Elder Care Spotlight: Service is a Source of Strength...

In many cultures around the world, caregiving for the elderly is seen as one of life's highest callings. In other belief systems, serving the elderly until transition is misunderstood as something burdensome, draining, and taxing. These perspectives are observed in the cultures themselves, and they are spread from generation to generation. The truth is that caregiving is a huge sacrifice with an even bigger payout. Difficult situations continue to challenge us, unexpected problems arise, and there are scary times of uncertainty. However, each day we show up and learn and grow and help someone who has lost the ability to help themselves. That is the greatest gift of all. Caregiving is an empowering service that helps us become stronger on many levels - here is how...

When we first begin caregiving, we have no idea what we are doing. We know there are medications, special diets, routines, and exercises that we are in charge of, but we have no idea what to do if anything goes wrong. Then, time and time again, we learn, we grow, and we expand in knowledge and understanding. New skills are gained, we become stronger, and confidence grows. We learn how to trust our judgement, and topics we had no awareness around become our specialty. Instead of being in the work of changing the world, we become supporters of changing one person's end of life experience to become something more meaningful.

Caregivers witness people at their most vulnerable moments. All of the sadness, regret, frustration, and fear come out at the end of life, and so does the resilience, courage, strength, and Love. Lessons around patience, empathy, understanding, and acceptance teach us that everyone is a human being and we all are important enough to fight for. Our elderly Loved ones only wish to be seen, heard, respected, valued, and Loved, and so do we. Because of this, most caregivers work extra hard to make sure things are done right. Caregivers work hard to make sure their elderly family and friends are comfortable - but at what cost?

Mistakes are part of the caregiving game. It is impossible to do everything right, and the guilt of messing up is something that can stick in the heart for a long time. Some days we have lots of energy and drive, and others we are tired and questioning everything. Not all problems can be fixed, and this doesn't mean we have failed as caregivers. We learn, grow, adapt, and move forward - one step in front of the other - without looking back. The most powerful caregivers are those who may struggle, but they are willing to grow along the way. This is a field of resilience, of creating deep bonds, of developing compassion, and of becoming more confident. While the caregiver offers their services for the elderly, they end up helping themselves in the process. Being tired, uncertain, and unprepared is what helps one to develop patience, endurance, and knowledge in order to do what is needed in a Loving and dedicated way. The caregiver becomes stronger and develops a deeper sense of purpose, meaning, and understanding. A stronger, more resilient version of oneself is born. Caregivers have more ability than they think. Love is the guiding force, and because of that - there is no wrong way to help those we Love the most.