Sometimes we forget what's important..........

Just a few thoughts:

• The journey we make from cradle to grave is what we refer to as our lives. They have a beginning and they have an end. Our end can come at any time and in many ways. 

• The emotional preparation for the passing of a loved one is, to some extent, wasted effort. No matter how much you think are prepared, dealing with the event is unique to each person experiencing death and each survivor. The the sense of loss, the survivor's guilt and the loneliness are things that you can only experience at the proper place in time. This I have come to know from personal experience and the life experiences of those friends and family who surround me.

• The medical, personal, spiritual, philosophical and psychological needs of a terminally ill person out weigh most needs of those who care for them.  

•  The physical and mental comfort and well being of the dying are of utmost importance. 

The caregivers need the support of their family and friends almost unconditionally. They are most likely trying to care for their charge day and night on top of all the other things that are going on in their lives.  Things like trying to perform their day jobs, playing host and hostess, chef and room service to those who come to visit the person under their care.  How about: tying to maintain a safe and sanitary environment while dealing with and coordinating doctors, nurses, durable medical equipment providers, pharmacists, insurance companies, government agencies and Hospice. What about caring for and cleaning up after pets, doing the never ending stream of laundry generated by the person being cared for or even the caregiver's own laundry.

The family member caregiver does what they do out of personal commitment, duty to family or friends and most importantly out of love. 

Written, copyrighted and published by Steven Fritch. All rights reserved.