Staying With It!
Dear Caregivers,
I’m a huge tennis fan, and love this time of year with the venerable tournament underway at Wimbledon. It’s amazing to watch these young men and women at the height of their athletic prowess.
Still more amazing is how they stay with it, day after day, winning or losing. And it makes me recall a recent commencement speech given by tennis great Roger Federer, who won Wimbledon a record eight times on his way to garnering 20 Grand Slam titles.
Federer, who won 80 percent of his matches during his career, asked the crowd: “What percentage of points do you think I won in those matches?” He paused and answered, “Only 54 percent.”
Federer’s answer shocked me: Here’s someone who was one of the greats in his field, and he lost almost half the points he played!
Caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s are not playing a game, of course, but this lesson from the court is very apt: Each day you are going to have some wins, and you are going to have some losses. And your success will be measured by how well you can stay with it and continue your very strenuous, sometimes very frustrating, but in the end very rewarding journey of caregiving.
“When you lose every second point, on average, you learn not to dwell on every shot,” Federer told the crowd. “This mindset is really crucial, because it frees you to fully commit to the next point with intensity, clarity and focus.”
Here are some more resources on staying resilient in your caregiving:
Setting Boundaries as a Caregiver:
As a caregiver, it is essential that you remain committed to your personal boundaries, making sure that you give yourself time and space to address your personal needs for rest, relaxation, and fulfillment. This foundation for positive self-care is vital in improving your well-being. Here’s how to do it.
The Importance of Tears:
It is especially important not to suppress our feelings. The caregiving journey can be filled with sadness, frustration, and grief. Shedding tears is a natural and healthy response to those emotions. Tears benefit people in numerous ways, including helping to detoxify the body. Find out more about the importance of tears.
Finding the Joy as a Family Caregiver:
The challenge that family caregivers face is to learn acceptance, to live in the present moment, and to let go of things you cannot control. This is a challenge to be sure, but if there can be any joy in caregiving, this is where it is.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Strength does not come from winning. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger
