There is/are volumes of learning here and beyond. I have not had the fortune of being a parent, but I gave 100% of myself as a caregiver to my parents during their dementia journey. I was always an empathetic person, but years of being THE advocate for my parents, accommodated by FMLA, changed me forever. My parents were entering their 90s as I was entering my late 40s, the age difference explained by my adoption in the 1960s. What ensued over the following years was traumatic, devastating. I have so many ideas for improving caregiving, especially as it pertains to dementia. I even paid $10,000 to post a billboard over I-95 in Philadelphia for 3 months to call out the state of dementia care. Our culture in America falls short of that in some other countries as it pertains to caring for each other. I hope what I have learned can be documented in some way some day, firstly to improve caregiving, but also to effect a greater understanding of the sacrifices caregivers are making and the support they and their loved ones need to survive. For the rest of my days, I will see everything through an empathetic lens. ✊
This is fascinating. Thank you! I've been a primary caregiver for almost 20 years and have experienced the contempt for my role many times. It can be subtle, and it can be overt. There's still a toxic assumption that the man makes the money and the woman raises the kids. 🙄 If you flip that script it drives people nuts and they try to make you feel ashamed for it. I've always thought "too bad for them" and carried on. It often comes from older people who have dinosaur attitudes about gender roles. I hope that's changing. Seems like it. I'll check out the book!
Thank you for pointing a spotlight on the issue of care.
How do we get this perspective more space in our 101 classes and even in high school?
Another issue: The low wages afforded to anyone who cares for a living - nursing home care, childcare staff… is unconscionable. This work is exhausting and takes tremendous skill to do it well.
We don’t need a society of only STEM workers and Finance wizards. Let’s value CARE.
There is/are volumes of learning here and beyond. I have not had the fortune of being a parent, but I gave 100% of myself as a caregiver to my parents during their dementia journey. I was always an empathetic person, but years of being THE advocate for my parents, accommodated by FMLA, changed me forever. My parents were entering their 90s as I was entering my late 40s, the age difference explained by my adoption in the 1960s. What ensued over the following years was traumatic, devastating. I have so many ideas for improving caregiving, especially as it pertains to dementia. I even paid $10,000 to post a billboard over I-95 in Philadelphia for 3 months to call out the state of dementia care. Our culture in America falls short of that in some other countries as it pertains to caring for each other. I hope what I have learned can be documented in some way some day, firstly to improve caregiving, but also to effect a greater understanding of the sacrifices caregivers are making and the support they and their loved ones need to survive. For the rest of my days, I will see everything through an empathetic lens. ✊
thank you for talking to me about care! and now...onward, to getting all parents and caregivers the support, respect and curiosity they deserve.
This is fascinating. Thank you! I've been a primary caregiver for almost 20 years and have experienced the contempt for my role many times. It can be subtle, and it can be overt. There's still a toxic assumption that the man makes the money and the woman raises the kids. 🙄 If you flip that script it drives people nuts and they try to make you feel ashamed for it. I've always thought "too bad for them" and carried on. It often comes from older people who have dinosaur attitudes about gender roles. I hope that's changing. Seems like it. I'll check out the book!
Thank you for pointing a spotlight on the issue of care.
How do we get this perspective more space in our 101 classes and even in high school?
Another issue: The low wages afforded to anyone who cares for a living - nursing home care, childcare staff… is unconscionable. This work is exhausting and takes tremendous skill to do it well.
We don’t need a society of only STEM workers and Finance wizards. Let’s value CARE.