November is National Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and we asked Bruce Roosa to offer a few reflections. Bruce is currently a Legacy Advisory Board Member as well as a facilitator of the Caregiver Support Group.

My wife, Barb, and I were caregivers for two years for my mother, Tillie Roosa. My mom suffered dementia; she passed away at Pioneer Manor in December of 2012. We learned on the fly, and we made mistakes, but in the end we took comfort in having done the job well. If we knew then what we know now, the job would have been a lot easier.

Who are caregivers? We are servants to those we love, and ushers to a better place. Caregiving is transformational; it is as important to the caregiver as it is the care receiver. It teaches us the fragility that is life, and that each moment is precious. Caring for a parent can bring memories, a few regrets, and the knowledge that we shouldn’t waste even one moment on strife and anger. Care for another is hard work, but brings a reward that can’t be sought or captured anywhere else; it must be experienced.

During our experience we thought we were the only ones going through this. We’ve since learned that although everyone’s story is different, each includes similarities. So, in 2014 a support group began to organize, to share stories and help each other; it's is called the Caregiver Support Group. We have two facilitators, Janet Kobielusz, a fellow traveler on this path, and me. Our caregiver support group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. We are currently in the Ground Floor Conference Room at Campbell County Memorial Hopsital, just off the Cafeteria. Meeting time is from 6:30-8 pm, and the group is a drop-in setting. For more information, call or text Bruce Roosa at 307.689.6705, or call Janet at 307.660.7194.

I leave you with this: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” St. Francis of Assisi