Welcome to episode 11 of Caregiver Diaries!
 
We bring to you the journey of an invisible warrior, a caregiver to her father-in-law, who is in the last stage of Alzheimer’s. She shares her experience along with her husband, as they watch a strong, intelligent, independent man, with an active lifestyle who has retired from a high post, succumb to his illness. She talks about how this journey has made her realize that nothing in life is stable and she sees life as full of limitless opportunities of change. 

Although she’s experienced a range of emotions throughout this journey of being a caregiver, she has come to realize, what an important role family plays in these tough times. Her family stands by her, with her and has been her strength through this period of caregiving. 
She emphasizes on how important it is for caregivers to have a life of their own and how imperative it is to not cut off from other people and the world… “We hold each other’s hand as we individually wade our way through this painful pathway.” 
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If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi. All Rights Reserved

Welcome to episode 10 of Caregiver Diaries! 

 We bring to you the journey of an invisible warrior, a caregiver to her father, who suffers from not one illness, but three. Her father is her best friend and confidante, he is a civil engineer and is well-versed in a wide range of areas. When her father was diagnosed with cerebral atrophy as a result of dementia and then diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two years later, she felt her world come crumbling down. Her father’s health took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis in the brain, this lockdown. 

"It's no secret that caregivers often put their own lives in the backseat to provide the best care for their loved ones... a caregiver hardly thinks of it as a burden.” 

When she had to move away for studies, it became difficult to deal with his illness and she felt a growing distance from her father. Despite these hurdles and illnesses thrown her way, what gives her hope, is waiting for a miracle.

 ~
 If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going.
 
 Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team.
 
 Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php
 
©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi. All Rights Reserved. 

Welcome to episode 9 of Caregiver Diaries! 

Having to step in to the roles of his parents at the supple age of 12, Sachin recounts the agony he and his younger brother went through as their once-dynamic mother struggled with the demon that is schizophrenia. He recounts how social stigma and the reluctance to accept the possibility of an illness this severe, led the family to take a long time before a medical diagnosis was made. Insensitivity from friends and relatives made matters worse. 

His journey taught the importance of self care and the need for psychological health of a caregiver. He further discusses how the second hit that the family took when his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s was dealt with in a much better way and instilled the family’s belief in the healing powers of counselling and me-time, for both the wellness of the caregiver as well as the care-receiver.

"We realized that asking for help is an act of survival and one may not feel guilty about it... with time we effectively cope with the challenges of caregiving "

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If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi . All Rights Reserved. 

Welcome to episode 8 of Caregiver Diaries! 

An invisible warrior's life turned upside down when she discovered her father was battling cancer. The diagnosis was delayed and that led to strong emotions of guilt and helplessness. She had a tough time accepting that her loving and brave father was now suffering from an illness. As a healthcare professional, she was determined to cure him, but the path seemed scary. It was also  difficult to balance work with caregiving responsibilities.

She talks about their bond, how they could not even think of separation. But as days passed, it was exhausting to meet with all the demands and goals. "Remorse and guilt still weigh heavy on my heart. Even in his last days, my father taught me that being a caregiver is not about just giving care. It is about caring, loving and being there."

~ 
If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi . All Rights Reserved. 

Welcome to episode 6 of Caregiver Diaries! 

Our invisible warrior has worked as a qualified psychologist at a Healthcare NGO for the last 15 years. She reflects back on her childhood and shares her journey of being abandoned by her parents, only to grow up under the love and care of her grandmother and aunt.
Her first experience as a caregiver was to her grandmother, who passed away six years ago. She is now a primary caregiver to her aunt as well as to her father. She opens up about feeling lost and frustrated at times, when she can’t do things for herself... “Everyday it’s just house work, office work, back home, looking after the home again and again. I was beginning to forget who I was and what I wanted and I just wanted a break..."
She also shares with us her emotions of taking care of her father, who she never knew while growing up and with whom she does not share a relationship with.

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If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi . All Rights Reserved. 

Welcome to episode 7 of Caregiver Diaries! 

In the 7th episode, we bring to you the story of an invisible warrior who is a primary caregiver to her mother-in-law. Much like a large percentage of women in India, she too has the responsibility of managing the household chores and taking care of her two daughters. She tells us that her husband, Ravi, has a job in sales. He travels a lot and he is only home on the weekends. She doesn't want to bother him with the stress of the house when he comes home. Ravi's sister lives in Boston, and his mother was staying alone and so he asked her to move in with them. She mentions that his mother never liked her much, she was insistent that Ravi married someone within the same caste but Ravi and she were in love and their parents had to agree. She reminisces about her college days, her aspirations and her desire to run her own home - based business, but the challenges of caregiving and the responsibilities of taking care of the house make it difficult for her to take out time to pursue the same. 

"I keep thinking of all my dreams, my ambitions, on some days...on many days. I wish there was someone who would listen to me, understand me and comfort me.." 

~ 
If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi . All Rights Reserved. 

Welcome to episode 1 of Caregiver Diaries! 

We bring to you the journey of an invisible warrior, a caregiver to his father, who suffered from dementia. His father was intellectually active, a part of key government committees and even published a book. However, late into his retirement, he suddenly required full -time care. Hear  about the ups and downs of his caregiving journey which lasted 7 years. 
From changing jobs to remain in the same city as his father and ensuring someone was always home to look after him, his father’s well -being took precedence over everything else... "None of it seemed like a sacrifice to us, because we loved our father dearly, and nothing was more important than being with him in his hour of need."

~ 
If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi . All Rights Reserved. 

Welcome to episode 5 of Caregiver Diaries! 

Lavanya's caregiving journey started with an immense love for animals. She believes that caregiving comes from the desire of wanting to help people or animals without any qualms. She describes her journey as a foster parent to several cats and speaks up about the importance of having a strong social support system. She emphasises on the fact that whether an individual is a caregiver to a child, adult or animal, taking care of one's own well - being should be of utmost priority.. "In caregiving, it is important to be able to give yourself wholly to the one you are taking care of and your own health reflects the kind of care you deliver to your loved one". 
She talks about her dog, Buddy, who she describes as her biggest success in her caregiving journey. Her greatest pleasure has been to see Buddy flourish into a friendly dog and to watch him overcome his anxiety. In fact, Lavanya's favorite form of self - care is spending time with her foster pets! 

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If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi . All Rights Reserved. 

Welcome to episode 3 of Caregiver Diaries! 

Dementia… A syndrome which causes a gradual deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to carry out everyday activities. Worldwide, around 50 million people are affected by the disease, making it one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people. 
Our third episode brings to you the story of an invisible warrior who was a primary caregiver to his father, who suffered from Dementia. He shares with us the challenges that came with each stage of the disease and affected not just his father, but also those who were caring for him. Overtime, his father began showing symptoms of depression and started behaving in an overly aggressive manner. He stopped sleeping despite being prescribed strong sleeping pills. Such changes, led to his hospitalization.  
He reflects back on his journey of caregiving and opens up about how caregiving also comes with feelings of frustration and helplessness. 

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If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi . All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to episode 2 of Caregiver Diaries! 

We often associate an adult with taking on the responsibility of caregiving... In our second episode, we bring to you the story of an invisible warrior who started her caregiving journey at the young age of 10. Growing up, she was closest to her grandmother. After the death of her father, her grandmother took to bed. Between ensuring she went to school and taking care of her grandmother full - time, she became her primary caregiver for 4 years. 
This was not the end of her caregiving journey.. Living in a joint family made her responsible for caring for her uncle and aunt who also took to bed with terminal diseases. A few years following that, her mother suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest and needed full time care till her recovery. 
Our invisible warrior shares with us the impacts of early caregiving on her adult life. She talks about the constant dilemma between taking care of her family and taking time out for herself.

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If you can identify with this story, please share it with others who care for someone and help them share too. The feeling of being understood, not being alone and access to support is what keeps caregivers going. 

Sharing your story helps understand yourself — feelings, passions, hopes. It lightens the load and offers relief from loneliness, anxiety, anger or guilt. Our experiences and hopes can benefit others - to know that the challenges are the same, learn new ways to cope and care… they aren’t alone but part of a team. 

Spread the love and share your caregiver stories at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/share-your-story.html

For more information on our initiatives and to understand our support please visit our website https://caregiversaathi.co.in/

If caregiver support resonates with you then please donate to our cause at https://caregiversaathi.co.in/donate-funds-form.php

©️ 2019 Caregiver Saathi . All Rights Reserved.