There is a new ad promoting awareness for caregiver’s fatigue. The first two times I watched the ad I cried. Oh man did it hit home. Seriously.
This ad was created by AARP and today they are having a chat on twitter about caregivers.
Are you one of the millions of family #caregivers in the US? We can help. Tweet us your Qs Thurs, Aug 16, 2pm ET using #caresupport
— AARP Family (@AARPFamily) August 15, 2012
I am not working for AARP or involved with the twitter chat, but I will be there. Listening. Maybe sharing my story. Maybe responding with a, “I know what you mean.”
I’m going to be talking a lot more about elder care, caregiving, and Alzheimer’s. I am pushing myself to work more and more on the book and to do that I need to dive back into the world that I was in for so many years. Not that I have forgotten. I can never forget. But it is helpful to remind myself that I DO have answers that can help people. I do have suggestions or points of reference. I may not be an expert on many things – but taking care of a loved one at home? I can write a book on that!
I signed up to walk in the Philadelphia Walk to End Alzheimer’s on November 17. And then I decided I can do more than walk. I can lead a team. So I started a team. (haven’t asked anyone else to join it yet…so I should get on that!)
Last night I watched Brian Williams talk about the new ad and the message about how caregivers suffer in silence as there is so rarely anyone to talk to when the going gets tough. I am lucky. Sure I was lonely on most days if not all days. But I had a place to go with my loneliness. I had a place to put my words and receive comfort in return. I never felt like my sadness was done in silence. Seeing the statistics of caregivers just in the US alone makes me worried. Who is taking care of the people that are taking care of people?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I am happy to join your team. My grandmother has Alzheimer’s and, well, its not pretty.
I will buy the book dude. Write it!
If I were able to be in Philadelphia, I would join your team. Alzheimer’s is awful, something our family also knows first hand.
If I lived anywhere near Phila. I’d join you. Alzheimers is currently hitting my husband’s grandmother and it is so very sad.
I’m always so glad that you’ve shared your experiences, as I wonder if I will end up being a caregiver some day. My grandparents all died many years ago and my parents are still fairly young. But I suspect in another 15 years or so, it will end up being me in this role.
holy shit. what a powerful video. getting that website to my mom. Right. Now. thank you.
I want to join your team, too. My grandmother died with Altzheimer’s, too. Did I ever tell you that?
Write the book, lady! I’d buy it and I’d promote the shit out of it.
You know this resonates with me. A bit.
Write that book.
Long time lurker
My family is just in the beginnings of dealing with Alzheimer’s. At first, it was thought that my mem had dementia, but as time went on, it became clear that the problem was much more complex. My aunt and uncle tried to keep her home, but physically, my grandmother is very fit. For her safety, they had to put her in a facility that specializes in Alzheimer’s patients. She began getting out of the house in the middle of the night — she couldn’t be left alone ever since during the day, she would attempt to cook and would forget what she was doing.
We only experienced what this was like for a short time, so I can’t imagine how you took care of your grandmother on your own. It is an unbelievable strain emotionally and my family found it difficult to be able to sleep at night wondering if she was getting out again.
Looking forward to that book!
I’d pre-order the book now if I could! Mwah!
Let me add my voice to the many that are encouraging you to write that book!