Collegian T he Cameron University
www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, March 4, 2024
Volume 110 Issue 5
Academic Festival XII Care and Health: A Generational Approach
FEATURING:
LEIGHANN LORD
Brittney Payette Managing Editor Cameron’s Academic Festival XII, “Care and Health: A Generational Approach,” continued at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Johnson Auditorium in Ross Hall with a special student session featuring stand-up comedian and author Leighann Lord. There was also a public session at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the University Theatre. Lord’s presentation was called “People with Parents: When the Roles Reverse.” Lord said she learned a lot from caring for her aging parents and the role reversal that occurred. “I realize that what we think of as our final years is very arrogant,” she said. “You have no idea how much time you’ll get. None whatsoever, and if you are not living and loving to the best of your ability, you are wasting time.” She said that people learn different
lessons from being a caregiver. “Time, health, and energy are finite resources that we really can’t afford to waste, no matter how old you are.” Lord also said that humor has played a vital role in getting through some of the difficult times in her life. “I really do believe that if you can find the humor,” she said, “you can find the life lessons. Everyone’s life lessons will be different. Watching my parents age and fade has been instructive.” Lord said that caregivers must use a lot of diplomacy and negotiation to try to help the older individual while still allowing them autonomy in their own lives. “This is new for them, too,” she said. “They’ve never been this age. They’ve never been this needy … there are a lot of things that they’re experiencing right now, and at least trying to do that dance with as much respect as possible. I wish it were easier.” Lord said that the number of people 85 plus is increasing and that there needs to be more help and more funding for the growing need that caregivers face when it comes to taking care of their loved ones. “It is honoring the aging life and family process,” she said. “It should be done, no questions asked. That’s the kind of level of help that we need.” Lord shared personal stories from her experiences caring for her elderly parents. She said that when her parent's lives changed, her life changed too when she began caring for her parents. “According to AARP, the majority of family caregivers are women,” she said. “Forty eight percent of them care for a parent, but they’re also caring for spouses and partners and friends and neighbors and grandparents and in-laws and siblings, and this list goes on. And it is not cheap.” She said that being a caregiver can be a very isolating experience, but there are things that people can do to help support someone who is a caregiver. “Offer to run errands,” she said. “If you’re close, walk the dog. Pick the kids up from school, send flowers for no reason, or remember their birthday.” She said she also appreciated it when people would send her an Uber Eats gift card or just listen to her vent.
“What folks really need,” Lord said, “is respite care. You need a break. You need to be able is a caregiver, they have to manage to get away for a day or a weekend. If not only the person(s) health that they you can offer that to someone, you are are giving care to but also their own giving them a great deal. That’s on the health. high end. On the low end, listening. Lord’s dad passed away in 2019, If you can listen and lend an ear, a and her mom passed away in 2021. nonjudgemental ear, you have no idea “In the end, there was no hug that the good you are doing.” wasn’t given,” she said. “No argument Lord said that getting assistance that wasn’t from others is crucial for had, and no ‘I caregivers. love you’ left “Time, health, “Not only do you have unsaid.” to ask for help,” she said, and energy are finite Lord said “but you have to learn that once she resources that we how to accept it. That’s stopped being really can’t afford to hard for some of us, a caregiver especially my fellow type waste, no matter after both of A’s who are comfortable her parents how old you are.” doing everything, she - Leighann Lord passed, everywhere, all at once. learned she Comedian and Author needed time That is the fastest way to caregiver burnout, or so to recover I’ve found.” from that job. She said that something “You need she learned that she wants current to grieve what was,” she said. “And caregivers or future caregivers to who you were. ‘Cause you were a know is that they are going to need different person before this and during help. this … honor what you have done, and “This is not a job anyone should be take the time to rebuild yourself and doing by themselves,” Lord said. “It’s your life.” too hard.” Lord said that daily meditation, She also said that although it may joining a Facebook support group be difficult, self-care has to be a for caregivers, spending time with priority. friends, and therapy helped her cope “In order to take care of anyone with some of the difficulties that else,” she said, “I first had to take care resulted from being a caregiver. of me. Because if I fell by the wayside, For more information about Lord, they had nothing.” visit her website at http://www. Lord said that self-care can be veryfunnylady.com/. Lord also has a challenging, especially for caregivers. podcast called "People with Parents," She said that caregivers often feel guilt which can be found at http://www. for engaging in self-care. veryfunnylady.com/podcast. “Get over it,” Courtesy Graphic she said. “They need you, but you need you. If you’re a caregiver, you need a stress relief plan; how are you dealing?” Lord said that when someone
Photos and graphics by Brittney Payette
What’s Inside Hassle for the Tassel
Avatar Review
CUSCA: Organization
Page 2
Page 4
Page 5