tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post8460918667157908342..comments2024-03-27T22:44:20.979-04:00Comments on My Next 20 Years of Living: Caregiving - an essay on a difficult topicRetired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-77853874998049499852010-08-26T20:26:34.401-04:002010-08-26T20:26:34.401-04:00Thank you all. The essay was meant to put some of ...Thank you all. The essay was meant to put some of my thoughts into words and to round out the picture of me as I move forward with this process. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing your experiences. Knowing that you can relate because you have been there is a hugh value to me.<br /><br />And as for my dear daughter, I have learned a lot watching my mom. The biggest lesson is that I don't want to walk in her shoes as I get older ... and i dont want you to have to walk in mine. We can't always contol the future, but we can fight to make things different. That is what this blog is about.Retired Knitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-77522483638123285542010-08-26T20:04:48.807-04:002010-08-26T20:04:48.807-04:00You should know that no matter what, I will take c...You should know that no matter what, I will take care of you and dad. Whether that's in my house or somewhere else. <br />As for people who have insinuated you made a "stupid decision"...I am young, but have worked in several nice assisted livings and skilled nursing communities (as you know). Resident abuse is rampant (even in a nice community), well intentioned care staff are over worked and underpaid. You are the bigger person by putting Grandmas care first. Love you.ipkristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12895187846877239427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-24831250774511570752010-08-26T17:08:58.033-04:002010-08-26T17:08:58.033-04:00I spent from 1983 until January of 2008 helping my...I spent from 1983 until January of 2008 helping my relatives through illnesses and dying. I didn't seek the position, but as a woman with no children and not working out of the home, I was available. I took care of my mother-in-law (Alzheimer's), her brother (in a nursing home, but I handled the finances and saw him monthly), my mother (cancer), my first husband (cancer), my father (Parkinson's and dementia), and my second husband. All are gone now. 25 years of stress, learning patience, on-the-job learning how to be a caregiver, frequent laughter, some crying, some foot-stamping, some time going to an Alzheimer's support group (I recommend that when in that situation), many many nights of only three hours' sleep, and so on and so on. Through it all, I knew I was where God wanted me, doing what He wanted me to do. It wasn't easy, but not much in this life is, and at the end of it all,when people would ask, How did you get through it?, I replied, "You prayed for me, didn't you?" <br />I will be praying for you.Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14062816908672076240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-41532429080695727132010-08-26T12:53:29.380-04:002010-08-26T12:53:29.380-04:00I admire you for your honesty and your commitment ...I admire you for your honesty and your commitment of taking care of you mom. There should be more people like you!!<br />I took care of my dad when he was dying. I only had him at home for less than a year but it was hard, and I am so thankful that I was able to care for him. He died at home in his own bed.happyonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14186179870233267082noreply@blogger.com