Everyone acts as a caregiver at some point in their lives.
Whether it’s for a parent, an older friend, an uncle, aunt, or client- you’re sure to be a caregiver at one time or another.
And, when that happens, we want you to be prepared.
The need to be a caregiver can sometimes hit you out of the blue.
To help you better ready yourself, we’ve gathered advice offered from 3 top celebrities.
Because, yes, even celebrities become caregivers.
Queen Latifah
In an interview with AARP, Queen Latifah explained that when it came to caregiving, a big challenge for her was knowing when to say no.
“I had to be strong. People love you, and they come in the house with cakes and cookies. I had to be the bad guy.”
What we can learn: When it comes to the health and welfare of our seniors, it’s important to know what is and what is not good for them. Learn as much as you can about your senior’s ailments. Understand what foods and activities might help make them stronger and healthier, and what will make them worse.
When it comes to the kindness of others, sometimes you might have to politely decline for the best interest of your loved one.
Seth Rogan
While Queen Latifah learned what to say, Seth Rogan learned to say anything at all.
When talking with InStyle magazine, Rogan revealed, “There’s a lot of shame associated with having Alzheimer’s. Some people don’t want anyone to know. But it’s good to acknowledge it.”
What we can learn: Don’t be afraid to talk with others about what you’re going through. Be open and honest. Because, truthful communication is the only way we can lend support to one another when times are tough. You don’t need to be a caregiver alone, when there are countless others going through the same thing.
And, with a little luck, by talking and sharing your experiences, you may be able to help others as they help you.
Patrick Dempsey
On a similar vein, Patrick Dempsey encourages caregivers to share their stories- not just for themselves, but for their friends and family.
When speaking at a People v. Cancer conference in New York, Dempsey said, “You want to know about your mom, and your kids want to know about your journey and your childhood.”
What we can learn: Share your story before it’s too late. Your family and friends want to know what’s going on with you. They care about you. And so, it’s important to them to be aware of any situation you are going through. So that they can be there to help you on the drop of a hat.
But even more than that, your family and friends want to be a part of your incredible caregiving journey. Because, every caregiver has a journey worth sharing.
And mark our words- caregiving is beautiful, selfless work that deserves tons of acknowledgment and reward.
