Say YES to everyone! My parents generation does not ask for help or share personal information easily. When I heard my mother tell someone on the phone there was nothing they could do to help while dad was in the hospital, I knew something had to change. (Jump to Lessons Learned) Dad's first hospital stay quickly proved that I could not do it alone. I was at the hospital by … [Read more...]
Caregivers Need Access to Documents as Advocates for Your Parents
Are personal papers REALLY in order? For the entire 61 years of my parent’s marriage their copy of their marriage license, had the wrong date on it. (Jump to Lessons Learned) Proving that my mother had the right to anything in my father’s name: Social Security spousal benefits, retirement funds, even changing the electric and gas bill into her name required not only a copy of … [Read more...]
How to be a Healthcare Advocate
Being a health advocate for your aging parents is critical. Before I began going to doctor appointments with my father, I asked if it would be OK to be his second set of ears. He readily agreed since background noise often made it difficult for him to hear even with his hearing aids. Later, dad felt so discouraged, he had trouble concentrating and remembering what the … [Read more...]
Caregiver Burnout and Feelings of Anger
Feeling angry is normal and it’s OK. Some days I am so angry with my father - angry and resentful that he died and left me responsible for my mother. (Jump to Lessons Learned) If you are a caregiver, you understand. If you are not there yet, don’t be surprised by these feelings. They are normal and recognizing them is another step in your grieving and for me, part of the … [Read more...]
Medicare Will Help Pay for a Wheelchair
But will it fit in my car? I could not have imagined what a game changer an SUV and a transport wheelchair would be for my mother’s care. (Jump to Lessons Learned) In October of 2014 my sedan was two years old. I did not intend to change cars, but my father’s van had been in and out of the shop with alarming frequency and I knew the sedan was too low to the ground for my … [Read more...]