I've not posted much in this blog . . . because the issues associated with caregiving for elderly parents is no longer on my mind as much. I haven't forgotten, though. If you're struggling with your own challenges and reading this, let me encourage you that you can get through this tough time.
I recently read an article about the importance of caregivers taking care of their own needs. Nancy Carlson used doodling as a way to express some of her feelings while taking care of her ailing husband. Lorraine Teel used textile arts. It can be hard to take time for creativity when you're already overextended, but it can be an excellent outlet for some of the excess stress and emotion.
"The thing about caregiving is, you don't realize what it takes from you; you're the proverbial frog in the boiling water." This quotation (in the 11/10/18 Star Tribune) perfectly captures the challenge of taking care of yourself while you're taking care of a loved one. The article also states that "research supports . . . the therapeutic value of creativity for the growing number of Americans tending to loved ones."
So whether it's doodling, knitting, baking, woodworking, or dancing, treat yourself to some creative time. Express the feelings you may not be able to state out loud!
Prior to October 2010, my life was pretty simple. But with my mom's diagnosis of temporal arteritis, I plunged into the strange new world of providing care for parents in their 80s. As I've shared stories with friends, they've urged me to blog about it and share what I've learned with others. Here we are!
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