 50's but is actually 81. When an event changes your loved ones life, "The phone can ring and change your life in a blink." 
Those of you who are caregivers know how caregiving begins and how your lives have changed. Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, or a loved one might pass away. Maybe a medical event occurs. These events are major causes for a life change in your loved one. Their lives are never quite the same again, nor are yours. The "change" can be dramatic and easy to recognize. But the subtle changes, they often times are missed. It could be a slow creeping depression that slowly takes some spirit away. It could be a change in eating habits. Caregiving isn't just helping someone change their diapers, giving them a little help shopping, help paying the bills. Remember the times in the past that made these wonderful chosen people your loved ones. Don't be in a hurry to get their chore accomplished and leave. Spend some quality time. When an event changes your life in a blink be careful it doesn't change your love. Caregiving is so difficult and few can imagine the drain of it until they too become a caregiver. I wonder who has it tougher, the caregiver or the one receiving the caring? Caregiving often times hurts. Not all loved ones are appreciative of the care they receive. Most are so full of constant pain both physical and mental, that they can no longer easily see the forest from the trees. Give love as well as caregiving. They too are having a tough time. Who wants to be taken care of like a child? Who took care of you as a child? Take the time to evaluate the person to whom you are caregiving. What's wrong in their environment? Are their knees okay with the toilet seat at it present height? Do they need the bars in the closet lowered so that they can reach things? Do they need a chair that lifts them up to a standing position? Do they now need a cane, a walker, or assistance into and out of the tub? Is there food in their refrigerator? Have they been out to eat with a friend? Does anyone visit them regularly? Are they taking their medications correctly? Do they have a Vial of Life filled out with all of their emergency information so that the paramedics can easily find it? Do you need to think about a good medical alarm in case when they are alone and can't reach the phone for help they can still reach 911 and you? I know caregiving can be tough, but the operative word is "care". Find some solutions to help yourself as well. A good LPN can help save your life. They can be a friend to your loved one, they can shop for your loved one, they can bathe and make sure they are taking their medications. They can alert you to changes since the last time you were able to visit. Spend some time finding good help. Help is not necessarily "good help". Find that cherished smile from your loved one, and vice versa. Give love...it pays. | 
