Experiencing Joy in Caregiving

MHA Admin

Mon, 11/20/2023 – 15:59

by Jackie Zimmermann

Soo Jin became a caregiver unexpectedly when her sister-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia. After a single phone call, Soo Jin was on her way to her sister-in-law’s house to pack her things and welcome her into her home. When discussing caregiving, the focus is often on the hardships, and there are many challenging times. Still, in Soo Jin’s experience, like many others, there is so much reward. Relationships deepen, hope grows, and living in the present becomes necessary.

Finding joy

When life changes unexpectedly and quickly, it raises questions you may not have ever considered before. Existential topics become more real – which makes finding joy crucial. Soo Jin and her family found that focusing on the little things can be rewarding and make the existential fears manageable. . Along with noticing the little things and allowing them to bring joy comes hope. Think of hope as an action – something that we can practice and build. When going through challenges, hope is one of the most powerful mental health protective factors we can place in our lives.

Living in the moment

Soo Jin explains that there are so many new unknowns in her life, but being hopeful about what’s to come and living in the present is essential. Balancing it all can feel nearly impossible between caregiving responsibilities, work, relationships, and all of life’s other demands. Living in the present, moment to moment, is a way that Soo Jin has been able to function through the busyness of being a caregiver. She is more mindful and conscious about prioritizing and being present in each moment.

Strengthening relationships and asking for help

Caregiving can change relationship dynamics, and while this can be challenging, new types of relationships can allow you to bond in ways you haven’t before. Soo Jin has gained a sister, something new and fulfilling for her.  

Asking for help can be difficult for many individuals, especially in Asian American families. Soo Jin reflects that this cultural nuance is a challenge for her family. Becoming caregivers has required them to learn how to ask for help and receive it when needed. We can’t do it all, and we can’t do it alone. Caring for yourself as the caregiver is a must, and finding the balance between asking for help and supporting others is essential.

It can be hard as a caregiver to not become overwhelmed and let the sadness and stress take over. But with this new role can come new perspectives. You might find joy, fulfillment, and hope like you have never known.

Jackie Zimmermann is the manager of public education partnerships and e-learning at Mental Health America.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Capital City Emergency “Level II” Trauma & Wellness Center will house a “state of the art” Outreach Community Resource Center, that will provide case management, mental health community advocacy, and oversight from the M.I. Mother’s Keeper mental health advocates. 
 
The Capital City Emergency “Level II” Trauma & Wellness Center will offer patrons access to immediate coverage by general surgeons as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care.
 
Our goal is to help people in the best way possible in an effort to preserve and to save more lives in the Nation’s Capital and beyond.

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Emergency

Code Red
Gunshot Victim
Life Threatening Wounds
Physical Assault Victim
Severely Injured Auto Accident Victim
Burn Victim
Epilepsy/Seizures
Cardiovascular
Choking & Breathing Obstructions
and more…

trauma

Child Sex Assault Victim
Domestic Violence Victim
Drug Overdose
Rape/Sex Crime Victim
Suicide Watch
Trafficking Victim
Nervous Breakdown
and more…

Mental Health

At Capital City Emergency Trauma & Wellness Center patrons with mental health emergencies that include life threatening situations in which an individual is imminently threatening harm to self or others, severely disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a severe inability to function or is otherwise distraught and out of control, will have access to quality and psychiatric emergency services and referrals.

Physical Health

Whether your life threatening medical emergency involves excessive or uncontrollable bleeding, head injury. difficulty with breathing, severe pain, heart attack, vision impairments, stroke, physically collapsing, or seizure related, rest assured that our professionals will properly assess and evaluate the level of response that will be most needed to help provide stabilized care solutions and minimize complications as well as reduce early mortality.

Holistic Healthcare

We offer healthcare solutions that will support the whole person which includes their physical, psychological, emotional, social, & spiritual wellbeing. Research supports that because your mental state can affect your overall health we support and offer the inclusion of complimentary and alternative medicine(CAM) practitioners and naturopathic doctor recommendations and referrals as a part of our Outreach Community Resource Center’s care regimen and support.

Rehabilitative

Emergency care can typically result in traumatic injuries for which rehabilitation becomes an essential component of care in trying to achieve the best long-term outcomes for the patient. In addition to speeding up recovery times and helping to prevent further complications, rehabilitative care also helps to support a patient’s self-managed recovery once discharged from our facility. Our Outreach Community Resource Center works closely with our trauma center’s discharge department to assure that patrons requiring these services are linked with qualified professionals who will be accountable to the standard of care required to help the patron be successful in their recovery.

Social Services

Our “state of the art” Outreach Community Resource Center intends to promote “expansive” beneficial community enriching services, programs, case management, & linkage to “approved” partner resources and supports in all of the following intended areas and more:

Social Services

  • Clothing
  • Food Pantry
  • Housing/Shelter
  • I.D. Credentials
  • Senior Wellness Check
  • Toiletries
  • Transportation
  • Etc.

Extended Family Services

  • Child Care
  • Credit Counseling
  • Family Court Services
  • Legal Aide

Career Training

  • Apprenticeship programs
  • Computer/Graphics Training
  • Culinary Program  
  • GED Courses
  • Hospitality Training
  • Job Etiquette & Grooming
  • Resume’ Prep
  • Sales Training
  • Software/Technology workshops
  • Small Business Training

Return Citizen
Program Partner
(Bridging the Gap)

  • Case Management
  • Temporary Boarding/Housing
  • Transitional Program Registration

Prevention/Intervention Outreach,
Workshops, & Programs

  • After-school Behavioral Health Program
  • Civic Engagement / Volunteer Sign-up
  • Fatherhood Rites of Passage
  • Gun Violence Town Hall Forum
  • Life Coaching & Coping Strategies
  • Marriage Counseling Workshops
  • Medicare Informational Workshops
  • Mentorship Training
  • Parental Classes
  • Support Groups
  • Town Hall Discussions
  • Violence De-Escalation Training
  • Voter Registration

Nutritional Outreach

  • Cooking Demonstrations
  • Dietary Programs
  • Exercise Classes
  • Recipe Sharing Workshops
  • Meal Prep

Community Outreach

The Healthy DC & Me Leadership Coalition is partnering with the M.I. Mother’s Keeper Mental Health advocacy organization to provide outreach services on the community level as an aid in reducing the existent health inequities that many District citizens are facing as a direct result of the presence of debilitating social determinants and the lack of culturally appropriate care choices and realities for community members residing in marginalized and lower-income communities.

It is the vision and intentions of the M.I. Mother’s Keeper Mental Health Advocates organization to help improve the quality of living for citizens living in our Nation’s Capital and beyond by overseeing the delicate linkage to services and by maintaining higher standards of care accountability for deserving citizens of the Nation’s Capital.

For more information or to enroll as one of our service providers, please email us at:
info@healthydcandme.org