Most experienced caregivers will tell you that there’s a lot of “stuck in place” time when caring for a loved one. We wait during tests, treatments, and appointments. We hang around the house because we need to make sure our loved ones are safe. If they’re hospitalized or bedridden, we do a lot of sitting at their bedsides.
I remember just what a lifesaver my e-reader was when my brother was hospitalized. He hated to be alone because he was so vulnerable. I spent hours reading book after book while he slept. It didn’t matter that the room was dark. I bought an e-reader that lit up.
That’s the beauty of an e-reader over a traditional paperback. You can sit in a dark room while your loved one has a medical test (vascular, cardiac, etc.) and enjoy a wild thriller.
But you can just as easily read a nonfiction book, a magazine, or even a newspaper. What’s more, you have an extensive library at your disposal. Every couple of months, I go browsing through the virtual aisles in search of a good read. I’ve discovered authors I wouldn’t have found on traditional bookstore shelves.
I’ve taken chances on books that turned out to be duds. It helps to preview the book before you download it. But I’ve also found some really fun reads.
As a caregiver who has dealt with some very intense caregiving situations, I can tell you that stress is a very real issue when a loved one has complications or is in precarious health. I counted on my e-reader to whisk me away from my troubles. Even if I only read ten minutes here or ten minutes there, I could escape for that little bit of time. I could think about something other than my concern about test results or what terrible surprise would pop up next.
Best of all, I could tuck it into my purse and pull it out when I had a few minutes. When I pushed the button, I was right back where I left off.
Don’t get me wrong. I still love paperbacks, especially if I’m sitting on a chaise lounge by the water on a fine summer’s day. But paperbacks don’t glow in the dark during a power failure. When the lights are out, I have the perfect excuse for curling up to read. That’s why I always make sure to recharge my e-reader right before a storm blows through.
Does it matter what kind of e-reader you buy? Heavens, not to me. I’m not here to sell you one. All the big names offer their own versions with different features. I’m just telling you that having one handy during caregiving was a lifesaver for me. It kept me company through the long vigils, through the medical appointments, and even through hospice for a loved one. I still look forward to having an excuse to pull it out and read, although I confess I am grateful that my caregiver duties are lighter now.
If you are worried that you will have to spend a fortune to purchase digital books, don’t. Most public libraries offer you free downloads from their collections. Many authors offer the first book of a series for free, special sales, or even giveaways. You can get free books from LibraryThing and GoodReads in exchange for honest reviews.
And the best thing about e-readers? They don’t interrupt you with incoming phone calls. It’s all about the reading. So, when you’re feeling penned in by your caregiver duties, consider getting one. It’s a doorway to your next great armchair adventure.