Adjusting to the caregiving role is a slow and sometimes scary process.

I had to constantly remind myself that it was progress, not perfection.

I wanted to do it all immediately and do it all perfectly.

As we all know, none of us are perfect, but in a situation like this when it feels like there is so much at stake and everything seems so important, I really tried to overcompensate.

Little did I know, I was headed for early burn out. I had to slow down, do the best I could on a daily basis, and take it one day at a time.

There are so many moving parts to the caregiving experience and adjusting to all the details, doctors, prescriptions, housing, insurance, psychological and physical issues take time and extraordinary patience; patience not only for those around us, but also for ourselves.

Surviving the caregiving journey with the least amount of stress and most amount of joy depends on our ability to take it slow and give ourselves and our loved one a break.

Take the time to adjust calmly.

Get lots of support and be as kind to yourself as you are to those you care for.

If you are a family caregiver caring for a loved one and need assistance with information or services that may be available to you, contact Twila Doucet, Caregiver Coordinator at LTCA of Enid Area Agency on Aging at 580-234-7475 or tdoucet@ltcaenid.org.

You can also visit our website ltcaenid. org for more information.