The art of Caregiving by BRENNAN KRAUT

Hope has two beautiful daughters Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are. Augustine of Hippo

CAREGIVING DEFINED Caregiving is usually not optional, rarely does someone volunteer for such a job with enthusiasm and ambition. The sacrifices made by the caregiver often take significant resources (emotional, physical, financial and time) and frequently with little to no appreciation. A caregiver does not exploit the care receiver. A caregiver is defined not by the hours spent caring but by the act of giving care. A caregiver is not defined by the size of their contribution nor the proximity to the care receiver.

CAREGIVING DEFINED The role of a caregiver, just like the diagnosis that impacts the care receiver, is not based upon age, income, race, religion, creed or any other demographic. The personal nature, unique situation and history of the caregiving relationship means that no two caregivers are alike (notwithstanding the fact that there are 43,500,000 Caregivers in the U.S) The term Caregiver (giver of care) describes the act of doing, not how a caregiver feels. In other words, the way that a caregiver wants to see themselves may not match with the caregiver’s emotions of resentment, anger, guilt, fatigue and frustration. These emotions are perfectly normal.

CAREGIVING DEFINED The progression of the care receiver’s condition may increase feelings of loss often resulting in the caregiver bearing the focus of the care receiver’s anger, frustration, agitation and rage Mortality rates are higher in the Caregiver population then in non-Caregivers

CAREGIVING DEFINED The caregiver is often forced by circumstance into the service of the care receiver. This person (the caregiver) is devoted and self- sacrificing, and does as much as possible with the limited resources available, this is frequently to the caregiver’s detriment. The caregiver’s existence revolves around the care receiver despite distance, responsibilities to others and their own difficult circumstances; creating an inevitable imbalance in the caregiver’s life. This leads to the possible loss of the caregiver’s identity with intense feelings of guilt, frustration, fatigue, resentment and loss. These natural feelings foster more guilt, and the cycle continues, especially if the caregiver witness’s great loss in the care receiver. This usually plays out with modest appreciation and the caregiver is frequently left feeling embattled.

CAREGIVING DEFINED This definition tells the story of a soldier who fights for a noble cause. Please substitute the word caregiver for soldier and the word care receiver for cause The soldier is often forced by circumstance into the service of the cause This person soldier is devoted and self-sacrificing, and does as much as possible with the limited resources available, this is frequently to the soldier’s detriment. The soldier’s existence revolves around the cause despite distance, responsibilities to others and their own difficult circumstances; creating an inevitable imbalance in the soldier’s life. This leads to the possible loss of the soldier’s identity with intense feelings of guilt, frustration, fatigue, resentment and loss. These natural feelings foster more guilt, and the cycle continues, especially if the soldier witness’s great loss in the cause. This usually plays out with modest appreciation and the soldier is frequently left feeling embattled.

CAREGIVING DEFINED This definition also tells the story of betterment, a prophet’s experience to fight for salvation. Please substitute the word caregiver for prophet and the word care receiver for the vulnerable and fragile. The prophet is often forced by circumstance into the service of the vulnerable and fragile. This person prophet is devoted and self-sacrificing, and does as much as possible with the limited resources available, this is frequently to the prophet’s detriment. The prophet’s existence revolves around the vulnerable and fragile despite distance, responsibilities to others and their own difficult circumstances; creating an inevitable imbalance in the prophet’s life. This leads to the possible loss of the prophet’s identity with intense feelings of guilt, frustration, fatigue, resentment and loss. These natural feelings foster more guilt, and the cycle continues, especially if the prophet witness’s great loss in the vulnerable and fragile. This usually plays out with modest appreciation and the prophet is frequently left feeling embattled.

“You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” ― George Bernard Shaw, Back to Methuselah

THE ART OF CAREGIVING

THE STORY BEHIND THE PAINTING: THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON THE ART OF CAREGIVING THE STORY BEHIND THE PAINTING: THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON Luke 15:11-21:22

THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON Mother Giver of Care (Caregiver) Receiver of Care (Care Receiver) -Prodigal Son- Servant Wealthy Merchant/ Tax Collector son THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON

THE PORTRAITS OF THE CAREGIVER’S JOURNEY The following three paintings show the rigors of caregiving

Masterpieces of Rembrandt van Rijn: An allegory for Caregiving The return of the prodigal son C. 1666 Portrait of an old man in red 1652 - 1654 King Uzziah stricken with leprosy 1639 Image of an old man sleeping 1629

THE PICTURE OF AN ANXIOUS CAREGIVER THE ART OF CAREGIVING THE PICTURE OF AN ANXIOUS CAREGIVER

THE PICTURE OF A DISINTEGRATING CAREGIVER THE ART OF CAREGIVING THE PICTURE OF A DISINTEGRATING CAREGIVER

THE PICTURE OF ABSOLUTE EXHAUSTION THE ART OF CAREGIVING THE PICTURE OF ABSOLUTE EXHAUSTION

ROLE REVERSAL OF PERSON THE ART OF CAREGIVING ROLE REVERSAL OF PERSON

THE ART OF CAREGIVING ROLE REVERSAL OF PLACE

THE ART OF CAREGIVING ROLE REVERSAL OF TIME

Masterpieces of Rembrandt van Rijn: An allegory for Caregiving The return of the prodigal son C. 1666 Portrait of an old man in red 1652 - 1654 King Uzziah stricken with leprosy 1639 Image of an old man sleeping 1629

THE PORTRAITS OF THE CAREGIVER RESILIENCY

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