Stories from Caregivers: Brenda from MICHIGAN
MI
Brenda
FROM MICHIGAN
My husband and I have been caring for my mom, Hilda, in our home for 11 1/2 years, ever since my dad died. We both worked when she moved in with us. We got very little help from my 7 siblings. My husband retired first and was able to take her to any appointments she had. As she aged, she went from using a cane to a walker. After a hip popping out for the 3rd time since she'd been with us, she was placed in an Assisted Living Facility to rehabilitate, always with the goal of coming home. She had a few mini strokes or TIAs while there and we were told she couldn't come home without 24 hour care. None of my siblings offered any care or any ideas how this could come about. I had been unhappy with my job and the 70 mile round trip drive and had been searching for something closer to home. One day out of the blue, I believe God came to me like a lightening bolt and asked why I don't quit my job to take care of mom. This idea was discussed with my husband and mom. She agreed to pay me what I had been making at my job to take care of her. It's now been 6 months that I have been caring for my 96 year old mother 24/7. It has been trying at times but we've made it work and I know she enjoys being home. We can get 5 days of respite care every 30 days, if we need it, with mom going to a respite facility, and Medicare paying her bill. And I'm enjoying not driving that 70 miles a day.
