🎵 "I Will Survive" – EOA Caregiver Health Check (Gloria Gaynor)
Someone today on a post said 40% of caregivers die before their "patient" and that struck a cord? We know why- we are stressed, we are too busy, we have put someone or everyone's needs before our own. (I fact checked the 40%, it's a documented 18% if that makes it any better?)
Let's talk about the other patient in the room.
Not your spouse.
You.
Because in the middle of Alzheimer's, dementia, doctors, medications, insurance forms, caregiving schedules, and trying to keep another human being alive and safe...
There is still another spouse in the picture.
And that's you.
🚨 The Reality Check
When was your last:
☐ Physical Exam
☐ Mammogram
☐ Pap Smear
☐ Colonoscopy or Cologuard (poop in box)
☐ Skin Check
☐ Eye Exam
☐ Dental Cleaning
☐ Bloodwork
☐ A1C Check
☐ Blood Pressure Check
☐ Mental Health Check
If you're like most caregivers...
You probably know your spouse's medication list better than your own.
You know their next appointment.
You know their neurologist's phone number.
You know their Medicare ID.
But when was the last time you took care of YOU?
💔 The Dangerous Thought
I hear my friends say it, I say it
"I don't have time."
"I'll do it next month."
"I can't leave him."
"I'm fine."
That's exactly what scares me.
Because caregivers are famous for putting themselves last.
And Alzheimer's is not a sprint.
It's a marathon.
A very long marathon.
You have to stay healthy enough to finish it.
☀️ My Surprise: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Let's talk about skin cancer.
Not because I want to scare you.
Because I want to reassure you.
I recently had a Basal Cell Carcinoma removed.
The good news?
Basal Cell Carcinoma is one of the most common and most treatable forms of skin cancer when caught early.
The bad news?
I almost skipped the appointment.
Because I was busy.
Sound familiar?
🔍 Get The Skin Check
Florida friends...
This is especially for you.
Years of:
☀️ Beach trips
☀️ Baseball games
☀️ Soccer fields
☀️ Pool days
☀️ Bike rides
☀️ Yard work
☀️ Vacation sun
Add up.
Please get a yearly skin check.
The appointment takes less time than most of us spend scrolling Facebook.
📸 Before & After
I shared my own before-and-after pictures because I want people to see something important:
It wasn't nearly as scary as I imagined.
The procedure was straightforward.
The healing took time.
But it healed.
And I'm grateful I caught it early.
🩹 What Helped My Scar Healing
Everyone heals differently, so ask your doctor before trying anything new.
For me, what seemed to help was:
✔ Consistent moisturizing
✔ Patience
And yes...
Patience was probably the hardest one.
🧠 What About Mental Health?
Can we be honest for a minute?
How's your anxiety?
How's your depression?
How's your stress?
How's your sleep?
How's your blood pressure?
How's your wine consumption?
How's your emotional eating?
How's your Amazon shopping habit?
(Just checking.)
Because caregiving affects every part of us.
💊 Antidepressants Anyone?
There should be zero shame here.
Some caregivers need:
Therapy
Counseling
Support groups
Antidepressants
Anxiety medication
Some don't.
Both are okay.
You do not get bonus points for suffering.
If you're struggling:
Talk to your doctor.
Talk to a therapist.
Talk to someone.
🍎 The Caregiver Health Checklist
Once A Year
☑ Physical Exam
☑ Mammogram
☑ Skin Check
☑ Eye Exam
☑ Dental Visit
☑ Bloodwork
Every Few Months
☑ Weight Check
☑ Blood Pressure
☑ Blood Sugar
☑ Medication Review
Every Day
☑ Water
☑ Protein
☑ Movement
☑ Fresh Air
☑ Sleep (or at least try)
💛 Why This Matters
Here's the truth nobody likes hearing.
If something happens to you...
What happens to them?
It's the question every caregiver avoids.
But it's the reason self-care isn't selfish.
It's necessary.
Your spouse needs you.
Your children need you.
And frankly...
You deserve to be healthy too.
🎵 Why "I Will Survive"
Because that's exactly what we're trying to do.
Not perfectly.
Not gracefully.
Not every day.
But survive.
And surviving means taking care of the one person holding the whole thing together.
You.
💭 Final Thought
Schedule the appointment.
Make the mammogram.
Poop in the box (coluorguard)
Get the skin check.
Get the bloodwork.
Take the antidepressant if you need it.
Go to therapy if you need it.
Ask for help if you need it.
Because Alzheimer's has already taken enough.
Don't let it take your health too.
And if you're reading this while putting off an appointment...
Consider this your sign.
Call tomorrow.
Your future self will thank you.
📋 Caregiver Self-Care Challenge
This week, schedule ONE thing for yourself:
☐ Physical
☐ Mammogram/Colonoscopy
☐ Pap Smear
☐ Skin Check
☐ Eye Exam
☐ Dental Cleaning
☐ Therapy Appointment
☐ Bloodwork
☐ Gym Visit
☐ Walk Around The Block
One thing.
Start there.
Because you matter too.
💬 Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, lawyer, therapist, or expert—just a wife trying to figure this out one day at a time. Everything shared here is based on our experience and things that have helped us along the way. Take what helps, leave what doesn’t, and always check with professionals when needed. I also use AI to help clean up my writing, organize thoughts, and pull together resources because honestly… caregiver brains are tired too. If something here helps another family feel less alone, then it’s worth sharing.
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