Remember when people used to go to the hospital to be sick? Seems like ancient history! These days people with conditions that once warranted weeks in the hospital are being treated and sent home within hours! Some are being admitted and discharged on the same day!
There may be good reasons for that, but it often feels like the burden and responsibility of care has shifted to family members who find themselves— literally overnight— in the roles of nurse, wound-care specialist, medication schedule supervisor, meal service provider, physical therapist, exercise physiologist, psychologist and spiritual director, all at once. They don’t feel equipped! They aren’t prepared! Their lives were already full with other responsibilities!
The result is that often those caregivers become patients themselves. Their bodies cry “foul!” Their brains cry “uncle!” When the patient has a cognitive problem, statistics say caregivers can wind up with debilitating or life-threatening conditions of their own!
That’s why for the fourth year in a row, we are inviting the caregivers we know to a day of rest. At the Caregiver Respite Luncheon, we invite the caregivers we know to the Terrace Level of the AYMC where they find multi-sensory expressions of love and support: chair messages, relaxing stretch-and-breathe exercises, art supplies and games, the mood-lifting affection of therapy dogs, a meditative labyrinth walk, veteran caregivers with whom to share and learn, and a delicious meal they don’t have to cook or clean up after.
For all that to happen, we need a guest list! Please send me the names of anyone you know who has slipped— maybe even without realizing it— into the caregiving role and needs a break. Let’s make sure they get the message from their church: we see you, we care, and we want to help!
Call the church office or send it to my email, kyle.matthews@firstbaptistgreenville.com
—Kyle Matthews, Minister of Pastoral Care