“Hail to the Chief”
COMMANDER IN CHIEF-THE CAREGIVER
THE TRANSITION OF POWER
“The Transition of Power,” is a phrase with which most Americans have become familiar over the past several years.
Most notably used in the Political World, the “Transition of Power” is the process where the newly elected Administration takes over for the current Administration. Some people joke that it is the day the “secret” codes/keys/documents are passed on to the new Commander in Chief.
It is a process in which President Trump refused to participate both incoming and outgoing.
In the Corporate World, the “transition of power” occurs when taking over the office of an employee who has been promoted, fired, or “officially” resigned to pursue other opportunities and spend time with family. All files, folders and information are transferred from their company-owned hard drive to yours. Having participated in several of these corporate moves, I can honestly say that I have NEVER used or referred to the files of my predecessor. I’m sure that most Corporate Executives will secretly tell you that that information is of no use, especially if you have little to no intention of doing things in the same manner.
The transition of power from my Mother to me has been much less formal and much more painful—for everyone concerned.
As the child who has become Caregiver in this relationship, my first inclination was to include my Mother in all decisions. Big mistake!
Including my Mom in the “Grocery Store’ process was a virtual nightmare. She compiled a shopping list which had no resemblance to what was actually needed. And her method of shopping does not matter, as she is not the one doing the shopping!
Inquiries regarding the daily menu or timing of meals invariably led me to cooking things that I did not want to cook and serving at inconvenient times. Since I am technically responsible for the 3-meals provided each day—cooking, serving, and cleaning up after—it is best that those activities occur at my convenience timed around traditional mealtimes. Otherwise, my Mother treats this as a Private Room in a fine dining establishment and me as her Waitress serving at her beck and call.
Left alone to schedule appointments, my Mom ALWAYS choses the most inconvenient times. She routinely makes an appointment at the nail salon for Saturday mid-morning. Saturday mid-morning would qualify as the busiest time. Saturday is the day when everyone who works weekdays and cannot take long lunch hours, must schedule appointments. With no pressing engagements all week long and no events to attend, why make an appointment for the busiest day and time at the nail salon? My position as Caregiver affords me the ability to assume the responsibility of making all such appointments moving forward.
For some odd reason, my Mother refuses to make notes—of phone calls and of what is said during those calls. It is important—no it is critical when speaking with Senior Health Care providers to take notes! In order to avoid the confusion and consequences of inaccurate information, I have attempted to direct all of these calls to my cell phone.
As a Caregiver, I have multiple areas of responsibility and I must ignore all control and denial issues—both mine and my Mother’s.
As her Caregiver, I am the newly appointed Commander in Chief of my Mother’s world; therefore, I can no longer deny that I am in control. And unlike the positions of President and Corporate Executive, there is no job description or rules of engagement. The role of Caregiver for me requires serious “on the job” training.
I’ve often thought of the jobs of President of the United States, the Catholic Pope, and the Director of Advertising for a major Automotive Brand as some of the toughest jobs in the world. Little did I know that honor belongs to the job of Caregiver!
Since there was no predecessor, no Caregiver before me, there are no notes to which I can refer. There was no transition of power. However, much like the aforementioned positions, “No Need!”
When I was a little girl, my Grandmother called me, “The Big Chief,” because technically I was the eldest of her Grandchildren. I got this!
To quote a former President of the US, “I’m the Chief!”
Caregiver in Chief that is!
“2 Years”
2 YEARS… – A Caregiver’s Conscience (caregiversconscience.com)
“The Grocery Store”
THE GROCERY STORE – A Caregiver’s Conscience (caregiversconscience.com)
“3 Meals a Day”
https://www.caregiversconscience.com/3-meals-a-day/
Presidents Abe Lincoln & George Washington
“Honored on President’s Day – February 22nd”
President Obama, President Bush, President Clinton
“After Leaving the Office of the President of the United States”
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