Interview With A Caregiver (Blog Post #2)

October 26, 2019 Interview With A Caregiver (Blog Post #2)

The Public Interest Project had the opportunity to discuss caregiving with a former caregiver, Maria E. Echevarria, as she was kind enough to share her story with us and offer insight on her experiences as a caregiver.  For 3 ½ years, Maria provided caregiver services to her dear friend, William, who unfortunately passed away a few years ago.  Maria expressed her dedication to making sure she provided her dear friend with the assistance he needed during that difficult time.  Her message can speak directly to other caregivers who need support and/or guidance at the moment while caring for their loved ones.

Who were you caring for? I was caring for my dear friend and neighbor, William M.

Is your family member (or friend) still with us? No.  Unfortunately, William passed away in 2015 after a long-fought battle.

Can you share with us what was a typical day as a caregiver like? I would call him during the day to check up on him and ask him if he already ate.  I wanted to make sure he never went hungry.  After work I would bring him dinner, wash his clothes weekly, and run whatever errands I had to at the store for him. 

Were there any life messages William left with you during his last days that you carry with you till this day?  Would you feel comfortable sharing those messages with the readers?  Willie, as I called him, was a brave and loyal man who lived life to the fullest even during his last days.  He taught me the true definition of bravery.

What are some suggestion you would offer to other caregivers? I think it’s important for caregivers to know that it’s okay to ask for help from other sources to care for your loved one.

What’s the greatest lesson you learned as a caregiver? When I look back on my time as a caregiver, the greatest lesson I learned was never take time for granted.  Cherish every moment with the people you love.

How difficult was it to manage work and other responsibilities while caregiving? I can’t begin to explain how difficult and stressful it was to manage so many things at once.  It was difficult!

Do you think you could’ve benefited from more caregiving support services or programs? Absolutely! It’s important to have the support of others during these tough times.

Do you recommend for families to complete advance planning documents (Will, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy) to avoid any dilemmas in the hospital and/or financial institutions in regards of representation? I highly recommend it!  I think if you complete these documents in advance, it gives the caregiver a sense of peace.  It allows the caregiver to solely focus on taking care of their loved one, instead of worrying about other distractions.

What kind of activities did you practice to avoid burnout and encourage mental health and spiritual wellness as a caregiver? For me and Willie, we shared Catholicism, prayer and our faith in God.  Attending mass helped.  I was able to get the priest to visit him at home, that brought a lot of peace to him.

What message would you leave caregivers with today?  The main message I would share with those caregivers out there today is to ask questions.  Ask questions over and over again, and try to reach out to Social Workers or other health care professionals to get as much assistance with resources to help your loved one.

jjh