Help has already been made accessible online.
But sentiments weigh differently when they come from someone who’s had first-hand experience, one who’s been in one’s shoes and genuinely relates to circumstances. This is Eleanor Gaccetta’s message to caregivers in her book One Caregiver’s Journey, which is meaningful material to not only professional service providers but also those offering their hands, time, and attention to others.
There is a more genuine channel of support, which can be achieved through others’ experiences.
Being a caregiver is no easy journey. Most are already struggling to cope with life. How much more when they get to live and manage it for two? This is precisely the life caregivers are living. With the task of caring for others from morning until night, seven days a week, they have little to no time left for themselves. It’s no light burden to carry and live with.
How do they live with it?
Caregivers as Unsung Heroes
“Caregiving calls for people to lean into love they didn’t know possible.” This excerpt from author Tia Walker’s The Inspired Caregiver shows readers a glimpse into the seemingly mundane yet heroic lives of caregivers. What Tia Walker provides is a way to appreciate what caregivers do by reading about their lives and absorbing the things they do.
From the eyes of mere citizens, caregivers are simply that—givers of care. Underneath their service, there lies a world filled with challenges and woes that fail to be seen and heard.
Authors and caregivers alike have been hand-in-hand in showcasing the reality that these individuals live with. The real-life heroes that remain hidden beneath the sheath of isolation are caregivers, who are among the most underappreciated providers despite doing most of what they do. Yet, in spite of the lack of recognition, they never fail to show up and offer sincere help to their patients.
What they lack in recognition, they compensate in the assistance they provide.
However, it’s never easy being in their shoes. What society can do is recognize their efforts and offer them support and empowerment through understanding what they’re going through.
One Caregiver’s Message to Caregivers
In Eleanor’s guide book for caregivers, the author relays a message to caregivers: You aren’t alone.

A photo of a cheerful caregiver talking to elderly people | Image by Lifestylememory on Freepik
The author knows how isolating life can be as a caregiver. Although they spend their days with someone—the patient whom they’re caring for—this can still be solitary. Unlike other career paths, being a caregiver leaves people with the least time for themselves. They’re stuck with nothing else but the responsibility of caring for someone else.
If there’s anyone who truly understands how life is for these individuals, it would be Eleanor Gaccetta.
With nearly ten years of assistance, the author has already mastered and put to heart what caregiving is. Her book, One Caregiver’s Journey, is a journal of her experiences while caring for her ailing mother, a material to honor their memories together. It details how she became of service to her mother and her mother alone.
She shares that at age 93, her mother fell and broke her hip. This is what sparked her whole life to change. Throughout her mother’s rehab process, and through nearly a decade, Eleanor Gaccetta had to stick close to her and help her—becoming her right hand. This prompted the author to quit her 40-year work and become a full-time family caregiver. These events are what birthed her book, written to inspire others who are also going through the same things. Whether they’re professional caregivers or simply the member to step up and do the job, Eleanor’s message to caregivers remains the same.
What Is a Positive Message for a Caregiver?
Beyond showing how her life took a 180-degree change, Eleanor’s book is a testimony of how rough caregivers have it.
Multiple stories online capture the reality of caregiving. Although these sentiments are written by different hands, they’ve been through the same obstacles and had their fair share of frustrations. The journey as caregivers is brimming with challenges and multiple rock bottoms.
If you have but one message to caregivers, what would it be?
Take it from Eleanor Gaccetta, who has poured her woes and grievances into her book. Throughout those pages, she conveyed the stress she had to deal with, decompressing from the whole thing. Readers would understand how frightening and agonizing Eleanor’s journey had been. Hence, if there is one message Eleanor then would’ve loved to hear, it would’ve been that she’s doing well.
Her message to caregivers is that of inspiration and support, reminding them that they aren’t alone and it’s okay to rest and seek support. She knows how challenging life can be for caregivers, especially those who didn’t go through the necessary preparations and had to jump in. She knew what to write and how to convey it because she, herself, needed to hear it during the period.
You’re Doing Fine. Keep on Going.
When the going gets tough, people seek nothing but motivation. This can come internally, as can the intentions they’ve set themselves. This can also be from others, the encouragement and recognition that pushes them through. However, amidst all this, the latter would be most significant for caregivers, especially those with little to no idea of what they’re doing and whether they’re doing great.
Most of the time, these caregivers don’t seek responsibility. Instead, they’re handed the job. As a sign of affection, they have no choice but to help others. Hence, they’re left in the dark about the particulars, the requirements, and the necessities of caring for someone. While they do so wholeheartedly, they can’t help but question whether they’re doing the right things.
A caregiver’s role is to provide hope for the ailing person. But this hope can’t be given if the caregivers themselves don’t have it deep within them. Thus, here’s a message to caregivers: You’re doing great. You’re on the right track, and you’re not alone.
More of these messages can be read in One Caregiver’s Journey by Eleanor Gaccetta. If you’re a professional caregiver or the family’s chosen provider, grab a copy and empower yourself! It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble online and at www.onecaregiversjourney.com.
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