Who Takes Care of the Caregiver Blog 8

Who takes care of the caregiver when the caregiver is sick?  I always find this an added twist to the female condition.  I found it out and was not surprised when I got a terrible flu a week or so ago.  I have made it a habit since my surgery to be more cognizant of getting my yearly flu shot.  But, that shot only guards against respiratory strains ( at least that is what I am told by the nurses at my doctor's office.)  So, getting the stomach flu was another type of illness and one that came at the worst of all times. 

This year, my Green ABC's for Kids won an Innovator of the Year Award from an area publication and my son and were supposed to attend a recognition luncheon honoring our work.  Of course, the flu had hit me the day before and I was in  no condition to attend.

I let my son know, however, and my daughter went along with him.  She also brought me over lots of Gatorade, applesauce, crackers, etc. to nurse me back to health.  As she always has whenever I am ill.

Last weekend I went up to the lake to visit my almost 80 year old mother who is still in mourning over the loss of my father three years ago.  She is very upset right now because of the high payments she has to make for long term nursing home care and is thinking about not making the payments.  She laments about how dad had someone to take care of him and she won't have that.  Of course, I know I will help her. 

I also know that men help too in these situations.  But, all in all, when it comes down to it, women are the ones who step up and into it, when the time comes for caregiving- with no compensations, just the good knowledge that they have done their duty- for free. 

Woman's Work is Never Done - Blog 6

Women's work is never done.  I have noticed this old quote popping up periodically in the readings for this class.  And, it is so true.  I believe that women are the great caregivers of this world.  Men would like us to believe we are 'better" at this caregiving thing.  But, really we have just had much, much more practice.  We carry this burden and rarely ask for help and then wonder why we are so tired all the time, or suffer from more depression than men.

I read once that depression is really anger turned inward and that is why I believe so many women are depressed.  No matter how high we get our serotonin levels we will always have dishes to get washed, laundry to do, and beds to make.  Or, as the book said, we will have to find some other poor woman to do it.