From the desk of Rosemary Laird, MD
Founder of Navigating Aging Needs (NAN), LLC
Celebrate Juneteenth!
This week we celebrate Juneteenth, one of the oldest international commemorations of the ending of slavery, and the newest Federal Holiday. The celebration of the holiday “is a story of pride, resilience and determination that will always be of historical and spiritual importance – as it serves us well to understand that together, we can overcome all obstacles in our path.” Certainly overcoming obstacles is a core part of being a caregiver. I hope you can take a moment on this holiday to reflect on your critical role in the wellbeing of your loved one, family, and community.
Finding the Joy
In my many years of working with caregivers, I have seen first-hand how agonizing your day-to-day struggles can sometimes be. You may at times feel overwhelmed, overcome with stress, or experience a profound sense of grief for all that is lost to this disease. So my words of advice today may seem counter-intuitive: Find time to seek out joy. As challenging as our lives may be at times, being a caregiver for your loved one can give a life purpose, meaning — and even joy.