I listened to a recent Oprah podcast episode with Emma Hemming Willis, actor Bruce Willis’s wife. Bruce was diagnosed with fronto temporal dementia (FTD) two years ago and Emma wrote a book about their journey and caregiving that just came out. One of things she mentioned during the podcast episode is that people often come to her and say, “If you need anything, let me know.” But that’s often not helpful—and nothing ever gets done.
She encouraged caregivers to create a list of specific things they need help with regularly and to share that list with their friends and family. While it’s not easy to ask for help, she wanted to help offer caregivers permission to ask for help AND for their friends and family to know how best to provide that help.
Let’s work together to create that resource—a prototype list of ways to help a caregiver in your life. Care partners could send this list verbatim to their friends and family or use it as inspiration and tailor it to their particular needs.
Here are a few suggestions for the list:
– Pick up medications at the pharmacy.
– Take my car to get gas; an oil change; etc.
– Go to the grocery store.
– Sit with me.
– Spend two hours with my partner so I can [do something to take care of me].
– Take my dog for a walk.
– Weed my garden.
– Take my kids to soccer practice.
But I’m most interested in what you would add. Tell us your answer at PMDA Care Partners Connect! The best tools are created when we work together.
