When Does Caregiving Start?
For most of us, caregiving begins unexpectedly. Perhaps it's that phone call from your brother who asks you to stop in a see Mom. "Somethings just not right" and your whole world changes overnight. Others might see a gradual shifting in capabilities and be making the changes required in a more gradual manner. Whatever the speed, caregiving comes when need arises.
Evaluating your loved one is a crucial factor in determining when and at what level caregiving begins. Physical issues are pretty clear. If Dad is having trouble walking, he obviously needs some help. But the cognitive issues are much harder to identify and distinguish between normal aging and more serious forms of cognitive deterioration.
Caregiving sometimes begins gradually and increases as needed and as conditions change. But sometimes, caregiving arrives in full force and requires full-time, hands on work. And many are quite unprepared for this role.