Hazel A. is from California, and was one of forty finalists chosen out of the over 1,000 entries to our “What Advice Would You Give to a Fellow Caregiver?” Contest. You can find our grand prize and runner up winners here.
What advice would you give a fellow caregiver?
Sitting with my sweet mama. She is now confined to bed. She has stopped eating solid food but is still taking liquids. Can’t really communicate with words. Reflecting on her life. So glad I have been able to spend this time with her. Over the last four years I have been sad, angry, frustrated and felt I was doing it all alone. But now that the end is near, I realize I have loved a new mom. Not the one who raised me, gave me advice, took me shopping. I have loved the mom who couldn’t remember who I was, the mom who had a crush on her 30-something caregiver, who lost all her inhibitions, who told crazy stories. She made me laugh, she made me cry. This time has been precious. I could tell you to take care of yourself, get some rest, ask for help. But my best advice to all the caregivers out there: love your loved one for who they are today.
Laugh with them. Sing with them. Dance with them. When the end comes, there will be no regrets.
Click here to head to the contest home page and read more advice.
Finalists were selected by the Marketing Team at Shield HealthCare. Those finalists were submitted to a panel of independent judges who picked three grand prize winners and five runners up. The judges included: Sandra Mitchell, Award-winning KCAL 9 news anchor and breast cancer survivor, and the Landers family: actor and comedian David Landers (“Laverne & Shirley”) who is living with MS, his wife Kathy and his daughter Natalie (“The Middle”). Click here to learn more.
