Saluting caregivers for putting their lives on hold to serve others

Kenya: In my over 20 years of medical practice, I have seen patients suffer from a variety of issues. It is very difficult for anyone to face a severe illness, especially one with the potential for loss of independence. In this article, however, I want to recognise the sacrifice of these patients' caregivers. These often unsung heroes give much of themselves to care for their loved ones. And often, they serve with little reward. Let me tell you about a few I have met along the way.

A middle-aged woman spent most of her adult life caring for her brother. He had suffered a neck injury as a teenager and was paralysed from the neck down. At the time I met this caregiver, she had faithfully been there to get her brother in and out of bed, cook for him, give him his medication, bathe him, and dress his wounds for more than 20 years.

She was also providing care for her mother, who had become dependent on her following amputation of her leg and progressive memory impairments. This woman was not paid for her help, and many of the people who drove by the house every day did not have an idea of what she was giving to help her family. I salute her.

I recently met another hero who had taken in her mother, who was nursing terminal breast cancer and had become too weak to take care of herself.

The caregiver, a woman in her 30s, was there to make sure her mother was as happy and comfortable as possible. She provided this care in spite of her personal grief that resulted from watching her mother weaken and suffer.

I also remember a man in his 40s who put his life on hold to come and live with his ageing mother after his father died. This man did not want to see his mother go to a nursing home and be cared for by others.

Caregivers perform their duties out of love or a sense of responsibility. They are selfless. They give of their time, money and personal lives. They usually provide services without pay and, often, without even a thank you from others. They give while receiving little in return