Changing Roles: Care Givers
Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, July 16 and October 29, 2006
Show 318
Leeza Gibbons and Dr. Jamie Huysman share the story of a strong caretaker Betty Lovinus, and her mother. Beginning eight years ago, Betty's mother was challenged with dementia and needed more prompting to take her medications and change her clothes. "I felt very helpless about it," says Betty. Dr. Jamie Huysman explains, "A universal issue is to struggle with the reversal of roles." Betty admits in spite of this role reversal, "It's a very fulfilling feeling to know we can have my mom here at home." Dr. Jamie Huysman reminds us, "It's a loss of a role, not a parent."