A client once told me that life would be better if the last ten years were lived first and the first ten years were lived last.
Since that experience I feel challenged to provide some sort of delight to the clients we serve. One of the most satisfying ways to do this as a Care Manager is to relieve families and friends of some of their functional duties. This allows the caregiver time, energy and opportunity to provide some delightful experiences of their own. Supporting contentment, companionship and the occasional high is very gratifying to both the giver and receiver.
The moments don’t have to be very big, very long or even very often. Exhilarating and/or meaningful should be the goal. Families are often too exhausted to find energy for such pursuits. By handing over the controls at least for a while the caregiver can replenish themselves and “pay it forward”.
Some of the following experiences come to my mind. Enjoying a 90th birthday cruising along in a convertible, top down, complete with sunglasses and baseball hat. (Of course normal precautions need to be employed!) A visit to Pier 39 with a ride on the carousel. A drive through the wine country or over the Golden Gate Bridge. For some, the sheer pleasure of sand running through the toes is a wonderful time.
We create happiness when we feel alive and blessed ourselves. Sharing the burden is immeasurable in the rewards it reaps.