Caregiver Support

If it were not for my daughter, Beth Miller, I would not be able to stay in my home. Because of a falling accident almost a year ago, I have been in the hospital numerous times, a rehab stay at Risen Son, and now my home.
I do not have space to tell all the things she does for me. To begin the day, she gets me out of bed and helps me with cleaning up and all the things that are needed in the bathroom, which are many things I can't do for myself. I use a walker to get to the table for meals after she gets me dressed.
Beth takes care of ordering the medications from the pharmacy and puts them in my AM and PM containers.
When going places she helps me in and out of the car and uses a transport chair to get me to my appointments.
At night she gets me ready for bed and hooks up my overnight catheter bag and my CPAP machine.
She is kind and loving in spite of all she had to do. She deals with the stress by praying a lot and by going for long walks.
B. Wendell Miller

Our family has been going through a lot of changes recently, as my 82 year old mother in law, Lois, was diagnosed with dementia and I have stepped into a caregiver role. She has been a stronghold in our family and I want to do for her what she has done all along for us — be someone for her to lean on who will always treat her with respect, honesty, and love. I want to see her continue doing all the things she enjoys, like cooking, puzzles, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, while in a safe environment.

I know she will need help, and we are renovating the house to make her more comfortable and have helped her move in. I regularly help her with transportation, going with her to doctor’s appointments, and managing her finances and medicines. I have been educating myself about Alzheimers and am looking for additional resources and a support system moving forward.

I enjoy listening to and singing worship music, remembering each day is new and a gift from God. Lois and I pray and read scripture together, and that has become a very special and treasured time for the both of us to bond together and grow closer to the Lord. One of her favorite verses is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”

I consider it a privilege to care for my husband of more than 40 years. He has multiple health conditions that have changed him and his abilities throughout the years – but he’s still the wonderful man I fell in love with years ago. I believe our faith and commitment to one another and to God keep us together. Sure, sometimes it’s tough, but I try to remember the medical conditions are causing the changes, and as difficult as it can be for me, more than likely it’s harder for him.
We deal with the stress together. Humor is huge. I’ve discovered recently that he enjoys the craziest jokes and stories that often show up on Facebook and read them aloud to him. We look for strategies that work to help with those difficult situations that could drive us crazy. Covid-19 has made it difficult to ask others to help. However, I’ve learned there are tasks I can and do hire out such as lawn care. There are still those few trusted family members who pitch in and mean so much! And I appreciate working for an employer that understands the challenges of caregiving! While presenting the Stress Busting course, I’m learning right alongside the participants. The course has been awesome! Looking forward to doing Powerful Tools for Caregivers in January!

My father, Keith, has been diagnosed with lung and prostate cancer. He also has congestive heart failure and dementia. I have moved in with him to be his care giver. I provide his daily care, take care of household issues, medicines, doctor appt., finances and whatever else needs done.
He still likes his independence so he will head to the machine shed or his garage and tinker with his antiques and farm equipment! I love to hear his stories and also have learned a lot about antiques!
He has always been the tower of strength in our family. Now that he is in the winter of years it is my turn to take care of him. The grandkids and great grandkids love spending time with him. To hear his laughter, and stories and enjoy the time he has left is a blessing to all of us.
Thanks to Connections and the Stress-Busting Program I have learned new ways to be a better care-giver and also ways to help myself cope when the stress of it becomes distressing! I love to read, I have started coloring and am journaling all of dad’s reminisciencings! I am priveleged to be his care giver. The moments I spend with my dad today will be etched in my heart forever and will be cherished when he has gone.