My parents live with me. Mom is diagnosed with metastatic cancer and isnt doing well. She needs someone to be around just in case. My dad has Parkinson and dementia. He used to rely on my mom for his needs but i took over that responsibility. I am getting married in Sept 2010 and dont know how my parents will do without my help. The two look forward and live for being around family (they do not like being alone- they are afraid of being forgotten/left alone). They are middle eastern, doesnt speak English and would be heart broken if i 'had them put away' or they no longer live with me. I'm not sure what is best for any of us. Suggestions?
You also may want to go to http://www.parkinson.org/ which is the National Parkinson's Foundation for information and pointers to help your dad.
Good luck with this. I've spent my life being pulled between needs of people I love, and it's hard. We have to remember that we need to carve out a life for ourselves, too, or we get sick. It's very hard to find balance.
Please check back to hear from others who can help give you emotional support.
Carol
I'm of Italian heritage and also grew up with the sense of obligation to family and "take care of your own" principles. It makes it especially hard to move parents out of the home but you must consider your long term financial outlook and in this day and age, it's really hard to save for our own old age if we spend years tending to others with no financial support.
Best of luck to you. You're a good daughter!