I cared for my parents for six years and my mother-in-law for another four. Now I’m caring for a relative with Alzheimer’s. As a former intensive care nurse, I guess caregiving is in my blood.

But I never thought I would be the one being cared for.

After fracturing both bones in my lower leg followed by surgery, I was not allowed to put any weight on that foot for six weeks. Swelling and muscle spasms were intense, and I could barely use a walker to hop to the bathroom for much of that time. My husband did everything—cooking, cleaning, washing, changing linens, and even helping me bathe. He attended to my every need. I couldn’t have had a better caregiver.

The experience gave me a renewed appreciation for caregivers and offered me insights from the other side of the coin. I hope these tips will help in your caregiving and boost even more compassion for the loved one with limited mobility.

Everything within reach

I couldn’t just jump up and go get a drink of water or a tissue, so my husband left things I might need within reach: my walker and cell phone (of course). But he also set up a TV tray at the end of the couch so I could have easy access to tissues, hand sanitizer and hand wipes, my medications (except pain med—we left that in the bathroom while I was fuzzy headed with narcotics and muscle relaxers), water, reading glasses, etc. Beside me on the couch, he left the TV remote controls, my Bible and other books, pillows to prop my foot, and a blanket for cool mornings. It wasn’t pretty, but it was practical.

My hubby still had much to do, but I was glad not to have to call on him each time I needed one of these items.

Thoughtful people

When we came home from the hospital, my husband and I were debating how I would get up even two stairs into our house. My son settled the debate by picking me up and carrying me in. Wow!

Friends, family, and church family loaded us up with food, which took a load off my husband for the first couple of weeks. A friend who didn’t learn about my accident until weeks later dropped off flowers to brighten my day.

Our 50^th anniversary landed right in the middle of my “down” time, so our children arranged a short trip where we could all be together without it being too overwhelming for us. What a blessing! I was reminded on the travel how much I appreciate people who hold the door for those on walkers or in wheelchairs. They are solid gold.

Accommodating businesses

One thing I never questioned until I had to hop on one foot wherever I went is: Why is the handicap stall the farthest from the door? On our trip, we found one Love’s Truck Stop in Corinth, MS, where the handicap stall was the first in the door. But the Love’s personnel also went a step further. They saw our plight (a caregiver of the opposite sex) and offered to let us use one of the shower rooms so my husband could wheel me all the way in with the wheelchair and be there to help me.

These were things I gave little thought to until I was in the position of needing them. But oh, how I appreciated the consideration of others!

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV

Tracy Crump dispenses hope in her award-winning book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness. A former intensive care nurse, she cared for her parents and her mother-in-law and understands both the burdens and joys of caregiving. Her devotions have been featured in Guideposts books, The Upper Room, and many other publications, and she has contributed 28 stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul® books. She also conducts writing workshops, produces a newsletter for writers, and does freelance editing. But her most important job is Grandma to five completely unspoiled grandchildren.