Rituals of Continuity.
Rituals of Continuity also extend to our personal lives. I remember taking my daughter to piano lessons every Friday at 5 pm.
During that half-hour lesson, my husband and I went to a local coffee shop to have tea. It became the ritual of continuity shifting our weekly work life into the weekend. It marked the transition.
When she was old enough to drive herself, we had to develop new rituals to connect and keep recent changes.
Those rituals of continuity extend to our caregiving lives.
Often caregivers will mourn the loss of specific patterns; going to lunch with a friend, going golfing, or to a gym.
Building those rituals into a caregiving schedule can help both the caregiver and their recipient. Both benefit by the sense of keeping the “cup” of the caregiver somewhat full of energy and vitality.
When we’re full, we have more to offer.
Likewise, what’s missing from the care recipient’s rituals?
What is important to them?
Are they still possible in some form or another?
When a care recipient retains their routines, it also helps maintain dignity, value, and interest in their personal life.
The caregiver may not be the person who can independently facilitate the experience but perhaps can find others for engagement. Engaging others for support also extends the concentric circles of caregiving.
What rituals would you or have you missed?
Are there ways to put them back into the mix?
How can we source those solutions?
It’s a win-win for everyone.
The caregiver is nurtured, replenished, and has more energy in their life. A care recipient can expand their world as well. The expansion increases joy and contentment while decreasing isolation and frustrations.
Caregiving can be a challenging time.
Grab my “Getting Your Docs In A Row” checklist to help you prepare to care.