Caregiving and COVID-19: “One day at a time”
Caregiving during the pandemic
At Elizz, we have discovered some common threads of the caregiving experience during COVID-19:
- It’s hard enough being a caregiver, let alone in a pandemic.
- Dad’s day program is cancelled for geez, who knows how long?
- My Mom is so out of sorts with all the changes to her routine.
- “I’m so sorry. We just can’t help you at this time because of the coronavirus” said the community agency
- I have no choice except to work from home. The quarantine makes everyone so edgy, even my da*n cat is on edge!
- I want things back to normal. I feel everything is out of my control.
What can be done?
Take it “One Day at a Time”. This tried-and true slogan used in the recovery movement has been life-altering for many people in 12-step programs and can undoubtedly apply to family caregivers too.
Every day begins with a sunrise and ends with a sunset and we all share the same 24 hours. Facing life one day at a time is a more doable way to get through caregiving responsibilities. Sometimes needing to break things down into even more manageable segments of time like just for this hour or for the next five minutes can make all the difference to a caregiver.
Try a “Just for Today” activity
Just for today…I will phone and connect with someone
Call a friend, let them know you were thinking about them. The call doesn’t have to be lengthy. Funny thing, at the end of the call you won’t know who uplifted who.
Just for today…I will allow a “worry” period
Set an alarm for 30 minutes to worry (preferably early on in your day) so that the rest of the time becomes a worry-free zone. As you develop the skill of postponing worrying, you also begin to realize that you have more control than you think.
Just for today…I will get out of my pyjamas
While working from home, get dressed as though going to the office. This will help you get ready for the day and set you in a work state of mind. We know what staying in your pyjamas makes you really want to do.
Just for today… I will take five minutes for myself
You may not have the caregiver relief/respite you’ve come to depend on pre-COVID. You are most likely catching snippets of time for yourself here and there and when you can. Take a 5 minute snippet to breathe mindfully. Slowly but surely, 5 minute breathing can become a new habit that decreases your stress.
Just for today…I will take a moment to watch the birds outside my window
Observing birds is a great opportunity to simply be present and think calming thoughts.
Just for today… I will look into trying an online support group
One of our readers “Sarah”, a daughter caring for her mother with dementia, relayed that she’d never considered online support until recently. Her mother constantly shadowed her within the home. She was suspicious and paranoid about Sarah’s whereabouts and activities. Sarah was able to take breaks and escape with playing games and reading Facebook posts on her tablet as long as Mom had her in sight. One evening, Sarah took a chance and registered for an online adult child caregiver support group. Using her tablet, she nonchalantly plugged in her ear buds, joined in on the group and listened in as others shared about their caregiving experiences. Sarah was able to participate by using the online chat feature. Mom could see her “playing” on the tablet. In the mean time, Sarah received validation and support from her caregiving peers without Mom suspecting a thing.
An Inspirational Poem: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. (Author unknown)
There are two days in every week
about which we should not worry,
Two days which should be kept free of fear and apprehension.
One of these days is YESTERDAY,
With its mistakes and cares,
Its faults and blunders,
Its aches and pains.
YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back YESTERDAY.
We cannot undo a single act we performed;
We cannot erase a single word we said.
YESTERDAY is gone.
The other day we should not worry about is TOMORROW
With its possible adversities, its burdens, its larger promise.
TOMORROW is also beyond our immediate control.
TOMORROW, the sun will rise,
Either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds,
But it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in TOMORROW
For it is as yet unborn.
This leaves only one day – TODAY.
Any man can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities
– YESTERDAY and TOMORROW –
That we break down.
It is not the experience of TODAY that drives men mad.
It is remorse or bitterness for something which happened YESTERDAY
And the dread of what TOMORROW may bring.
Let us, therefore, live but ONE day at a time.
Tell us how One Day at a Time has worked for you in your role as caregiver.
