What does being a carer mean to you?

[Revitalise1963]

Experience has taught us that as a carer you are utterly devoted to your loved one. What does being a carer mean to you? What words would you use to describe what it's like to care for a loved one? Tell us your thoughts by commenting below and at the end of the week we'll create a word cloud using the words that you've shared. Thank you!

[jaykay777]

To me being a carer involves devotion and sacrifice. It also becomes an ingrained part of your personality long after the person you cared for has gone.

[AliBee1]

I have not left words but am leaving a poem that I wrote and that has lots of words in it:

Dementia Care

Caring for one with dementia is a lonely affair

because of ‘you as a person’ they’re no longer aware.

They’re living their life in their own little bubble,

unaware you have needs, and might need a cuddle.

It’s not that they’re selfish but they’re very self-centred

as their view of living has become very blinkered.

But, when you’re not in sight they’ll become quite bombastic,

it’s as if you’re attached to a piece of elastic,

and if you cannot comply with what they are needing

you can be accused of being unfeeling.

They lose all awareness of the concept of time

so can live in the past, or repeat the same sentence time after time,

and if they want lunch in the middle of night

you cannot convince them that the time isn’t right.

There are times when you can’t understand what they’re seeing,

that they’re not where they are, or ‘there’s a cat on the ceiling’,

and if you don’t understand, they can say something hurtful,

and you want to walk out as it’s all far too stressful,

but you cannot do that: you have to stay calm

to act for you both as the steadying arm.

You take on the money; the cooking; the care

so there’s no time for the ‘you’ that’s hiding in there.

BUT, having said all these things, it can also be sunny

when they suddenly smile, or do something funny.