This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Elizz for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
When I asked a few friends and colleagues who they felt a typical caregiver was, other than one who watches over young children, most said it was a spouse taking care of their elderly husband or wife. There was a time when I would have agreed with that statement, but the truth is pretty much anyone can be a caregiver to a family member or friend. We often see one neighbor helping out another on a regular basis or hear about a co-worker whose parent has moved in with them. In a world where everything is fast paced it is nice to see that the traditional role of caregiver is being redefined to include a broader range of individuals. But, this altruistic sense empathy can come at a cost.
Quite some time ago my father-in-law was stricken with a crippling brain aneurysm and subsequent stroke. This happened in the prime of his life and was a devastating blow to my mother-in-law and her children. Once my father-in-law came home, my mother-in-law had to completely change her habits like when and how meals were made to cleaning the house and even when she could go to work. My mother-in-law took on this role and has never looked back. She is amazing; however, there is another unsung hero in this story: my husband. It is true that my mother-in-law took on the traditional role of caregiver for her disabled spouse, but at the same time my husband, the youngest of three children, shouldered a lot of that job as well. And he was happy to do it, for his dad as well as his mom.
Grandpa surrounded by his grandchildren.
As the years have passed more responsibility has been given to my husband in not only helping with his father’s care, but even his mom’s at time. It is what any good son would do and I love him even more for that. But, I worry. I have seen the toll this caregiver relationship has had on my mother-in-law and while my husband does not complain, I can see it having a huge effect on him, emotionally, mentally and physically. It was a relief to me when I recently found a way to help both my mother-in-law and my husband deal with the responsibility that being a caregiver brings. Elizz is a website for Canadian caregivers and their loved ones. Elizz provides resources that I could not have even fathomed needing.
The journey to becoming a caregiver is different for everyone and Elizz helps you find the best path to take. The 5 Stages of Caregiving provide a great guideline to see where you may currently be in your caregiver role. This quiz can help you. 5 Stages of Caregiving Quiz The vast array of articles will help you prepare a plan of action in the areas that need it most, like organizing your charge’s medical and health records or planning for an emergency. With the large library of information waiting to be accessed, a person can get lost so you can review (Which Elizz caregiver services are right for you?) to get a better idea of what is offered. Elizz recognizes caregivers as the selfless people they are, but takes it further by offering support services for them like coaching, online counselling and nursing advisement.
Even though the caregiver journey started for my mother-in-law and my husband many years ago, it is never too late to look at what Elizz has to offer. The Elizz positioning that “support for you is care for those who depend on you” shows that by focusing on meeting a caregiver’s needs, we truly are taking care of the needs of the care recipient. In order to give the best of you to those you take care of, please take care of yourself first.
Are you a caregiver to an older relative or friend?
FT&PD
Suz
Excellent information, Suzanne. I am forwarding this to a friend who will definitely benefit from the site. Thanks.
Another good article Suzanne. The five stages of care giving are good info for anyone of us to leatn from, because in the end most of us will have to do alittle of it for someone in the family.
Caring for my parents and father in law is something that looms in my mind as they get older. I wish we lived closer to them, I’m not sure who will be their caregiver
never heard of this company, and although it says canada, is it aimed at the east?> at cities? I couldn’t find very much info on the web site
Caregivers give so much, they need to be recognised more for all they do.
Nice article, thank you for sharing. I’ve been a caregiver for my own spouse for more than 20 of our 30+ years of marriage. I wish I knew then what I know now or that at the very least I had had help from some organizations like this back then. But that didn’t happen so in hind sight I’ll just say, while I wouldn’t change a thing in my relationship, I would advise any new caregiver to not let themselves get lost in the process of caring for others.
I have never heard of this company before. I dread that period in my life, but it is nice that there is a company willing to help out and make it easier!
I don’t even want to think about this right now., I know it’s the inevitable and I should be planning but I’m hoping we have a lot of years left before we have to care for our parents.
This just makes me sad – it reminds me of my Mom who passed 2 1/2 years ago. We were very close and we cared for her when she moved to London. It was a special time that I wouldn’t change for anything because she was happy and we were so close physically that this time became a gift to the kids too even though at the time it was exhausting and it felt like we are all drowning in the daily needs and appointments. I am glad there is a web site that helps. I wish it had been around sooner.
I’ve never heard of this company before but thanks for sharing, important information for sure.
Those who care for others also need others to care for them. I don’t even want to think about this when I get old but I hope that there will be enough services available by then for those who care for their family members or people who are in need of help.
Bravo to your husband, Suzanne. And to you who understood why he had to do what he was doing. Some wives would resent what her husband was doing for his parents. Taking care of an invalid loved one is really a most draining and often thankless duty.
Caregivers really do a very difficult job. They really uplift those in need. They should really be appreciated and thanked.
I have great respects for everyone who works to care for other people. Caregivers, helpers, nannies, nurses, doctors. You name it. Some people find it difficult to show compassion and care to others, but these people in these professions, they do it whole heartedly.
Great info, Suzanne. I’ve been through this–with both parents–and it’s a long, hard road. Wish I would have had this info then!
I moved my parents in years agoi to care for them. It can take it’s toll for sure.
Your husband is a gem Suzanne! I have watched the toll being a care-giver took on my mom with her mom, and it was a struggle at the time to get her to see she needed to take care of herself too. This is really good information.
This is great info and such a great company that you are letting people know about. I remember my grandfather had multiple strokes, and within just a few years he became completely dependent on round the clock care. He did not want to go into a nursing home, so my sweet grandma was his primary caretaker. To this day I don’t know how that little woman lifted my 6 foot tall, probably 300 pound grandpa on and off the toilet, into and out of bed, into and out of the shower, day in and day out, except for just pure love and devotion. I was too young to really help at the time, but I wish she would have had something like this. When she finally had to put him in a nursing home, he passed soon after, and she did, too, although I think hers was more of from a broken heart than any real physical ailment. What a great service this company is providing!
Yes, we should spend some time with our caregiver as well, Hopefully its explosive
That’s such a needed service… In India its very common to see joint families where ppl live with their parents & children under the same roof…
What great information! I can’t imagine having such a large change in my life right now and I’m sure it’s hard for everyone. Your husband is doing such a kind and loving thing though, it’s wonderful!
I do have high respect for caregivers and nurses. Personally, I do not think i can do what they do. When my father was sick because of cancer, my aunt who has a training in caregiving was the one who assisted him most of the time in the hospital. I am glad we do have a family member that is a caregiver.
It’s always great to have options, especially when it comes to caring for your loved ones. You’re right, we’re living in a fast paced world now and it’s time we keep up. Thanks for all the details about this!
This one is really touching. I know it’s sponsored but it’s a story that’s close to a lot of people’s hearts! I love how Elizz can help a lot of people especially if they don’t know how to deal with a complicated situation as a caregiver,
I am a nurse so caregiving is practically what my job entitles me to do. It’s no easy task, but I love it.
We all care too much for ourselves rather than for others, which I realized by reading this article.
The job of a caregiver is really not easy! There are so many things the caregiver need to learn and this is something that comes with experience. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I am not so familiar with the name of this company but yes caregiver job is the toughest and only those who can do from their heart can take this job.
It’s pretty sad that a lot of people tend to underestimate the function of a caregiver and how hard they have to work to be where they are. It takes just SO MUCH heart! :O
Great post! When it comes to take care of elderly, we should go for the best. Afterall, how to forget what they have done for us all their lives.
I’ve never heard of this company, but they sound very caring. We’ll all need some help taking care of ourselves eventually.
I really admire your husband and your mother-in-law. I find the five stages of care giving to be really useful. It’s good to know that companies like Elizz exists.
Wow! This is a great initiative! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Nurses and care givers are heroes. Their job is not easy. And its a passion i guess
This is a great post! My mom and aunt (both have been nurses in the past) have taken turns being a caregiver to my grandma and I know at times that it can be very stressful but staying together and working together as a unit helps. It takes a lot of teamwork and patience.
That was a great article, thank you for sharing. The five stages of caregiving are very useful. Elizz sounds like a great company. Caregivers have one of the hardest jobs, emotionally and physically.
People think of age but at any age you may need a caregiver we just had a young man in our Community only 57 that has a stroke and now can only use haft his body that could be anyone of us.I have MS and have a caretaker for many years actually more than i want to remember.Caregivers have one of the hardest jobs, emotionally draining and physically stressfull everyday.My Mom at almost 91 drives and has a much better social life than i ever did and loves life but it will be so difficult when she no longer can.
I am not a caregiver but see this becoming a bigger issue as our health services decline and our population ages.
Caregivers give so much,their time,love and patience.It’s a stressful job and unless you are doing it you really don’t know everything it takes to get the job done correct.
My Mom at 92 still lives alone and drives,does her own work,i so hope i have gotten her genes!