If you know someone who has redefined their life to serve as the “caregiver” for a loved one with dementia, stroke, or any other situation, this would be a nice day to drop them a simple note to let them know you are thinking of them.
Or better yet, give them a call and spend more time listening than giving advice or offering words meant to make them feel better.
There is no feeling better right now. There are no words to make the fog of pain and exhaustion go away. This is life right now, whatever it might have been before. If you want to offer words of faith, just say that you are thinking of them.
Or, if you are nearby, make an extra batch of whatever you are preparing for dinner tonight and just drop it by…
If you are heading to the store, give a quick call and ask them what you can pick up for them (don’t ask if you “can” pick something up, just ask what it is they need)…
And if you stop by the coffee shop while you are in town, buy an extra cup or two and drop it by…
Finally, my personal recommendation is to NOT say something like, “How can I help?” or, “Let me know if there is anything I can do.” They are very kind words, but after being “caregiver” once again I have to say that we didn’t have the ability to keep track of the things we had to do to get through our own emotional and physical fog of the day, let alone think about anything someone else might do.
I realize that everyone’s experience as “caregiver” is different. Yet I also realized that for everyone living their day as a caregiver, “Normal” has changed. It’s a great time to offer some abnormal support.
