So much about caregiving is serious business—the physical demands, the hits to your finances, the daily stress of even simple activities. Yet, laughter is often the best medicine, a small respite for your mind. And it is indeed OK to laugh, explains Cindy Laverty, a former caregiver and host of The Cindy Laverty Show:
“We go into caregiving with this big, dark cloud hanging over us because it’s so stressful,” she said. “When we go in with that attitude, it’s bound to stay that way. When we’re having a horrible day, we must remember that a good day is sure to follow. Even in the midst of those horrible days, there are funny moments that happen. Recognize and appreciate those moments.”
In the spirit of healing humor, enjoy some quotes, stories and images that show the funny side of caregiving for older adults.
“You know you are a caregiver when you start a 12-hour road trip and you stop after 1 mile for lunch and a potty break.”
Happy Healthy Caregiver
“Yesterday, I came home from work and Mom came out to the kitchen to greet me. I said, ‘Mom, you have on my sweatpants!’ We each have a pair of the same soft, comfy green sweats, but hers are a size 14 and mine are a few sizes bigger. She said, ‘I thought I had lost a lot of weight!’ Then she pulled up her shirt to show me that she had pinned the pants to her bra to keep them up! We had a good laugh!”
– Patti4Mom on AgingCare forum
“I was kneeling beside Mom’s bed last night when she was saying her bedtime prayer. This night she prayed, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the LORD my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray he takes me like an earthquake.’ Instead of …my soul to take. I said, ‘What?’ Mom laughed and said, ‘Well, I couldn’t remember the rest and … well, it rhymed!’ ~ Amen!”
SeniorsAtHome
Senior Citizen Texting Code:
ATD: At The Doctors
BFF: Best Friend Fell
BTW: Bring The Wheelchair
BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth
FWIW: Forgot Where I Was
GGPBL: Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA: Got Heartburn Again
IMHO: Is My Hearing Aid On
LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out
OMMR: On My Massage Recliner
OMSG: Oh My! Sorry, Gas
ROFLACGU: Rolling On Floor Laughing And Can’t Get Up
TTYL: Talk To You Louder
“My dad has a CNA come twice a week to assist him with bathing. I mentioned to him yesterday that he should get her something for Christmas. He told me to pick her up one of those things that you ‘rub and it grows.’ After a few questions, I discovered he meant a Chia Pet!”
– BonnieO on AgingCare forum
Caregiver Moment #12
Arguing for 30 minutes to get your loved one to wear matching socks… Then realizing you went out with your own shirt on backwards.