When my mother-in-law became ill and could no longer be home alone, there was no question I would leave my job and care for her. When my father was diagnosed with cancer there was no doubt I would fly or drive from Pennsylvania to Florida as often as possible to help my mother with his care. From the minute my father was put into Hospice care until he passed away I personally cared for him.
When one of my closest friends, Joelle was diagnosed with cancer another close friend, Tina and I drove to North Carolina to be with her. Joelle’s husband was in Iraq and she had two children. Tina’s children were grown and out of the house. She made the decision to leave her job and her husband to stay in North Carolina to care for Joelle and her family. I wanted to do whatever I could to help Tina. I visited as often as I could and chauffeured Tina back and forth for visits with her family.
November is National Caregivers Month. 40 million caregivers in the United States are unpaid and non-professional. They are often midlife women sandwiched between the needs of their parents and their own children.
Most caregivers neglect their own care for the sake of others. They don’t eat, sleep or exercise regularly and are often sad or depressed.
That’s why AARP created a community where caregivers can connect with experts and other caregivers and can find information and tools to take even better care of the person who once took care of them.
http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/
Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers
Do you know a caregiver that could use a random Act of Kindness?
Identify someone in your life or in your community who is serving as a caregiver and do something nice for them. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, just a small gesture that makes a caregiver’s life a little easier
We’re also asking that participants share their story with us. If they submit a 150 word or less summary of how they made a caregiver feel special and photo, they’ll be entered to win a cash prize from our $10,000 pot.
“This is a sponsored post on behalf of Element Associates and Midlife Boulevard.”
For more info watch this short clip:
#BeKindtoCaregivers
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