Midlife’s A Trip

More Ranting About Caregiving

Posted on 28. Mar, 2008 by Karen.

OK.  OK.  I know it seems like I’m on a rant here about caregiving.  But going to the Boomer Business Summit this week and hearing the repeated focus this issue brought it home to me—and you’ll laugh at this—that it’s not just my family who’s dealing with this.   

Duh, you might say.  But, for those of you who have had to caregive for a loved one, you understand how personal it is and you don’t really see it in the more global context.  So because I’ve had a “revelation”, you’ll see more on this blog about the issue of caregiving as part of the midlife trip. 

In the meantime, here’s another interesting resourse–Powerful Tools for Caregivers from the Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging .  If you’re in or will soon be in the caregiving experience, this 6 week online course may help smooth the way a little.  I’m looking into for myself because I’m learning that a little info can go a long way in helping caregivers cope.

If you check this out, let me know what you think.

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Why I’m Watching the PBS Special on Caregiving April 2

Posted on 28. Mar, 2008 by Karen.

The issue of how we care for our aging parents will be profiled in a PBS special next Wednesday, April 2nd.  The two hour program, which airs on your local PBS station at 9pm EST, includes a 90 minute documentary on the caregiving experience of 5 families followed by a 30 minute panel discussion. 

I plan to watch this program because my siblings and I have felt so lost sometimes as we cared first for my elderly father at home before he died and then for my mother who is now in an assisted living for dementia patients.  For a family of fairly well educated individuals, it was amazing how little we knew or still know about caregiving in aging.  Every step of the way has been a struggle–from learning how to engage a caregiver, how to create a supportive environment to things like how to change my dad’s diaper with dignity or gently remind mom for the 25th time that she didn’t bring her purse. 

So that’s why I’m watching, why should you?  Well, our generation is the first to be faced with the growing financial and emotional impact of caregiving for a large aging population.  With increased life spans and 78 million Baby Boomers in the pipeline, caregiving is destined, for most of us, to become a part of of our daily lives.  Whether you’re currently a caregiver or not, the more info the better.

Not convinced?  Well then let’s make it personal.  Just consider that what we learn from the caregiving of our parents is the foundation of how caregiving will be provided to us in our later years.  

That alone might be the best reason to tune in.

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