What Its Like To Be A Caregiver

The following is a Q&A with Suzanne A., a Southern California-based caregiver. Suzanne is a caregiver to her husband Gil, who suffered multiple strokes and is now a paraplegic. With Gil unable to work, Suzanne works part-time to support them. Q: What do people not know about being a caregiver? Suzanne: Because of social media, our society has been introduced to many people who are caregivers that share their compassion and their struggles. However, each caregiver has a unique dynamic. They are either a caregiver for a spouse, a parent, a grandparent or a friend, and each caregiving situation is different. It also takes more than stamina, strength and time--it takes emotional strength. I would describe it as having emotional intelligence. Q: Before your husband's stroke, had you ever been a caregiver before? Suzanne: I had no previous experience in caregiving prior to Gil's stroke. I was definitely a newbie. Some days it's a comfortable flow but most days are unpredictable and hard. Q: What has surprised you about being a caregiver? Suzanne: On the negative side, you don't have any down time. On the positive side, you get a lot of physical, mental and emotional strength when you are constantly placing another's needs and care before your own. Q: What does a typical day look like for you? Suzanne: Every morning, I have to assess what went on with Gil's care the night before. He is currently at a post-acute health center in Southern California because of is...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news