 |
To
take care of myself. This is not an act of
selfishness. It will give me the capability of
taking better care of my loved one. |
|
To
seek help from others even though my loved one may
object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance
and strength. |
|
To
maintain facets of my own life that do not include
the person I provide care for, just as I would if
he or she were healthy. I know that I do
everything I reasonably can for this person and I
have the right to do some things just for myself. |
|
To
get angry, be depressed and express other
difficult feelings occasionally. |
|
To
reject any attempt by my loved one [either
conscious or unconscious] to manipulate me through
guilt, anger or depression. |
|
To
receive consideration, affection, forgiveness and
acceptance for what I do for my loved one for as
long as I offer these qualities in return. |
|
To
take pride in what I am accomplishing and to
applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet
the needs of my loved one. |
|
To
protect my individuality and my right to make a
life for myself that will sustain me in the time
when my loved one no longer needs my full time
help. |
|
To
expect and demand that as new strides are made in
finding resources to aid physically and mentally
impaired older persons in our country, similar
strides will be made toward aiding and supporting
caregivers. |
| |
Wendy
Lustbader |
