Caregivers and Pets

In most families with a loved one on hospice, there is a person who takes on the role of the primary caregiver. This person, over time, assumes more and more responsibility for the day to day support of the hospice patient. It may be a husband or wife, son or daughter, mother or father, or even a neighbor or friend. I think most caregivers would agree that they had no idea how challenging being a caregiver for a dying loved one can be. Imagine someone you love becoming so ill that they eventually become bedridden and unable to care for their own needs. It doesn't start out that way, but as people come closer and closer to the end of life, they often become as helpless as infants, unable to manage taking their medications, eating or even their personal care. The family member who becomes the caregiver typically quits work in order to meet the increasing needs of their loved one, adding to the financial stress on the household. Over time, life for the caregiver becomes totally oriented around the patient's needs, administering medication on schedule, feeding, bathing, toileting, and sleeping lightly, only when the patient is resting comfortably. It's no wonder that most caregivers have no idea what day it is when you ask them.

I have been surprised to find that caregivers need pets in the home during this time every bit as much as the patient. When asked if their pets are adding to the stress level in the home, most caregivers tell me no. They say, instead, that the pet helps them remember what life is supposed to be like, that feeding them and caring for them doesn't add to their burden at all. Their pets are going through this experience with them, and they never judge or criticize what the caregiver does or says on a particularly difficult day. Pets are there to support and comfort them when they are overwhelmed with grief or when they need a break from the long days and nights. Pets need no explanation, no justification, no appropriate response. They are grieving, too, and that brings comfort to the caregiver.

This is why we do all we can at Pet Peace of Mind to keep pets comfortable, well-fed and cared for while the patient is on hospice. We want the caregiver to be free to enjoy their pet's companionship and support, without having to worry about the missed annual appointments, a flea problem or running out of heartworm medication or food. We see pets as family members and we believe they support caregivers and patients in ways that are unseen and in ways that are indescribable.