How Do I Know I will Survive Caregiving?

im sure that happens wayne but its a pretty general statement. if my mother suffers a bad stroke or something its possible she could get better ( hospital ) style bedside care in a NH. hopefully she will be too ill to care at that point. in the meantime were going to stay in her home and do everything possible to make her life somewhat pleasurable.

Babalon1919: I love that line "You WILL survive because there is no other option"! It can be applied to so many things and I think I will remember that one to get me through some upcoming situations I forsee in my life. Thank you!

NO, THEY INSTITUTIONALIZE THEIR PARENTS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GET RID OF THEM THE OFFSPRING ARE VERY SELF-SERVING wHICH i DONT BLAME THEM BECAUSE ELDERLY PARENTS CAN BE QUITE A HANDFUL ESPECIALLY IF THEY DONT TREAT YOU NICE WHICH IS THE CASE WITH ME, AND IM SURE WITH OTHERS HERE :-) W

survival will require a strategy and the strategy cant be carved in stone either cause the need may chage without a moments notice. people institutionalize their parents for a variety of reasons and most are probably for the sake of optimal care for the elder but i did see a good reason for caring in home for elders while doing some reading this weekend. a girl said her parents never put her in an orphanage so she would try not to put them in a home. i thought that was good reasoning for enduring this self abusing task of elder caring..it IS a helluva task. my mother already requires so much attention that i bout have to schedule when i can shower and such.

I've been at this for 10 years. In varying and advancing levels of being needed...living in my mom's home with her.

You will not know what your own limits are until you are faced with them. I have personally found that my limits in this situation are quite a bit farther out than in other situations dealing with the same aspects of personality/life. This has been a nice surprise and a welcome relief. I am grateful for the loving relationship I have with my mom because I think that is what extends my limits without effort. So far, I really haven't met a brick wall too high to climb over or too long to go around.

May the same be true for you!

As far as what will be the best situation...you have three people's wishes and desires and even sort of demands to deal with...to try to make it so that all three of you are happy and not sorry later or resentful soon is a monumental task.

But I am sure you can do it. The thing is...all three will have to compromise. No one is probably going to get the picture perfect image they have in their mind and heart. No one is going to be completely happy *at first* but I think with communication, patience, and open-mindedness, you can find a solution that will enable everyone to be happy not long after its settled. The main thing is listening to everyone and realizing that what each of you wants might not be possible but that everyone is equally important in this situation and involving your mom and husband in your decisions and even, if possible, making the decisions as a group so that no one feels disregarded or less than important in the situation.

You've all three got to live with whatever you decide so don't be rushed and don't let outsiders try to pressure you no matter what happens. Read up all you can so that you are informed and can inform the others so that you all make the best decision, together, that you can!

And good luck!
You WILL survive because there is no other option!!!


LIFE GOES ON.
So shall ye.

My parents moved my grandmother in with them in the mid 1980s. She lived with them for a long time and was physically in good health, but became very dependent upon them for all social/emotional support. My grandmother has been gone for years, but my mom always said if she had it to do over again, she would have gotten her her own little place nearby. It would have kept more peace, and probably kept my grandmother more independent for a longer period of time.

Ive been doing it for 16 yrs. I know I wont survive! :-) LOL W

I am going through this same thing right now. Do NOT move your mother in, I did and I am paying dearly for it. Be strong and don't feel guilty, moving her in is the worst thing you can do for both of you though. *HUGS. :)

Tom, I was so glad to hear your response to Ollieskid. My mother has been living in my home for 7 years. She has never lived alone and refuses to stay alone even for an hour. She's always been like this, so it is nothing new. She's almost 80 and now she can hardly walk and is scheduled for an Open MRI of the brain on Monday. She falls and I can not pick her up. She is demanding and controlling. She has never had a life

Dear O,

My name is Tom and I own a home care agency in Scottsdale, AZ, Integrity Nursing Services, Inc. I have been running corporate home care companies since 1979, so I have worked with many people who face your situation. First, do not allow yourself to feel responsible or guilty for your mother's declining health. All you can do is assure that she has access to good health care and find a safe place for her. Your first step is to call her doctor and tell him what is going to happen. Hear for yourself what her current condition is and what you can expect to happen over the next twelve months. Also, have copies of her medical records sent to you as soon as possible. Obviously, his professional opinion will assist you in making the right choice for your mom. He may also be able to recommend a physician for her in your community. Make sure you know what type of health insurance she has. Is she on Medicare? Has she opted out of Medicare and gone with a different provider ie. Humana, United etc. If you don't already know, find out her financial situation. My mother, as an example, lived on social security and therefore qualified for an apartment in a HUD subsidized building where her rent was based not only on her income but also took into account the expense for medications etc. Many communities have these type of apartment buildings that are actually designed for seniors and might be referred to as Senior Apartments or some term like that. They are nice because the residents have a lot in common and tend to establish strong bonds. The building where my mother lived arranged various activities, none of which she participated in but that was her nature! I would also advise you to call your local Hospice Organization and seek some advice from them. Hospice is a great organization and is no longer just an "end of life" provider and as my company does, serves as a community resource.
I hope this will give you a place to start and I would be more than happy to provide additional information as you venture forward. As much as we love our parents you have to remember that in life we are an adult once and a child twice! You and your husband have a life and cannot let your mother distract you from building your future.
Tom