Caring For Aging Parents Support Group

Caring for aging parents can be a difficul time as we become the caretakers for our parents. This broad responsibility can encompass such services as assisted living, adult day care, long term care, nursing homes, hospice care, and in-home care. Whether you have just started caring for your parents or just need a place to talk, we're here.

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/ Caring For Aging Parents Support Group

Another hello and check in with all here!

magiccarpetrider
magiccarpetrider
Hi to everyone here! You all have my support and caring. Being a caregiver is a tough job. Whether we have our parents at home with us, or they are at another family member's home, or in assisted living, nursing home or hospital, it's all tough. Hard on us mentally, spiritually maybe too, and sometimes physically! I know trying to care for mom since she's been bedridden (and she is overweight) is hard work.

I was told by a very caring member here to take care of myself too, not lose myself, and I want to remind you all to remember to do that for yourselves too. Take care of yourself, then you'll be coming from a better position to care for your parent!

Here is a big hug to all of us {{{{{{{{{{{ we parental caregivers }}}}}}}}}}}

~ Kathy
Community LeaderThePepperMan
ThePepperMan
I'm guessing that you had a pretty good day today since you didn't have too much to vent!
TroJanThunder
TroJanThunder
Hugs to you Dear!
MsBlank1
MsBlank1
What encouragement!!!!
I agree....take care of yourself. Something so basic is hard to do, but there comes a point when taking care of yourself first is essential. I saw how my mom ran herself ragged jumping at all my dad's "urgent"demands and ended up losing her own health. She is now in a wheelchair herself, became diabetic, has a stent in her heart, and suffers from chronic anemia and ulcers (go figure). My dad passed away 3 years ago, but my mom is still suffering the repercussions of NOT taking care of herself and over taking care of my dad. She also suffers from depression big time becuz of ignoring her own feelings and needs.
It's all very sad and most of it could have been avoided (long story) if she would have at least taken care of herself and some of her needs.
Thanks for the encouragement AND the reminder of taking care of yourself.
magiccarpetrider
magiccarpetrider
Pepper Man, yesterday (June 3rd) was pretty good. I am beginning to see this wild ride is going to be a roller coaster ride. Hang on! Today has had some tougher moments. Mom's asked a couple of times in a couple of her very brief semi-lucid moments "Am I dying?" I told her what I feel is the truth. She's always told the nurses and doctors to tell it like it is, and I owe that to her. I told her "Mom, your nurse Jordan thinks you've shown some signs of dying, but NO ONE knows when you're going to die, and the truth is if you can wear the BiPap more, you will have more time, and that will be more quality time." This answer seems to satisfy Mom, and though she doesn't have too much to say, she's been accepting the BiPap more, and even asked for it a couple of times! Today has been the most she's been on since she's been home with me. And yet - this all is breaking my heart. Sometimes she calls me and my sister "Mom" or "Mommy" and she can still come out with "How are YOU doing?" when we ask her how she is. :) :( it's tough
magiccarpetrider
magiccarpetrider
Thank you TroJan. Again, I wish to send hugs all around, to you and everyone here going through this tough time. {{{{{{{{ All of us! }}}}}}}
magiccarpetrider
magiccarpetrider
Ms. Blank1, your mom is such a caregiver. Your dad was treated like a king! I know my mom's generation and her mom's generation did SO MUCH for others, family, friends, even a stranger on the street, and mostly with no thought to themselves. It must be horribly painful to see your mom now, worn down by the overwhelming demands she put on herself to tend to your dad. My heart goes out to her. And to you, too, because it must hurt like **** to see your mom this way. Thank you for your post, and YES let's take care of ourselves. Remind ourselves to do this every day, throughout the day. Little time outs and bigger ones too :)