We are not Mother Teresa; Were Caregivers

If you are a caregiver like me, you have maybe you heard the following statements from other people.

“Get her a babysitter.” When someone says something like this, it questions my friendship to them. One, my grandmother is not a baby and two no one knows her needs, and her schedule like I
“Why did you sign up for this?” I did not; it became a part of my
“You get to stay home all day.” Yes, I need to, my grandmother falls, she will not remember to take her pills, and she will not do most things without reminding. Yes, I stay home all day, but it is not what you


Today's post is for my fellow caregivers:

Being a caregiver is not easy, many people outside of your house will develop an opinion without knowing any information. People will always have an opinion, but will never help. You can see this when you ask for help, and people pretend you did not even ask.

Honestly being a caregiver is sad. Caregivers often feel abandoned, because they often care for everyone else, while no one acknowledges them. Being a caregiver is physically and emotionally draining, as I have endured many muscle sprains trying to pick up my grandmother after a fall.

We are not Mother Teresa; we get mad frustrated, we cry, and we wonder. It is normal to fall apart while keeping everything together. It is all a learning process; then we just learn as it comes along.

Advice:

Learn how to say no, an example of this is when my grandmother would continually make me get her lottery tickets. I know it is something so small, and I should be able to get it done in five minutes or so, but when she wanted lottery tickets two to three times a day, I refused altogether. I felt like a horrible person but then I realized she needs me, she needs to eat, drink, take a shower and get up among other things. You need to pick and choose your battles. It is okay to say no. Be a sheriff, get things done, create order. It’s the only way you’re going to get out of this alive when its all over.