A new year always brings change. And in caregiving, change is something you learn to move with.
At the start of 2015, we knew things were shifting. My housemate’s care indication would run out mid-year, which meant conversations with the municipality were coming. But more than that—it was a moment to pause and really look at what she needed now, not what worked before.
Because things were changing.
Her vision was getting worse, slowly but noticeably. So we adapted. We added push handles to her wheelchair—something small, but meaningful. It gave her more ease, and gave me the ability to guide when words or directions weren’t enough anymore. Less strain, more freedom. For both of us.
At home, we were adjusting too.
We had arranged a medical bed, but the nights were filled with quiet creaks and restless sounds. Not ideal when rest matters most. So we found another way. A bed from my parents—simple, familiar, and exactly what she needed. We changed the mattress, made it her own… and just like that, it felt right. Sometimes the best solutions are closer than you think.
Then there was the digital world.
Something as everyday as using a computer became harder. Her sight made it difficult, frustrating at times. A Mac felt like the best option—more accessible, more intuitive—but also more expensive. Another challenge to figure out. Another conversation waiting to happen.
So we started small.
I asked her to write things down. The moments that didn’t work. The things that felt difficult. Step by step, we’d find solutions—adjust, improve, keep moving forward. That’s how we do it.
There’s a lot of uncertainty around changes in care systems. We feel that too, in the background. But not everything has to feel heavy. Sometimes it’s about trust—that support will find its way, in one form or another. What matters most is that she can keep living her life, even on the days I’m at work.
Caregiving isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about adapting, again and again. Finding light in small improvements. And continuing—together.
To everyone walking a similar path this year: you’re not alone. 🤍
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