January 16, 2008

A Caregivers Life

It is not what you would think !

I am a familty caregiver I gave up my life to care for my Dad and it has turned into a long process of caring for my Dad , my uncle and now my Mom . This was just going to be temporary but it has lasted for 15 years so far . I am one of seven living children . But as the saying goe's there is alway's the one willing to step up and do the right thing .I am it . I have gave up my life as I would have liked for it to be . I am the mother of an 86 year old baby at this time she requires total care .i had a good life at one time very good I would say , I had a job , a home ,and a car, three girls that I adored two dogs , a cat, and health insurance . I was a single Mom and I loved my life but all that has changed tremendously . I still Job that I don't get paid for ;have a car that is very old 92 model , a home that is in need of repair alway's and I have an 86 year old Baby to care for that I can't pick up and put into the car to go to the store or anything else . I am dependant on the mercy of other human being for health care .I can't go for a walk without someone who is able to care for her in my place . I would love to work but i can't afford the kind of sitter she would need . I try to take care of Mom just as I would like to be cared for if I was in that position . There are a lot of community agencies now that help but it does not cover everything that is needed and the cost of her medical care for Office visit I have to pay because her Doctor opted out of accepting Medicaid because it take's so long for it to payand I am not allowed to file it because I am not aw doctors office . I do mind that I am expected to live like this because I cannot not take care of her because my Dad asked me too and she would last very long in a nursing home and then we would have to give up the house and since I gave up my house to do this ; it is quite a situation to even think about .. I could go on and on but soon the baby boomers are going to see alot of what I am going through because it will be there turn for decling health which if we live long enough does happen .It would be nice to have freedom again I never though it would be so very hard to do what my parents did without thinking in thier day . Has the world become so preoccupied with acheiving thier dream that they forget to take a closer look at what is down the road for them when it is thier turn to need help and there is noone there to provide it . It take's your life right out of you to do this so very long with no financial help and the health care that I have is because someone somewhere saw need for people like me . .

by Patsy A. Matthews