Page 24 - SENIORS ROCK MAGAZINE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE It take supernatural strength. It when the baby takes a bath. But with the
AS A CAREGIVER cannot be done in the energy of the caregiver of the Alzheimer's
flesh. It takes more than gritting
One of the highest forms of service in one's teeth and hanging on. The patient, there is rarely a smile, only the
our social obligations to mankind is caregiver's source is God himself who blank look of mental depression and
the caregiver. "gives power to the faint and to them despair. The lights are on, but nobody's
that have no might, He increaseth home.
What is a caregiver? It's one who strength." The caregiver can rest
ministers to a person who cannot look assured that the Lord Jesus is pleased And yet there is the tenderness of a
after him- or herself. It is a person with his or her service to one of his dependent person, the moments when
who selflessly helps those who cannot own creation. he knows he is not thinking and acting
function because of disabilities. It may right. During these moments, he feels the
be one who looks after a person with One of the most difficult tasks in life embarrassment of being confused and
a stroke, a loved one with terminal is being a caregiver for a loved one helpless.
cancer or a mate with Alzheimer's. with Alzheimer's. It may be a husband
who daily takes care of his wife, or a There also are times of selflessness when
It takes humility. There is nothing wife who looks after her husband. It she gives you a piece of custard pie that
that would attract our old Adamic may be a daughter looking after her she enjoys, but she wants you to have
nature to this type of service. No one father or a son caring for his mother it. And there is the tenderness of being
is recommending the caregiver for a or father. tucked into bed like a little child — and
special award. The caregiver will not loving it.
likely be named "Woman of the Year" It is so draining, so heartrending
by a national magazine. The faithful to see a loved one's personality Caregivers are very special people who
caregiver will not likely be featured on robbed — see dignity stolen — by need our prayers — and especially our
"Making a Difference" on the evening this debilitating disease. Once the help. If you know someone who is going
news. He or she is quietly going about person was the one you leaned upon, through this kind of ordeal, give them a
the duties of a nurse, a servant and an looked to for guidance and strength. break by volunteering to help them. You
encourages — all in one person. You admired his hard work and will be remembered by the caregiver and
independence. You loved to hear her blessed by the Lord.
Caregiving is not for the person who laugh and be with her. But neither of
must see something accomplished them are the person you used to know. By Pastor Guy Templeton
immediately. Goal-oriented
individuals need not apply. It is And this does something to the
sometimes a long-term task with caregiver. You often hear the joyous
little observable progress. It takes first words of a baby and the laughter
perseverance; it takes tenacity and
steadfastness. It is not for the frivolous
or faint-hearted.

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senior’s rock magazine