IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS
Or “This is Assisted Living.”
As a Caregiver, it’s often the little things that make the most difference.
Each morning my Mother takes a shower and it’s a blessing that she can handle that solo with no assistance from me. Although I am on high alert throughout the duration of the shower to make sure that she does not fall, I can listen from another room.
Each day she attempts to get dressed all by herself, but she is waylaid early on as she cannot fasten her bra. And so, each day I help by fastening the hooks on her bra. It’s just a little thing.
When I stock the refrigerator and shelves with food just purchased from the Grocery store, I am careful to place the items that she likes up front on the shelves and in the fridge. This way she can grab whatever she likes to drink or snack on by herself.
I also loosen the caps on her preferred bottled water, juice, milk and Glucerna shakes. I open the bottles and then close the caps enough to prevent leaks. It’s just a little thing.
Not only is my Mom able to handle her personal hygiene alone she also has a preference on soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shower gel, etc. And her products are not mine; therefore, I have to keep an inventory of hers in order to make sure that I order them before she runs out.
And because I am a good shopper, I buy those items in bulk often times in a bottle or container that it much too large for her to handle. I take the time to transfer Listerine from the large bottle to a smaller bottle. It’s just a little thing.
My Mother wears perfume and earrings everyday whether she is leaving the house or not. Therefore, I must help her put her hoops through her ears or secure the backs on her earrings daily.
I enter phone numbers in her cell phone contact list and much to my dismay, I aid her with the television remote in finding her favorite shows. Yes, those same shows that keep me awake “all night long.”
And every day while she’s in the shower, I make her bed. It’s just a little thing.
But it’s the little things that matter.
These little things allow her to maintain a sense of dignity.
The little things help add a touch of Independence to her otherwise dependent existence.
It’s the little things that help her to feel pretty, feel clean and feel connected.
We were taught to make our beds every day—preferably in the morning; but definitely before getting back in the bed. Making her bed enables my Mother to keep her own house rules.
When I embarked on this Caregiver journey, I asked my Mom what she wanted to do.
And she very quickly said “I want to stay here in my home.”
I have come to realize that this—this situation right here, right now, is Assisted Living.
Because these little things help my Mother to remain in her home and live life her way—with my Assistance.
2 YEARS… – A Caregiver’s Conscience (caregiversconscience.com)
ALL NIGHT LONG – A Caregiver’s Conscience (caregiversconscience.com)
‘HELP!” – The Beatles
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