I am a only child. I have no brothers or sisters for help. I am solo on this rodeo ride. I have 4 sons in early 20's. They don't stop by often cause it tears them up to see her like this. They aren't about to help with bathroom issues, nor would I expect them to.
In our region, the patient has to be flat broke before agencies will kick in. In my region, Hospice will only kick in when she is within 6 months of death. She has been a widow since 1975, therefore a large retirement plan is not one of her assets. But she still has enough money, that she has too much. Once she is flat broke..."help" is a paid nursing home or Hospice.
She has LBD... Lewy Body Dementia... imagine Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and Paranoid Schzophrenia all rolled into one. She was in 2 nursing homes, both short term, and it was NOT a pleasant experience. Nursing homes are not equipped nor staffed for the unique problems this disease creates. Therefore I conceded that caring for her myself is the best choice for her.
Alzheimers is a progressive disease of 10-20 yrs. LBD is a progressive disease of 5-10yrs. LBD is usually triggered by an illness or accident. We suspect hers was triggered when she broke her arm June 2004. Then she broke her hip March 12, 2005, and this disease consumed her full force within 2 wks.
I did NOT write this blog so people would feel sorry for me. I wrote this blog because I am amazed how many OTHER people cry a river of "poor me, poor me" about their responsibilities towards their parents, which is usually miniumum compared to the TRUE definition of 'taking care of' your Aging Parents.
springazure44 Blog Comments (1)
HUGE PET PEEVE... 'Taking Care Of' aging parents.
I am a only child. I have no brothers or sisters for help. I am solo on this rodeo ride. I have 4 sons in early 20's. They don't stop by often cause it tears them up to see her like this. They aren't about to help with bathroom issues, nor would I expect them to.In our region, the patient has to be flat broke before agencies will kick in. In my region, Hospice will only kick in when she is within 6 months of death. She has been a widow since 1975, therefore a large retirement plan is not one of her assets. But she still has enough money, that she has too much. Once she is flat broke..."help" is a paid nursing home or Hospice.
She has LBD... Lewy Body Dementia... imagine Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and Paranoid Schzophrenia all rolled into one. She was in 2 nursing homes, both short term, and it was NOT a pleasant experience. Nursing homes are not equipped nor staffed for the unique problems this disease creates. Therefore I conceded that caring for her myself is the best choice for her.
Alzheimers is a progressive disease of 10-20 yrs. LBD is a progressive disease of 5-10yrs. LBD is usually triggered by an illness or accident. We suspect hers was triggered when she broke her arm June 2004. Then she broke her hip March 12, 2005, and this disease consumed her full force within 2 wks.
I did NOT write this blog so people would feel sorry for me. I wrote this blog because I am amazed how many OTHER people cry a river of "poor me, poor me" about their responsibilities towards their parents, which is usually miniumum compared to the TRUE definition of 'taking care of' your Aging Parents.