CARE OF SELF

Ninety-seven year old, "George", was admitted to hospice today with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. George has been in a recent decline to where he is weaker, eating less and sleeping more. He speaks only a few words at a time, but easily smiled when the hospice nurse and I walked into his bedroom.

George has hired caregivers, but his daughter, "Linda", is totally involved and supportive. She loves her father so much as is so attentive to him in such a kind and loving way. Linda was focused on wanting to know what support hospice would give. She asked detailed questions about medical equipment, medications etc. She so efficiently wrote down all of the information on a note pad. She wanted to do things just right.

Linda is a psychologist and is knowledgeable about Psychological theories and counseling tools to help her clients. Nevertheless, she is such a prime example of how difficult it is for any of us to handle things when it is so personal.

Self care is such an important tool for all of us to utilize, but so often we do not put ourselves first in order to initiate the self care that is so vital. I wish Linda the best and hopefully, with hospice on board, she will receive the counseling from our hospice staff that will help her through the grief and emotions associated with the loss of losing a loved one.

CARE OF SELF

　
She is a psychologist by trade.
She counsels clients on self care.
She helps them cope with life stressors
while teaching them ways to handle it all.

Her elderly father came onto hospice today.
He has been sick for many years.
He's getting weaker; needing so much help,
but will smile so easily while saying, "Hello".

She is focused on the tasks that need to be done.
"What about the hospital bed; what pills does he take?
I need to write all of this down.
         I have to get it straight."

When I asked how she was coping,
she struggled with something to say.
"My husband died suddenly two months ago.
I have attended one of your groups."

She wanted to fix things.
She wanted to know what to say.
She could not see how to put herself first;
how to utilize the tool of self care.

It is so different when it hits you personally.
All of your knowledge just fades away.
Your heart is broken and not easily fixed.
Stop the world a minute,
          I have to get off.