Duet’s Mentor/Mentee Service Equips Family Caregivers
“Diane said that she felt it was a privilege to care for her husband. And I think I might have gasped, because that was exactly what I felt inside as well.”
— family caregiver, Tara, explains how her mentor, Diane, was the perfect match
The origin story of Superman, the iconic comic book superhero introduced in 1938, is well-known. In his civilian alter ego identity, Clark Kent is a mild-mannered journalist who works for the Daily Planet, a newspaper in the fictional city of Metropolis. Clark Kent’s dual identity allows him to blend into society and live a relatively normal life while also being able to fight crime and protect humanity as Superman.
Caregiver mentors are like that. They possess superpowers to empower mentees new to the caregiving journey—while oftentimes living out their own caregiving journey at the same time. From practical advice and emotional support to problem-solving, caregiving mentors help mentees navigate the ups and downs of caregiving for a loved one.
Diane Halvorson is one such superhero mentor. She was paired with caregiver mentee, Tara Travis, on May 10, 2023, through Duet’s Caregiver Mentor/Mentee service. Tara is a caregiver to her husband of 38 years, Scott, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018 after a heart procedure. “It wasn’t always easy for me to reach out to her [Diane]. She had this superpower of calling me at the precise time that I really needed to hear from her. To know someone cared about how I was doing and really knew what I was experiencing made all the difference.”
Diane was a caregiver to her husband, Larry, who lived with Parkinson’s Lewy Body Dementia for many years before his passing in 2021. And while all caregiving journeys are not the same, Diane and Tara’s were undeniably similar. When Scott’s care became too much for Tara to handle alone, she was faced with the tough decision to move him into a memory care facility. It was Diane that understood the range of emotions Tara was experiencing because Diane had been faced with the same decision. “She reminded me that my fears weren’t peculiar or foolish, but sacred, and that it was right, and that it was good to want to keep our relationship alive, even if he couldn’t be home anymore.”
Without the inner generosity of mentors, new caregivers invariably try to fit challenges into their own box of solutions which may not always work. It takes the compassion and gentle direction of a mentor sometimes to share what did and did not work for them while honoring and validating a new caregiver’s feelings. Of Diane, Tara shares, “You made a real difference in my life. You made me feel safe during a time when I had doubts and fear. You validated my feelings and gave me confidence in my decisions. I feel eternal gratefulness, and you will reside in my heart forever.”
Family caregivers need support, both emotionally and physically, to prevent burnout and maintain their own well-being. Duet offers diversified family caregiver support groups, as well as a peer support Mentor/Mentee service as a valuable resource for caregivers to find one-on-one emotional support and guidance to navigate the challenging journey of caregiving. To learn more, please visit duetaz.org/peer-support-for-caregivers or contact Duet Family Caregiver Services at (602) 274-5022.
Superheroes like Superman may exist in comic books, but real-life heroes walk among us every day. Caregiver mentors, like Diane, embody the true essence of heroism through their unwavering support and empathy. They are the unseen champions who stand by those just beginning their caregiving journey, offering not only wisdom but also a compassionate presence during the most challenging moments. Tara’s story is a testament to the profound impact a mentor can have—a guiding light in the darkness of uncertainty. As caregivers navigate their paths, they are reminded that they don’t have to do it alone; there are mentors ready to share their strength, experience, and heart. In every call, every piece of advice, and every shared tear, these mentors prove that even in the most difficult times, there is hope, and there is help. For those seeking their own superhero mentor, Duet’s Family Caregiver Services stand ready to connect them with someone who understands and cares. Because, sometimes, the most powerful superpower of all is simply being there for someone else.
