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.
My mom seems to be doing somewhat better these days and I am getting a little bit of a break. I had started looking into assisted living but Mom of course has not wanted that from the start. She actually came up with some solutions and now has services coming in 7 days per week, between hospice and bureau for aging and a woman she pays on weekends. Of course she still complains that none of these services will sleep over , but I told her I never expected them to offer that. However she found someone in the neighborhood who I grew up with who lives 1/2 a block from her and has been willing to sleep there if need be. My brother and I are still very much involved with her care, and I still see assisted living in her future, but I will gladly accept this little respite
TroJanThunder
Oh so you DID get her on hospice? Great. Enjoy your break!
ThePepperMan
By all means put YOUR health and well being on the front burner now!
Diane-M
I am. I started tackling some things.....got myself in for a checkup (my vitamin D level is very low and my under active thyroid meds needed adjusting-explains part of why I was dragging.) Spending more time with my hubby. Relaxing a bit :)
pd2012
Yes, absolutely, take any respite that you can get and take care of yourself. I'm hoping this peace lasts for quite some time for you!
Diane-M
Well that was shortlived. LOL!! Just heard from hospice. They said mom was actually hysterical last night because she could not get the top off her glaucoma drops. It was 10 PM and instead of calling me, (the social worker has explained to her that neither my brother nor i live close to her-we both have a trip to make-so she should tackle what she can on her own) she called them for suggestions-in tears, unable to breathe and with hands shaking. When they called her his morning, they tried and tried and got a busy single which worried them. *I* got mom on the phone this morning and told her that while I realize the drops are important-being unable to get the lid open is not a cause for hysterics. (She disagreed.)She lives in a half double and the people that just bought the other half have told her to let them know if she needs anything. The woman next door IS up at that time...she goes into work for 11:30 PM and I reminded Mom of this. Of course then I had to listen to how the Bureau for Aging services are not doing things right..especially the young ladies that come into clean. I told her these are her choices-I call them and complain, she calls them to complain, she realizes everyone does things different, or we cancel and she goes into a home. She is pissed at me again for that last one. Anyway.....I called Hospice back and told them to ask her for her cell number so they have an alternative number to try when they get a busy signal on her land line (which happens a TON because she has marathon phone conversations with her friends.) She is also pissed off at one of her doctors for something she feels he should have done for her. Again, i told her the DR needs to hear this, not me but I have decided to handle this issue myself because it is health related and she likes to just sit around and complain and not do much about it. PS.....my brother is going to Cali the middle of Feb and my mom gleefully informed me that she will be "all my problem" while he is gone. But you know what....I had a break....and all these services are still preferable to none!!
TroJanThunder
Yes. Sounds like the break did you good and some help is better than no help. Especially with someone who is impossible to please.
raymondwoods
Respite is very necessary. Hope you would have enjoyed your respite period. Same situation also occurred with an uncle. He was a caregiver to his mother from past 10 years and have now decided to go for a shot-term respite break to take off some time for himself. He found a good respite stays apartment NJ, http://jchcorp.org/respite-stays-nj-rates to take care of his mother till the time he is unavailable.
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