Life after caregiving can be something that either scares you or that you haven’t thought much about. Regardless of your reaction, these tips can help you to transition to life beyond caregiving when that time comes.
Reflect on Everything that You’ve Learned
Even if you don’t realize it, you’ve learned an awful lot during your time as a caregiver. You may have collected a vast amount of health knowledge and you’ve definitely learned a lot about what caregiving is all about. This is information and experience that you may need again but it’s also information that you can use to help others.
Share What You’ve Learned about Caregiving
Because you’ve learned so much, you can share what you’ve learned and experienced with people who haven’t been there. You may even have more time and energy to be able to share with others. If you’re already a member of a caregiver support group, consider keeping your membership. This can be a great way for you to give back to the caregiving community, especially if you got a lot out of talking to other caregivers.
Reconnect with People in Your Life
There’s likely a lot of activities and people in your life that fell by the wayside when you were deep in your caregiving journey. Now is the time to reach out again and to reconnect. Many of these people may have been dealing with their own situations and may have wanted to reconnect with you as well. Reach out and repair the relationships that you can.
Look at Where Else You Can Use the Skills You’ve Developed
The skills that you master as a caregiver are rarely ones that you can only use in that one situation. You may find that the very skills that made you an excellent caregiver allow you to be a fantastic volunteer in local organizations that help caregivers and the elderly. You can use those skills in so many other different areas, especially if you wind up in the role of caregiver again. You’ll know much more quickly what works and how to make the caregiving journey as easy as possible.
This transition is definitely a process. Your elderly family member’s end-of-life care providers can help you to find the resources you need to deal with your grief and with other issues you’re experiencing. This is a difficult time, but there’s a great deal of growth, too.
If you or a loved-one are considering end-of-life care in Dunwoody, GA, please call the caring staff at Arcturus Hospice and Palliative Care today. Call 678-383-9973 today to speak to our care team.
Kate Gorinshteyn is the director of marketing at Arcturus Health Care. Arcturus is a fast-growing Hospice striving to provide the highest level of quality care to patients faced with life-limiting illnesses. Our goal is to make each patient as pain-free as possible and give physiological, emotional and spiritual support to both the patient and family. We understand that the decision change from curative to comfort care is difficult, and our team is trained to help you every step of the way!
We are proud to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.