Let Go and Let God

"When your tasks seem a little heavy and overwhelming, remember to do one thing at a time quietly, and leave the rest because the rest is not your job. What you cannot get through, you must hand back to God and He will work it out for you." White Eagle

As caregivers for someone with dementia, the tasks can seem too heavy and overwhelming, and the above seems like good advice: to do one thing at a time quietly and leave the rest to God (as you understand God or a Higher Power). This same advice is given in the 12 Step Programs. People with addictions and those in relationship with them can make a mess of things by themselves, and they are advised to "Let Go and Let God": the same advice White Eagle is giving. Perhaps that seems like magical thinking, or perhaps you do not believe in a benevolent presence in the universe. In spite of that disbelief, this is good advise. We can only do so much. To try to do more is to endanger our own health. When the neuropsychologist recommended that my spouse be in a "setting where there is plenty of supervision", that would have been impossible to implement at home. Even with hired health care workers present, the equipment and vehicles at home created an environment in which Dwane endangered himself. I could not provide adequate safety in the home setting. We each need to do what is needed for the safety of the care receiver and the well being of ourselves. And, we can choose to trust God that the rest will be taken care of.