Caregiving Seasons

While writing my last post, it occurred to me to compare the caregiving journey to seasons. The time in each season isn't predictive like our meteorological seasons (thank you to my favorite TV weatherman for this fancy word!). We may not follow the seasons exactly the way we'd experience Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall in real life. However, there is something so parallel between them that it's impossible to deny.

Winter: Cold, snowy, bundled up.

Caregiving in the beginning is very much like this. You and your person are navigating the beginning. The hurdles. Expected or not, the early days or those unexpected hiccups in the journey feel like winter. Bundle up, aka bring all your notes, ask lots of questions, prepare for anything. This is no different than preparing your car for travel in a snowstorm.

Spring: Budding flowers, warmer weather, rainy, lighter clothing

In caregiving, this is the season of hope. You're setting up new routines. You understand what's needed. This may just be the basics, but it's still early. You have an idea of what you need to do, learning what resources you have and you are still learning. You don't necessarily know how long you'll be in the season - and it may be the hardest - but youve made it through the worst.

Summer: Wonderful weather, shedding of heavy clothes, fun, hot

Summer is the coasting season. You're into the routines. You're able to venture out and do something fun together beyond the doctor's appointments. For the most part, your person is stable. Yes, you'll have drips in your day like an ice cream cone on a hot day. You may even have a hurricane day. But it's temporary and you're still able to recognize that.

Fall: Colder, leaves are changing color and falling to the ground

All seasons are hard, but this may be difficult to face. This may be nearing the end of the caregiving journey. Whether this is due to recovery or the passing of your person. You think recovery is the goal, why would it be difficult? Well, no matter the outcome, you've owned this role. 6 weeks to make a habit, right? And suddenly, you're not needed. That identity you've taken on for weeks, months, years.... is gone. We want to celebrate our person getting better or being in a better place. But grief is a powerful emotion. No matter what your journey and your person's outcome, YOU are different. How could you not?

So if you hear me talk about Caregiving Winter or any other season, this is what I'm talking about. Perfect, no. Linear, also no. But the parallels are just too obvious. Heck, I know I'll look at the seasons a little differently now!!