Optimist-Pessimist-or Realist

What to Do about Mama? shared Caring.com‘s photo.

On the #SeniorCare journey — Which type of caregiver are you: optimist, pessimist, or realist? The answer may affect your stress level: http://www.caring.com/blogs/self-caring/attitude-affects-caregiving

I think I’m a realist. Here is my take on caregiving—in a nutshell. Caregivers get involved with caregiving to meet a need, solve a problem, or deal w/ a crisis. Although the situation often improves—for a while—caregivers often do not take the following into account:  1) the process of aging cannot be controlled; 2) needs will increase—sometimes over many years; or 3) how heavy the burden can become.  Therefore it is important to have realistic expectations about caregiving; to remember that we’re all moving in one direction through life; to be prepared for the unexpected; to communicate expectations clearly to the “others;” and to develop a caregiving contract of shared responsibility to be signed-off on by all involved.
Barbara Matthews

 

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