Are you a caregiver to someone who is terminally ill, and what is their relationship to you?

Question

What can you tell someone who is a caregiver about the importance of their job, and the importance of taking care of themselves? www.myshininglight.com

Answer 1

My mother moved to Alabama to be a caregiver to my grandmother who is ill with leukemia and severe complications from diabetes. She used to have a home care nurse, but lives so far in a rural area and Medicare does not cover as much as it used to.

The bond between Mom and Gramma has grown so much deeper than it ever was, and both have grown in physical and mental strength over the past 18 months. When Mom went to stay there, the doctors had been ready to call all family in because Gramma had a bad bout of pneumonia and fluid around her heart. Now they go on outings and tell stories that ensure the family history will be passed on. It's been such a blessing having Mom there, for all of us!

Answer 2

This question is right up my alley. Yes I am a caregiver, and no my patient is not related to me, but I feel as if he is. I have been caring for this man for 8 years. I switched companies to stay with him. I couldn't love him more if he were my own flesh and blood. See and that's just your answer, caring for someone isn't just doing the every day things that have to be done it's going out of your way to be there for them any time. My mind doesn't just shut off about my patient the moment I leave, I want every thing to be done so that person knows they are safe and sound, knowing that I will do everything I can to make them comfortible, even though I'm not there. My job is not just a paycheck. If I could I'd work for free. I love that I seem to make a difference in someones life, and that I'm needed. I need them too. My life has been greatly changed by taking care of a person that can not take care of himself. Not only has it been rewarding but a pleasure. So in order to answer the last part of your question I'd have to say this, it is my duty to take care of my self so that I can be there for those who need me the most. Thank you for a great question.

Answer 3

I am a RN in a nursing home. Nursing home care has changed a lot in the last few years. More people are keeping their family members home and hospitals are discharging people a lot earlier than they used to. We have a lot more rehab residents then we used to. And we get terminal cancer patients. If the caregiver is in a nursing home then visit often and get to know the staff. You can send them cards from time to time expressing your thanks. Or send goodies. Fruit baskets are popular where I work.

Is this a caregiver in the home? If they are then they can't do it by themselves. They NEED time off for themselves. They need all the help they can get. Some terminally ill people need 24/7 care.

Hope I answered your question.

Answer 4

Make sure you do the best you can to show society that the patient is clean, warm, well fed (as best as you can), and proper prescriptions passed.
BEWARE - bedsores are a tip off that something is not being done well enough.
The caregiver may suffer depression, I did.

Stay strong and don't give up no matter how distasteful some tasks may be. Others know that what you are doing is labor of love (you may not feel that way sometimes) but remain steadfast. Do your best.

Answer 5

I have been a caregiver for terminally ill several times.
I am a registered nurse and work in a hospital.
We give respite care to hospice pts when their family members are physically and emotionally exhausted from trying to take care of them. Sometimes, its a 80 yr old cancer pts wife who just cannot do it anymore, or it may be a 42 yr old woman with teenagers at home who just needs a break from caring for her husband with Lou Gherigs. Sometimes its just too much and the pts family brings them in while we help them find other alternatives to taking care of their loved ones at home such as nursing home placement, or finding help at home.
Caregivers are some of the most special, kind people I have ever met, but they are only human and get tired too. Its not shameful to say "give me a break" and sometimes we have to tell them, its ok. Go home, nap, eat something, go out to a movie or just hang out for awhile and re group. We are here for you. Let us take care of your family member, so you can take care of yourself.

Answer 6

I agree which you will desire to be waiting to pursue a dating with this gentleman. in spite of the undeniable fact that, having lost my dad whilst my mum and dad weren't lots youthful than you're, i'd desire to admit i could have been uncomfortable if, interior of a 300 and sixty 5 days's time, my mom had began relaxing yet another guy in the homestead she had shared with our dad. i don't assume you to comprehend this, as you curiously have already moved on alongside with your existence. yet, your infants are nonetheless mourning the loss of their dad. the homestead you and your husband lived in is, as a result, nonetheless sacred to them. mutually as i don't evaluate you to be "dishonest" on your lifeless husband, it does look you're actually not once you communicate that your infants are nonetheless in mourning for their dad, despite while you're actually not any further mourning the shortcoming of your husband. And mutually as you may replace a husband, they'd't replace a dad. on your place, i might probable spend time with and get to understand a clean guy *outdoors* of my homestead, and in places that have been outdoors of city...a picnic via a lake, feeding swans at a pond, trekking in direction of the woods mutually. you have a real to pursue a clean dating. yet doing it so visibly in front of your infants, in the homestead you under a 300 and sixty 5 days in the past, nonetheless shared with their dad, won't be the wisest or maximum considerate component to do. i've got faith your infants would be lots extra considerate of your thoughts as quickly as you're extra considerate of theirs. Wishing you each and every of the final.

Answer 7

I cared for my children's great grandmother before she died. Moved her in with us and sat with her while she passed. It was very hard to do but I don't regret it at all.

Answer 8

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