SELF CARE

Helping out our Bereavement Department today, I made multiple calls to family members who lost a loved one last year. I called, “Christine” this morning to check in on how she was coping and if she needed any support from our Bereavement Department. Christine was in good spirits while she spoke about this past year since her father died on our hospice program.

She used a lot of humor which kept both of us laughing. What impressed me the most, though, was at how good she was at taking care of herself. By doing so, she was in a much better position to care for her mother. It was wonderful to hear. Because of her self care, her coping is a bit easier, although there may always be an occasional down time for her..

She is a perfect example of how to continue to care for another while also caring for ones self.


SELF CARE　

So often, when caring for another,
we often neglect ourselves.
Our focus is on what the patient requires
and what else is there to be done.

She was the caregiver for her father
as his disease slowly won the race.
He died almost one year ago;
now she's caring for her mom.

Mom has Alzheimer’s Disease.
She doesn't realize he is gone.
As her confusion progresses,
          so do her needs.

When asked how Mom is coping,
she'll lessen her stress using humor;
answering while laughing all the while,
          "She's as ornery as can be!"

To give her much needed down time,
she’s hired attendant care to watch over mom.
”So while taking care of mom,
          I can also take care of me.”

I am impressed at how she is managing things.
She’s following what she knows her mother would say,
“Take care of yourself sweet daughter,
          so we both will be okay.”

When it comes to her children,
this mother instinctively knows.
I've no doubt she’ll continue to speak
the universal language of
          Self Care.