Permission to vent as caregivers!

We all have an “inner victim” that needs to vent when we’re going through particularly challenging circumstances. As caregivers, we can feel like that every day. Finding a safe way to vent can help: talking to a friend who understands, journaling, screaming in the car. Whatever it takes, it can be helpful to get the fear and anxiety out of our system. Once we do, we can make space for the joy that God wants to bring us. When we don’t feel so alone and know that somebody else understands, we can approach the day with more curiosity to see what wants to come our way to put a smile on our face. #dementiacaregiver #caregiver #victim #God #dianechew

[@dottieserafin3844]

Early stage of Parkinson’s for husband. He has mobility issues due to nerve pain in legs so uses a scooter outside. He used it yesterday to putter around outside. Long story short, he fell off the scooter several times and it was increasingly hard to get him up each time. I begged him to go inside but he wouldn’t. Finally, he fell and couldn’t get up for over an hour. We used all our tricks for getting him up but nothing worked. He was weak and tired and just could not do what he normally does. I was just about ready to call EMS when we got him up. He was too weak to operate his scooter so I had to get it and him back to the ramp and onto the porch and into the house. He was filthy from being on the ground so into the shower he went, after which he passed out on the bed from exhaustion. In addition to being exhausted myself, I was eaten up by mosquito bites from being outside without proper protection. I am hyper-reactive and so was miserably trying to treat those while trying to deal with my husband. None of this needed to happen. He should have gone in the house after puttering around for a while. He later agreed with me about that but I can assure you that he will do this again.
Because he slept after his shower he was awake until 4am. So, while he sleeps this morning, I’m exhausted and itchy and fearful of what lies ahead. Thanks for your timely message. As always, you are a wonderful, faith-based resource for those of us on this journey.

[@Dementiacoachdiane]

Thank you so much for sharing that experience Dottie. I’m sorry it took me so long to get back to you. But wow, I could feel every moment of frustration and every itchy mosquito bite. I’m really hypersensitive to those as well. They can drive me nuts. I just ordered a gait 2:16 belt for Ben because things are shifting and I can’t lift him by myself. I’m hoping some of these devices help because wow, it’s such a daunting journey to try to do on our own. Big hugs and prayers coming out to you. Maybe taking a picture of him the next time he falls on the ground could help to convince him that he doesn’t want to do that again. I try things like that with Ben, doesn’t always work, but once in a while, it helps, we don’t want to shame them, just keep them safe! ❤❤❤

[@karendragovich4163]

Vent-----it's good for the soul.