Stories from Caregivers: Renee from TEXAS
TX
Renee
FROM TEXAS
I am Renee and I am 63 years old and moved back to Mom's about five years ago. Her name is Margaret and she is 82. She cared for my sister with cancer until she died in 2005. She also cared for her mother who died in 2012 at the age of 96 and also cared for her husband, and amputee until he died later in 2012. His son, my step-brother lived with them for the last 5 years of step-dad's life and has not left.I knew I should have moved back with Mom a few years before I did, but then I lost my job and it finally became a necessity for me. I'm so glad I did. My step-brother (not my mom's blood) refuses to work, just taking up space and provides food for the home via food stamps. Now Mom is getting older, weaker, losing hearing and vision after botched eye surgery, using a cane and needs help that requires a female's assistance. I make all her doctor's appointments and drive her to them, along with grocery shopping, errands etc. I do look for AARP learning workshops and seminars, where we both attend as a way to socialize, learn and get to meet people with similar situations. The local Methodist Hospital also offers all kinds of seminars and workshops, like healthy eating, meditation, sleep disorders, Alzheimer, etcetera. I spend several hours per week performing tasks such as, laundry, cleaning, cooking, outings to beauty shop, church, pedicures and workshops/seminars. The best part of caregiving with Mom is getting to know her as an adult (me) and making fond memories. Most challenging is the same :-). She is still very cognizant of the fact that she is the mother, not the other way around and this is her house. Tips I would give would be getting to know what local resources are available, (especially AARP) and online info if caregivers are not in a large city like Dallas.
