Tonight's picture was taken in January of 2006. That day I visited Mattie's preschool class with homemade gingerbread houses. The children got to use royal icing to attach candies onto the houses. This activity was very well received by all the children. So much so, that other classrooms came into Mattie's room to participate in decorating the houses. Pictured with me was of course Mattie, his best buddy Zachary and his friend Nancy. Zachary and Mattie were inseparable, starting on day one of preschool. I got to know Zachary so well, that he was almost like a second child to me. When Mattie was diagnosed with cancer, that did not stop their special bond. Instead, Zachary learned to accommodate to Mattie's needs and they found a new way forward. I learned a lot from these two friends.
Quote of the day: There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. ~ Rosalynn Carter
Today is National Caregivers Day, a time to recognize and honor caregivers and the important work that we do! The Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies, PAHHHA, established the third Friday in February as National Caregivers Day in 2015. They aimed to dedicate a day annually to recognize and appreciate caregivers everywhere. The first celebration of the holiday took place in 2016.
If you know a family member or friend who provides care to a loved one, THANK them today! I would say that family caregivers are the unsung heroes in our world. We do tasks around the clock, without payment and without positive feedback.
AARP put together this two minute video highlighting all that family caregivers do in any given day! I found it moving.
To learn more about caregiving, check out: Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 - AARP Research Report). Some caregiving facts.....................
- One in five Americans (21.3 percent) are caregivers, having provided care to an adult or child with special needs at some time in the past 12 months. This totals an estimated 53.0 million adults in the United States, up from the estimated 43.5 million caregivers in 2015.
- 1 in 3 caregivers of someone age 65 or older reports the presence of Alzheimer's or dementia.
- When a caregiver provides care to someone with a memory problem, they are more likely to help with getting in and out of beds and chairs, getting dressed, getting to and from the toilet, bathing or showering, feeding, dealing with incontinence, tasks more frequently rated "difficult" when caring for someone with memory loss.
- Nearly one in five (19%) are providing unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs.
- More Americans (24%) are caring for more than one person up from 18% in 2015.
- More family caregivers (26%) have difficulty coordinating care up from 19% in 2015.
- More Americans (26%) are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia up from 22% in 2015.
- More Americans (23%) say caregiving has made their own health worse up from 17% in 2015.
Caregiving is NOT a new role for me. I come from a long line of caregivers and I believe I learned the art from my maternal grandmother! I have a dear cousin who has devoted her life to being a caregiver and therefore if you think there is a genetic component to being a caregiver.... perhaps that is true! Caregiving is in my blood. If I see a person in need, my immediate reaction is to HELP! I have been like this since I was a kid! In high school, I never left school on time. Why? Because I was sitting and listening to friends and acquaintances. From an early age, people naturally felt comfortable talking to me. I take that as a high compliment and I can't think of a better role in life than helping other people. You never know what a smile or kind word can do to a person struggling or having a bad day.
Is caregiving difficult? 100% YES! It requires putting your own needs, desires, and freedom on hold. When Mattie had cancer, I can't tell you how many people recommended that I take a break. That I care for myself and get rest! I did not listen! I did not want to live with any regrets. Mattie was my number one priority and I will always be at peace knowing that I made that choice. Once Mattie died, did I get sick? ABSOLUTELY! I was worn out, fragile, and constantly ill for months, if not years. So I am well aware of the toxic level of stress I am dealing with from both caregiving and the dissolution of my marriage. All I can say is I am cognizant of it and take it one day at a time.
To all my fellow caregivers, my hat is off to you. I admire you greatly and may you always know the incredible difference you are making in the lives of those in your care.
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