Do Not Carry a Burden You Cannot Bear

Caregiving Memoir (1) A Little Diary Vol. 32

I have finally decided to start this.
I hope this will be of some small help to those who are about to be in a position to provide care for their family.
I will say this in advance: this is not exactly what you would call "advice."
I am just sharing from my own experience.

My experience of seeing my parents through to the end,
my current experience of assisting my siblings,
and my current experience of receiving care myself.

I hope to convey something from these experiences.
Therefore,the situation may be different if your environment or region is different.I am prepared for criticism that
I am just fortunate.I also understand the limitations and inadequacies of the system.
Please also forgive me if my writing style comes across as somewhat condescending.
I decided that it was more important to post this than to keep worrying over a draft forever.

So, the first thing I want to say this time.

🔸Please do not carry a burden you cannot bear.🔸

The words in the title were borrowed from a verse byChie Umiat theMinna no Haiku Taikaihaiku competition,
I do not carry the burden I cannot bear, moonlight on the lake.
The details would take too long, and since everyone's circumstances are different, these may sound like cliché words, but

at any rate, please do not try to shoulder everything by yourself.

It doesn't matter if it's other family members, professionals, or close friends.
Daily tasks are important, but
finding someone you can consult with is your most important job.

In my case, the care manager who looked after my parents was very supportive, but
that is not always the case, is it?
The local government office might not be reliable either.
Some larger hospitals have regional medical departments.
First of all, it is important to properly explain your situation (including financial aspects) to those around you and those involved whenever possible andlet them know.Also, I think it is important to tell your neighbors, "This is how things are at our house."
However,

do not expect too much for them to do anything for you.Just by venting, your mind may find some rest, and I think that alone is enough.

🔸Please make sure to have a few hours of your own time every day.🔸

You must have your own hobbies.
There must be TV shows you want to watch and books you want to read.
You also need time to cool down your mind and body.
If circumstances allow, I think it's good to take your time at a local cafe or a supermarket eat-in area while you are out shopping.

I know there are many things you have to do and you cannot leave the spot,
but even if it is broken down into ten-minute intervals,


I believe "having your own time" is also your duty to yourself.If you break down, your family will break down too.You can think of it that way.
It is a simple phrase, but it is also important to slack off in a "good way."

🔸Please visit a psychosomatic medicine clinic.🔸

This is a detailed point, but I think it is important, so I will mention it first.
Even if you think you are fine, your mind is under stress.
I think it is fine if the goal is simply to ensure sleep time.
If you cannot find a psychosomatic medicine clinic,
please try consulting with the hospital your family or you are already visiting.
I think there are places where you can at least receive counseling.
If that is also difficult, you could even ask your regular doctor, perhaps an internist, to make time for you to vent after your examination.
(Even just 3 minutes is fine)
Anyway,

increasing opportunities to talk about various things.I think that is important.

First of all, please protect your own heart.That is everything.

That is everything.

I am sorry that this is all I can say for the first post.
I will talk about what I specifically did in the next post and beyond.
(I haven't organized it well yet)

I had been keeping records in a notebook for the future, but this person's article also inspired me to write this Note article.
I will talk about what I specifically did in the next post and beyond.

See you again.
I hope good things happen to everyone.

🔺
🔻

I will create a separate magazine for caregiving once I have written the next part.