For over ten years I was the caregiver for my aging parents. I can certainly say caregiving for your elderly parents will be the hardest job you will ever have to do.
There is no right or wrong way to being a caregiver for aging parents. You should not or cannot be perfect in this new job. You have to do what is best for yourself and your parents. Do not be a caregiving martyr. Get Help.
My mother and father lived in the city in the house they were married in. So for 60 years they had been in their home. My dad was a union plumber for 50 years, he began his apprenticeship in high school,which he quit to join the Army and go into WWII.
My mother was a homemaker and then went to work for the Board of Education in the city where we lived. My father had a stroke and had to stop working in his 60's. He became involved with the VA Hospital and started volunteering 3 days a week. His rehab went so well after his stroke the VA asked him to help other men in the same position.
Soon after my mother retired she started having all sorts of problems, first a knee replacement and then a hip replacement. She stopped driving and soon became very depressed. I found out later that she was in the early stages of Dementia. It is a horrid disease, unlike Alzheimer's Dementia patients become angry and sometimes violent. They both insisted on staying in their home and I allowed them to. I decided to leave my job to take care of all their needs so they could stay in their home. I am writing this article for all people who find themselves in this position. Please insist that your parents move to a nice senior apartment complex where there is all sorts of help and activities. Don't try and do it all alone. There are wonderful programs available for every income.
Don't be a martyr, in the end that helps no one and could do more damage. I loved my mom and dad very much and miss them. I just wish I would have gotten myself more help for me and for mom and dad.
One of the great things about the Internet is now their is so much information available for us. I wish I would of used these resources. Now you can find out about diseases like Dementia and know what to expect. I hope everyone who is taking care of someone they love get as much help as they can. Instead of always being to stressed about every thing you should try and enjoy what time you have with your loved ones.
Learn about caregiving and the resources that are available to you Click Here
