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 Being
a caregiver, whether voluntarily or involuntarily,
takes a great deal of effort and time and no matter
how much love you may have for the individual, it
is a most difficult time for everyone involved.
If you are the "caregiver you already know that
your responsibilities go further than just
caregiving.
Perhaps your situation involves
caring for a parent who is aging and needs care
and attention, perhaps you have a child that has
a chronic illness or special needs, or perhaps it
is your spouse who is in need of caregiving.
While circumstances may vary, the
fact is that caregiving is tough work, and affects
family members in lots of ways.
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Are you dealing with emotional,
financial worries?
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Are you employed and worry
about missed days and unfinished work?
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Do you have children (or
other children) who also need you to take care
of them?
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Are you “missing” the person
who now needs your care?
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Is your relationship being
ignored with your spouse or significant other?
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Do you feel isolated from
friends and social life?
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Do you worry about your
loved one needing more care?
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Are you feeling guilty because
you live too far away to help?
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Have you forgotten that
you also need some attention and care?
Hopefully you are still reading because
now we will share how we can help make a difference!
As Family Therapists, our expertise focuses on
relationships, intergenerational family experiences,
and dealing with different perspectives regarding
the problem. We work with family members including
the caregiver and other family members who are
affected by 'the situation".
We will help you find ways to:
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Reduce family conflict
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Improve Communication
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Explore new connections
Shift expectations as health declines -
Discover ways to find
meaning and satisfaction
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Understand your feelings
and emotions as normal
We will help you find ways that "fit for you",
your life and your loved ones. We understand how caregiving influences relationships.
We know that often there are mixed feelings for
the caregiver.
We understand that it is normal to have mixed
feelings and emotions.
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Yes,
it is possible to have love and still resent
the sacrifices you may be making.
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Yes, it is possible to continue having a relationship
with other family members and still get angry
because they have suggestions for “how it
should be done” yet you are the one who is
the primary caregiver.
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Yes, it is normal to feel torn between feelings
of obligation, love, responsibility and your
own dreams.
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Yes,
it is possible to find ways to be a caregiver
and a spouse and a parent and a friend.
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Yes, it is common to “want to have your home
back to normal” and want to care for your
loved one.
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Yes, it is possible to be a caregiver and
still have your own life back.
Facts about Caregiving
1. 50% of caregivers have clinically significant
depression
2. Anxiety is higher in caregivers than non-caregivers.
3. Caregivers have more physical health problems.
4. Strained caregiver spouses are at increased
risk of dying.
5. Caregivers have poorer immune system function
and slower healing.
6. Caregivers experience more colds and other
viral llnesses.
(AAMFT
2002)
"The more sand that
has escaped from the hourglass of our life,
the
clearer we should see through it".
Jean Paul
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When
friends and family are just too close to your
situation to help.
call
us at 954 -341 - 2555
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