Brenda

Mom cannot be alone at this point and needs someone to care for her at all times.  Brenda comes each morning to take care of her.  At first, my parents hired her to clean the house and help feed Mom.  Now, she is the primary caregiver in the mornings.  Mom told her she was not going to get any better.

In the afternoons, friends come over to visit with Mom until Jamie gets off from work.  Jamie then stays until Dad gets home.  Grandmother has helped out a lot and has been a blessing.  She lives across the street from Mom and comes over to help her in whatever way she can, even if it is to just sit with her.  Grandmother fell a long time ago and broke her leg, but her leg never healed right.  She has to walk with a cane or use a wheelchair at times.

 

If we cannot come down for the weekend, we would have to hire someone or Dad would have to be there 24/7.  Just getting her up to go to the restroom was a major task.  She has to wear a special belt around her waist to help us hoist her up without straining our backs.  It has two loops around it for us to grab.  After getting her up, we have to hold onto her as she struggles to put one foot in front of the other.  She has fallen several times before and luckily did not break any bones.

This particular weekend was my weekend to take care of Mom.  One Sunday morning on the way to church, I was walking Mom to the car and her feet stumbled under her.  She fell, but I caught her.  I lowered her down to her knees.  I learned from a previous mistake, that instead of panicking, I needed to remain calm.  She said, “You are not going to be able to get me up.”  I told her in a stern voice, “Yes, I am.”  I pulled her by the loops on her belt until she stood erect.  She was not hurt, and we continued on our journey to church.

    U  Who will be the caregiver for your loved one? (The caregiver needs to make sure they take care of themselves while being a caregiver.)   U