“I THOUGHT SHE WAS BEING DIFFICULT…”
Every morning, Mary helped Sister Theresa get ready.
One morning, everything seemed to go wrong.
Sister Theresa refused to get dressed.
She pushed the clothes away.
She became irritated when Mary tried to help.
Mary was tired.
She had already been awake since early morning, and she thought:
“Why is Sister making everything so difficult today?”
She stepped away for a moment.
Then she noticed something.
Sister Theresa kept rubbing her shoulder.
Mary gently asked:
“Sister, are you hurting somewhere?”
There was silence.
Then Sister Theresa quietly replied:
“My shoulder has been hurting since last night.”
Suddenly, everything made sense.
She wasn’t trying to be difficult.
She was hurting.
Mary sat beside her, listened, and adjusted how she helped her.
The morning became easier.
💙 THE LESSON
As caregivers, we sometimes see the behaviour before we see the need behind it.
A refusal may be pain.
Irritability may be fatigue.
Withdrawal may be loneliness.
Repeated questions may be anxiety or confusion.
Resistance may be fear.
Before you label the behaviour, look for the message behind it.
And remember: caregivers are human too. When you’re tired or overwhelmed, pause, ask for help, and give yourself room to breathe.
🌸 CSECNG CARE TIP
BE CURIOUS BEFORE YOU BECOME FRUSTRATED.
Ask yourself:
“What might she be trying to communicate?”
That simple question can change the way we provide care.
💬 TODAY’S REFLECTION
Have you ever discovered that what looked like “difficult behaviour” was actually a sign that an elderly person needed something?
Share your experience.
Your story may help another caregiver. 🤝
🌟 Series
CARE WITHOUT LOSING YOURSELF
Practical wisdom and real stories for those caring for elderly and infirm Sisters.
