Stories from Caregivers: Robert from MICHIGAN
MI
Robert
FROM MICHIGAN
My name is Robert, and I am a full-time caregiver without compensation for my mother. My mother is of advanced age and is basically deaf. Her cognitive abilities are less each month and each day is a challenge for me to ensure her quality of life has some degree of self independence. When your a caregiver, your basically a human protective Firefighter of sorts. You serve and protect the elderly, handicapped, and disadvantaged from being burned alive in the aging process. Caregiving is 24/7. You don't have the privilege of logging off your computer at the end of the day, leaving work, and going home. The stress of caregiving can be relentless. Why do I do it then? If Caregiving is so demanding why bother? Speaking for myself, I feel Caregiving is rewarding aside from all the the downsides. When I transport my mother to the gym for exercise, knowing she is the eldest female out of hundreds of female members.My efforts,and actions, are helping preserve her mobility, and dignity. Giving her the freedom of choices, and the ability to keep moving. My actions save the government(s) lots of money. My mother is able to stay in her own home and feed herself after I cook the meals. The list of my tasks as a Caregiver are numerous. Each day I can tweak out where my Mom has a life of some sorts of quality- is a victory. That's why I do what I do. The question of the day is this. Who is going to care for me in the future?
