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 everyone,
Haven't been around for a while because I went on vacation for a week. The first vacation for a while and also the first time that I have been away since mom has been in long-term care (April 3).
I mentioned in my last discussion that I see my mom everyday. Of course with me being away for a week, I wasn't sure what I would find when I got home.
When talking with the staff, they said that she asked for me the first couple of days. Then I guess she kind of forgot. I did leave envelopes, each dated on the outside, for the staff to give her (I left one for everyday that I was going to be away). From what I found when I got there this afternoon, they had given her two of them but not the other 5. Kind of pissed off at that.
I went to see her this afternoon. She didn't recognize me at first. I could tell that she was puzzled. I told her my name and so did the nurse (repeatedly) that was standing beside her.She thought that I was my brother and then her brother. Finally I went to her room and took off the football jersey that I was wearing and I must be wearing a shirt I wear often. Then she recognized me.
It was tough because she really had no idea who I was.
Haven't been around for a while because I went on vacation for a week. The first vacation for a while and also the first time that I have been away since mom has been in long-term care (April 3).
I mentioned in my last discussion that I see my mom everyday. Of course with me being away for a week, I wasn't sure what I would find when I got home.
When talking with the staff, they said that she asked for me the first couple of days. Then I guess she kind of forgot. I did leave envelopes, each dated on the outside, for the staff to give her (I left one for everyday that I was going to be away). From what I found when I got there this afternoon, they had given her two of them but not the other 5. Kind of pissed off at that.
I went to see her this afternoon. She didn't recognize me at first. I could tell that she was puzzled. I told her my name and so did the nurse (repeatedly) that was standing beside her.She thought that I was my brother and then her brother. Finally I went to her room and took off the football jersey that I was wearing and I must be wearing a shirt I wear often. Then she recognized me.
It was tough because she really had no idea who I was.
((((HUGS)))) to you for what you are dealing with. I am going on a vacation for Christmas. I pray I can get away without too much guilt.
Mom seems to be at the stage that she doesn't remember the last 20 year kind of stuff but often mentions her parents. She says that she has to go to school or that her mom needs to sew a button on her sweater. Her mom passed away in 1963.
She has forgotten me a few times. Seems to be only for a few minutes, then it somes back.
I just hope for the fact that she knows that she is loved.
When my tell my siblings how mom is doing or what has happened that day at the home, often we laugh.
I know that the day will come when she doesn't know me. My sister only comes home at Christmas and she doesn't recognize pictures of her.
Kind of was taken aback when I went to the home yesterday and showed them some pictures of my sister (went to her house for my vacation). The staff commented on how nice my daughter looked.
Susan is only 10 years younger than me. Told them she looked so good because she didn't have any kids.
Another laughting situation.
A close friend explained it this way:
We are not meant to live on the earth for eternity. SOme people still try, some are afraid of making the last journey. So god helps them out. First he takes away eyesight. No longer can we see up close easily. We start to see the far off without struggle. So we can see the angels coming to take us home. Then we slowly lose hearing so we can hear the voices of the angels more clearly to know which way to go. Then if we live long enough, we start ot forget the things we learned as adults so we can walk into heaven in the child like state of acceptance that is necessary to accept that peace and total love.
Each step is a journey toward the next part of living.