Caregiver - 2nd Phase

I would never thought back in August, after Mom passed away, that I would again be wearing my "caregiver's coat",  but I have been, since February!
After Mom passed, I had to step back from everything to do with caregiving. I stopped writing blog entries, working on my blogsites, canceled the rest of my blogtalkradio shows and ceased interacting with other caregivers. I needed to heal, needed to grieve, needed to see what was going to be next for me, and I had no idea!
I have missed all these things that I let go, but the need that I had to write and to share, the reason for that need passed on August 16th.
I knew I had to go back to work, to do something, but I could not go back to what I had done for over 20 years. I couldn't go back to the world of retail and management, it terrified me.
So, one day I decided to check out homecare and located a couple local agencies on line, filled out a brief application and submitted it. A week later I was called, I went in and filled out all the paperwork and was hired on the spot! My husband asked me if I was nervous about going and applying, I said no, this is where my comfort and confidence is!
So, I have three clients right now. My main client I have on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and every other Saturday---12 hour days! lol It's a great "gig" though! My newest client is on Thurs 9-10, for a get-up, bath and get dressed assist, and my third is Thursday at 5 just to give meds.
I needed to be give to others again, to care for them to show kindness and compassion...without all the negative emotions and situations that I dealt with as Mom's caregiver. Those who know me, and know the job I did with Mom, were not at all surprised that I went right back into the caregiving field. It has been very rewarding for me.
For now, this is what I will be doing. Perhaps some other door will open up later on, but to put me back out into the working world, this is the perfect match for me!
Oh yes, the company I work for is Visiting Angels! People would tell me I sure earned my wings or halo, taking care of Mom the way I did. Guess it's official; I'm an "Angel"!

My Role Has Ended

 

This is taken from Denise Brown's Book:  The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey

 

Stage 6: The Godspeed Caregiver

My caregiving has ended.
Who are you?
Your role as caregiver ended more than two years ago. You find yourself compelled to make a difference in the lives of other caregivers. You share information readily with caregivers in the earlier stages, or you start a business dedicated to helping family caregivers, or you find a job in which you assist family caregivers. And, you treasure each relationship you have in your life, recognizing that each day, and your health, should never be taken for granted.
Your Keyword: Treasure
–Treasure your dreams;
–Treasure your challenges which led to your opportunities and new skills;
–Treasure your opportunities to share lessons learned;
–Treasure memories of your care recipient.
Your Purpose:
To implement your lessons learned from your role as caregiver, from your care recipient and from your family members and friends. During this stage, which can last as long you wish–even your lifetime–you reap the benefits of your efforts.
As a “Godspeed Caregiver”, what can you do?
1. Follow your dreams.
Make your goals your achievements.
2. Family caregivers will look to you as a mentor and leader.
Allow caregivers in earlier stages the same freedom to stumble and steady themselves that you had. All worthwhile journeys have trips and wrong turns; the journeys become meaningful as we learn from our mis-steps.
Share your experiences with expectant caregivers, freshman caregivers, entrenched caregivers and pragmatic caregivers. They can learn from you! (Many of the books, web sites, audio tapes and videos which helped you along your journey were developed by Godspeed Caregivers. !)
3. Treasure the memories you have of your care recipient.
Continue to remember your care recipient regularly through rituals, such as enjoying an ice cream cone in her honor on her birthday, or by planting trees in her name. Reading and reviewing your diary will be a great way to remember.
Of course, your best memorial to your care recipient’s memory is a life you build for yourself filled with healthy relationships, productive careers and joy and laughter.

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