Caring For Your Parents.

[Donald]

Hi Folks,

I'm back again. I was up at my mum and dads for 9 days. His mobility is not the same anymore. He now needs help in getting up in the morning, showered and dressed. He now has to use a walking aid, or zimmer as it's called over here. However, he's a picture of health, eats well, sleeps night....and day. He's also now got the early stages of dementia. Have to see how that progresses. it gave my older brother and my sister a break these days I was home. My younger brother was at home last month.

I never thought I would have to help care for my dad. I salute everyone who has to care for a parent, it's an ongoing job that needs to be done. There is no way that mum could manage on her own. She is now 84 and dad is 87.

Donald

[snginc]

I do understand.  I went to see my oldest living relative, my Great Uncle.  He's 96 and they just moved him into a nursing home a few months ago.  He's slowed a step or 2 but he's still full of fire but his health is declining, it broke my heart to see him like that.  Treasure all the time you have with your parents...no one is promised tomorrow.

Jerome

[magicman]

There is nothing as difficult as helping aging parents -- or more rewarding. If the reward is not in this life, then you'll receive it in the next.

God bless you all and all of our aging, wonderful elders. -MM

[Donald]

Thanks for that. Unfortunately for me I live away from home, it's not that I can visit every day. Hopefully I'll get back up to visit in a month or so.

Donald

[Mark Austin]

I was up at my mum and dads for 9 days ... it gave my older brother and my sister a break these days I was home. My younger brother was at home last month.

Hi Donald,

That was really nice of you to spend time with your parents like that. I'm sure they appreciated it and I'm sure your brother appreciated the break as well.

Treasure all the time you have with your parents...no one is promised tomorrow.

Jerome,

That is so true.  Cancer, accidents, random illnesses, etc .. we just never know.

There is nothing as difficult as helping aging parents -- or more rewarding. If the reward is not in this life, then you'll receive it in the next.

Hey MM,

You're right. It is demanding but as you said it is also very rewarding. I personally think the hardest part is trying to balance everything.

Mark

[Donald]

Thanks Mark. They did appreciate it. My older brother especially in the first weeks when dad became ill, a urine infection, knocked him flat. After going on antibiotics he got his walking back, albeit a walking aid. Older brother has a loom and weaves the World Famous Harris Tweed. he had a backlog of tweed which he managed to catch up. Trying to get back up end of July.

I took annual leave so it wasn't a problem for me, no work to worry about. Could have done with broadband though, folks don't have it. Anyway, was good to be back up.

Donald

 

[Jim Burney]

Nice outcome Donald.

No broadband? Are they in the Highlands?

Jim

[Donald]

Isle of Lewis Jim. There is broadband but my folks don't do computers....lol. Can pick up a signal on my mobile, GPRS, but takes all day to load. Waiting for a page to open kettle on and have a cuppa...lol.

Donald

 

[KarenMcG]

Donald,

It's good to have you back. And I'm glad you were able to spend some time with your folks.  While it had to be a major change for all of you, I'd think it was also very rewarding for you to get to do it.

Karen

[Donald]

Thanks Karen, appreciate that, and from all the other replies below.

Donald

 

[hillsborowd]

I love it as I know what it is like but I am on the being held an I appreciate every bit of help but I still wish I could do thing my self