There is no end to the lessons we learn as care givers. Here is my latest list of ten.
- No matter how well you knew this person before, she/he will in many regards be a stranger now.
- Every aspect of care giving is a challenge; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The most difficult role of your life. (more on this later)
- It doesn’t matter what your skill sets are; the wide breadth of skills necessary for care giving aren’t likely among them.
- There isn’t a handbook or directions for care giving.
- Care giving an adult is vastly different than a child.
- Care givers are underappreciated and invisible to all but the patient.
- Care giving is all responsibility, accountability.
- Your life no longer takes priority with others and can easily be swept aside in your own mind as well.
- Even those comfortable with death are not comfortable with the process of dying.
- Death becomes an obsession that refuses to be ignored.
