Caretakers: Role Reversal

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

22 Dec 2006 11:06 AM

Serving as a caretaker is a difficult and often unrewarding task. But have you ever tried to put yourself in the shoes of the person you are taking care of? I haven't.

For the last two years, I have been living with my grandmother and serving as one of her primary caretakers. Since I was about eight years old, she has been living with Type 2 diabetes. Within the last few years, she's had to start taking insulin injections to help manage her blood sugar levels. The last few years have also seen a mental decline. My grandmother has changed from an independent, sassy, witty, feisty woman to a needy, dependent, forgetful person. Her personality flip-flops between childlike and combative. When she's in a good mood, she sings little songs. When she's in a bad mood, she berates me and my mother, her other caretaker.

Not once in that time have I tried to put myself in her shoes. It just never occurred to me.

Could I give up sugar? Not for the short term, but for the rest of my life? I suppose I could if I had to... but I can also see myself cheating on my diet a LOT more than my grandmother has.

Could I remember to take my medicine several times a day? I already take antidepressants on a daily basis. The trick for me is getting into the routine. I could probably manage to take medicine with meals, though I'm not always good at eating meals at the same time every day.

Could I stick my fingers several times a day to get my blood sugar levels? Could I give myself an insulin injection? The injections might be the line I couldn't pass. I remember nearly throwing up the first time I gave my grandmother a shot; I don't know if I could do it to myself.

After twenty years of all that... I might be pretty tired of being good. I might be reluctant to keep up with the blood sugar testing and the doctor visits.

Diabetes: Type One vs. Type Two

Read more about caring for an ill family member.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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