Basics with Barbara is a monthly series where hospice pioneer Barbara Karnes, RN shares her extensive knowledge and experience on end-of-life with End of Life Doulas, Karen Midlo and Christine Soza. Barbara is an award-winning end-of-life educator and hospice nurse. She offers compassionate end‑of‑life education designed to guide families and professionals through the final stages of life.
In this episode of "Basics with Barbara" we discuss "Caring for the Caregivers" and how all of the family caregivers across the country are truly the unsung heroes.
Resources for this episode include:
By Your Side, A Guide for Caring for the Dying at Home
Barbara Karnes , RN
Karen Midlo
Christine Soza
1 comment
Denice
Thank you for saying that the family caregiver is invisible. I remember when I called EMS to take my husband to the hospital due to him having symptoms of a stroke and it was in the last 40 days of his life. I got a call from his daughter asking, ‘Why are you having go to the hospital?" I had just been through an ordeal of being awaking nightly by him for various needs and was averaging about 3 hours of sleep a day. She (daughter lives in St. Louis) and did not realize the issues that I was dealing with in taking care of my husband. Since none of the family lives nearby. The closest is 4 hours away. Thank you for stating that family/spousal caregiving is often invisible to other family members.
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BK Books replied:
Hi Denice, I know it is really sad that the one who does the most work gets the least recognition, let alone thank you’s. Blessings! Barbara
Thank you for saying that the family caregiver is invisible. I remember when I called EMS to take my husband to the hospital due to him having symptoms of a stroke and it was in the last 40 days of his life. I got a call from his daughter asking, ‘Why are you having go to the hospital?" I had just been through an ordeal of being awaking nightly by him for various needs and was averaging about 3 hours of sleep a day. She (daughter lives in St. Louis) and did not realize the issues that I was dealing with in taking care of my husband. Since none of the family lives nearby. The closest is 4 hours away. Thank you for stating that family/spousal caregiving is often invisible to other family members.
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BK Books replied:
Hi Denice, I know it is really sad that the one who does the most work gets the least recognition, let alone thank you’s. Blessings! Barbara