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.
Hi, I'm ayla, I am 48 and have chronic illness and bipolar, but I am stable.
I take care of my mom (72) who had a stroke after hydrocephalus brain surgery and got home from the nursing home in March (she is receiving home physical therapy). Mom is very depressed and anxious and a bit of a hypochondriac who needs constant reassurance. She wears diapers and has a walker and wheelchair.
I also take care of my father (76) who has Parkinson's but not the tremors, including cognitive impairment. He has a walker and diapers too.
In Februaary, when I learned Mom was coming home from the nursing home after 100 days there, I rearranged the bedrooms, basically switched them out and changed the flooring and got new beds and rails and grab bars for the beds, new handlebars for the toilets, the works. I did almost everything myself, because my only sibling, my brother Bob who lives a block away seems to be living in another dimension and can't be bothered. If I really bug him, he will help a little, but I will pay for it by annoying me and guilting me for asking him in the first place.
We have a lot of doctors we see, and caregivers come when one parent needs to go the doctor, or when I need to see the doctor.
I call our little home "Mayfield Manor", our own little nursing home on Mayfield Drive. I am a nurse by trade, and a good thing too, or my parents would have both been in a nursing home by now.
I decided on January 20, that I had to have a purpose, and my Purpose is to make the nicest home possible for the three of us. Sometimes I get a caregiver in just so I can go out and have a little fun. Yes, I know the oxygen mask rule--take care of yourself first.
All in all, things are not too bad here at Mayfield Manor. I even have a therapist who comes to the house so I don't have to get a caregiver--how cool is that?
SO I am glad I found this group, and all of you.
I take care of my mom (72) who had a stroke after hydrocephalus brain surgery and got home from the nursing home in March (she is receiving home physical therapy). Mom is very depressed and anxious and a bit of a hypochondriac who needs constant reassurance. She wears diapers and has a walker and wheelchair.
I also take care of my father (76) who has Parkinson's but not the tremors, including cognitive impairment. He has a walker and diapers too.
In Februaary, when I learned Mom was coming home from the nursing home after 100 days there, I rearranged the bedrooms, basically switched them out and changed the flooring and got new beds and rails and grab bars for the beds, new handlebars for the toilets, the works. I did almost everything myself, because my only sibling, my brother Bob who lives a block away seems to be living in another dimension and can't be bothered. If I really bug him, he will help a little, but I will pay for it by annoying me and guilting me for asking him in the first place.
We have a lot of doctors we see, and caregivers come when one parent needs to go the doctor, or when I need to see the doctor.
I call our little home "Mayfield Manor", our own little nursing home on Mayfield Drive. I am a nurse by trade, and a good thing too, or my parents would have both been in a nursing home by now.
I decided on January 20, that I had to have a purpose, and my Purpose is to make the nicest home possible for the three of us. Sometimes I get a caregiver in just so I can go out and have a little fun. Yes, I know the oxygen mask rule--take care of yourself first.
All in all, things are not too bad here at Mayfield Manor. I even have a therapist who comes to the house so I don't have to get a caregiver--how cool is that?
SO I am glad I found this group, and all of you.
Thank you so very much for sharing!
And welcome to the group. As you can see we are all in various stages of dealing with our parents. I love the sharing and give/take that goes on here!
It's great to have you on the forum, pleased to meet you.
PD
Anyway, welcome and thanks for sharing.