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Take Care - Part IV
By
Tom Quirk |
 Scituate
- Stress, if
unrecognized, can lead to many medical conditions with
serious adverse consequences. There are many warning signals
that require a prompt response as soon as they are apparent;
physical, behavioral, emotional and cognitive. Stress can be
alleviated with social support, nutrition, exercise, belief
systems and many breathing and relaxation techniques. When
anxiety becomes overwhelming, certain breathing exercises
can be a swift form of relief. Some lean toward yoga, tai
chi or even relaxing music.
When being overcome by circumstances of the illness and its
new caregiver responsibilities, we must endeavor to assume a
positive outlook and to acknowledge our (perhaps newly
found) strengths and accomplishments; not our shortcomings.
Perhaps our loved one cannot express their appreciation for
all that we do and that can be frustrating. We must rely on
our strengths, accomplishments and the gifts that we bring
to the care giving role.
It is important to make time for ourselves. Plan it and
schedule it as we would a doctor’s appointment. With a
network of family and friends to (temporarily) assume the
role as prime caregiver, we can and should step aside, if
only for this brief respite.
When folks find themselves facing daunting new caretaker
responsibilities, the best thing is to find someone who has
“been there, done that.” Although each case is unique, there
are many challenges that are a routine part of the recovery
journey. Why reinvent the wheel? The support group paradigm
allows survivors and caregivers to connect with other
survivors and caretakers and to learn from those who have
faced the same circumstances and prevailed. There are enough
challenges that are specific to our survivor, so why not
profit whenever possible, from those who have gone before
us?
It is within the support group, that this sharing of
information and inspiration can move the caregiver
experience forward.
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About The
Author
For more information, you may contact Tom Quirk at (781)
545-2300 or via email at tfquirk@ aol.com. For more
information on brain aneurysms, please visit the Brain
Aneurysm Foundation’s web site at www.bafound.org.
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