My kids have their own lives and shouldn’t have to be burdened with me,” said the mother in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.I’ve made the statement myself and heard it from Linda when she was diagnosed with Frontotemperal Dementia.
For a long time, I have wanted to improve my appearance and over all Health for reasons that are odd but not relevant. Many people with dementia are hypersensitive to feelings as expressed in voice tone and non-verbal communication.
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. As long as she avoids the futile question, “What would he have wanted?” and contents herself with the (difficult enough) question, “What is best for him now?” I will have no quarrel with her.
I’ve never asked or had the courage to seek for help before, mainly because I don’t want to be a burden to people and feel my ‘problem’ (if I have one) isn’t important. Nonetheless, as the workshop wore on, I found myself giving it only a part of my attention, because I couldn’t help musing on this recurring theme. The leper had to live outside the camp because he was highly contagious, and leprosy was a painful and deadly disease. If you are ever in Nashville, I hope you can stop by GCFA!Ken , Thank you. Maybe you want to come clean about your past because you didn’t just tell a lie, you’re actually living a lie. I don’t know how to make the point other than a little too crassly—other than by saying that I want to be a burden to my loved ones.
Many people come to such a workshop already quite knowledgeable about the topic to be discussed.
It is common to see the elderly living with the next generation there. Why are you so reluctant to share your struggles with people who care about you? And how do we deal with the natural feelings of hurt pride?There are amazing benefits that come to those who serve others. It may be a faint smile, or sudden sparkle in the eye, or an unexpected hug, or a jolly laugh, or a friendly “hello.” But in that simple moment of joy, those whom society considers as burdens lift my burdens.Together we meet the One who extends this invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. While God expects those who are older to continue to bear spiritual fruit, this fruit is now more likely to be teaching and encouragement than hard, physical labor.Growing old is part of God’s design for human beings. It was a privilege, and I’m glad to know they feel the same way about me as I move into my sunset years.Thank you for this very thoughtful comment!
... After being a help giver for so many years, one who now needs help may feel guilty and worried about becoming a burden to family and friends. of course u r a burden every person is to there family u will just be a bigger burden if u make them worry look my advice is if u really want to be unconditionally loved get close to your sibling they will love you if u give them even the tiniest spec of respect and love. Bearing burdens is in our DNA! Caregivers often have a difficult time and I know they will also appreciate the patient’s perspective.
March 10, 2016 To sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please CLICK HERE . Dimentia persons still can care for a mourning friend.
To grow and flourish, healthy relationships need to be tended with love and care.Feeling like you’re being punished by God is normal for two reasons: 1) life is filled with difficult losses, terrible tragedies, and dry stretches of boredom and loneliness; and 2) you are human, which means you screw up.
But, rightly understood, I think I do.
We simply find ourselves thrown together and asked to share the burdens of life while learning to care for each other. I was on the streets for a long time, by myself.