"It's not caregiving yet" is the hardest part—The reality taught by "What Happened to My Father Before He Needed Care"

I am Kumataro Yokoyama, a training instructor and sign language interpreter.

While utilizing AI, I provide information for seniors and introduce books and gadgets.

"My parent is still healthy. But I feel like something is wrong..."

Have you ever felt that sense of unease?

・Increased forgetfulness
・Conversations don't quite click
・Cannot make decisions like they used to

However,

👉 "It's not to the point of needing care"
👉 "They say they are still fine"

Many people are confused by this "gray zone."

In this article, based on Jane Su's book
**"What Happened to My Father Before He Needed Care"**,

👉 The invisible reality of "pre-care"
👉 How families should face it at that time

will be explained in an easy-to-understand manner.

By reading this article,

👉 You will be able to put "the true nature of your current unease" into words
👉 You will see "what you should do from now on"

We aim to reach that state.

■ What is "What Happened to My Father Before He Needed Care"?

This book is one in which the author, Jane Su,

describes what she actually experienced in her relationship with her father,

👉 "A state that is too early to call caregiving, but is definitely changing."

What is important here is,

👉 The term "pre-caregiving" itself

is.

● What is pre-caregiving?

Generally, when we say "caregiving," it refers to:

・Having a certified need for long-term care
・Requiring clear support

a state that points to.

However, in reality, just before that,

👉 "A state where things are definitely changing, but it does not qualify for the system"

exists.

This state is precisely,

👉 the most invisible and the most painful

one.

■ Why is "pre-caregiving" so painful?

● There is no correct answer

If it were caregiving,

・systems
・support services
・consultation contacts

would be clear.

However, with pre-caregiving,

👉 "how to deal with it" is something no one knows

it becomes a state.

● Hard for those around you to understand

"He's still fine, right?"
"Aren't you worrying too much?"

It is not uncommon to be told things like this.

However, for the person themselves,

👉Something is definitely changing

This gap becomes a source of stress.

● The burden on the family quietly increases

・Watching over
・Checking in
・Following up

These things gradually increase.

But,

👉You can't really say you are "caregiving"

This ambiguity wears you down.

■ Why this book is excellent

The greatest appeal of "What Happened to My Father Before He Needed Care" is,

👉"The reality that isn't sugar-coated"

is it.

● Does not hide emotions

・Confusion
・Irritation
・Guilt

These emotions are depicted honestly.

That is precisely why,

👉 You can feel that "you are not alone."

It is.

● Putting things into words by reading

Things that many people feel, but

cannot put into words well.

This book does that,

👉 brilliantly putting them into words.

This is of immense value.

■ 3 measures you can take right now

So, how should you actually face this?

Here, I will introduce points you can practice immediately.

① Do not ignore "discomfort"

The most important thing is

👉 not to dismiss it as "just my imagination"

It is.

By keeping a record of small changes,

it will become material for future decisions.

② Change the quality of conversation

Instead of correcting them with logic,

👉 be conscious of an attitude of "accepting" them

This alone will change the relationship significantly.

3. Don't carry the burden alone

・Community General Support Centers
・Professionals
・People with similar experiences

It is important to consult with them early on.

👉 Saying "it's still too early" is actually dangerous.

■ A perspective that also applies to sign language interpreting and interpersonal support

This theme is actually deeply related to sign language interpreting and teaching as well.

This is because,

👉 "How to perceive invisible changes"

is a point they have in common.

・Unspoken discomfort
・Changes in facial expressions and behavior
・Subtle nuances

The ability to read these is,

👉 truly the essence of an interpreter.

■ Summary: "I'm still okay" is the most dangerous thing

"What Happened to My Father Before He Needed Care" is,

not just a book about caregiving.

It is,

👉 a book that teaches you "how to face things when you notice a change."

It is one that teaches you this.

What many people fall into is,

👉 The mental paralysis of saying "I'm still okay"

is the problem.

However, what is truly important is

👉 "This very moment" when you notice small changes

is what matters.

■ Conclusion (Action Proposal)

If you feel even a little bit that

"something is different,"

please pick up this book first.

👉 The unease within you will be put into words.
👉 And you will see your next step.

Before "that time" comes.

Why not start what you can do now?

■ Hashtags

#PreCaregiving #ParentalChanges #CaregivingWorries #JaneSu #FamilyIssues #SeniorLife #Awareness #SecondHalfOfLife #SignLanguageInterpretation #InterpersonalSupport