Is there a place on here to introduce myself?

Welcome aboard. Read all the questions and answers that you can, there is a lot to be learned here.

So true, pamzi, many of us are thrown into this. Joanne, welcome! It all happened so fast for me. My parents were healthy and independent, on no medication, dad still driving to work everyday and the gym until he was 85! Now, he is 90 and oh boy, sis and I are taking care of both of them. Dad has late onset Parkinson's, fell and broke his hip 4 years ago, aspiration pneumonia, feeding tube, dementia. Mom now has Alzheimers and is very thin and frail. I am thankful to have found this site. I've gotten support, kindness, wisdom, and lot of hugs here!

Welcome, and you are wise to begin looking into information early. Alot of us got thrown into this.. I know I did! We are a very friendly bunch these days! To help you feel like you know some of us... I am taking care of my frail mother after my father passed in Feb. He had ALZ and they lived with me for about 2 years before he passed. My hubs lost his job last year so we are now in his retirement phase...LOL But it works for us as he is available to watch over her, and take care of our place and his parents property. His parents are in their 90s and his mom has dementia, and they just moved in with BIL and wife.. quite the learning curve there! So we get the hit from both sets of parents! FIL still calls hubs ALL the time, not happy at new home at all!

Joanne; Welcome! A lot of us put the basic details in the "about Section" in our profiles. But a good long post with all the details and what your question(s) are is absolutely acceptable! It's nice if you break things into paragraphs; that makes a post easier to read, but it's not always possible to do that if you're typing on a phone. So if it can't be done, don't sweat it.

Hope to see a post from you soon!

Welcome Joanne! :)

Write as much as you'd like with as many details as you can. It not only helps us understand what you're going through but it's very cathartic.

Joanne27, This forum is for any and all who care for others or just want to learn as you said. Question away we learn from each other. Welcome!

GardenArtist, Oh how I thank you for your kindness and inclusion!

Joanne, no issue that's of concern to a caregiver is too little or inconsequential to be addressed. So, post away!

And welcome to the forum.

Thank you JessieBelle! I already feel less trapped and alone.

You're in the right place. Ask away. If you haven't done it yet you can fill out your profile. There is a section you can write a little about yourself and who you're caring for.

Welcome to AC!