Taking care of elderly parents

clair · Silver Member Joined: 26 Jun 2001 Posts: 243

Hi, my father is 84 years old and he lives with me and my family. He can barely walk and he often needs to be fed. Is there anyone else taking care of elderly parents?

kyla · Silver Member Joined: 21 Oct 2000 Posts: 292

Hi, I live with my mother who is 78. She is in the wheelchair most of the time. She is not completely incompetent to walk, but she saves the strength for going to the bathroom and similar occasions. I often have to help her shower, wash her hair and similar stuff. However, nothing is hard when I think of all those years that she did the same things to me. I am taking care of her like she took care of me when I was a kid. I don’t have my own family, so I don’t have anything to lose by spending time here, with my mother. She is always telling me to stop warring so much and to live my own life, but I don’t want her to be alone. It is so sad when old people are alone, with no one to talk to and to take care of them.

Guest · Guest

[My mother is 85, my dad died 3 years ago, the woman doesn't drive, freakin healthy as a bull, she is way too needy for me, I can't stand it, she gets on my nerves, I would like to move away and let someone else deal with this, it sucks

Varsi · Newbie Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Arizona

I'm hoping u are still checking the posts - I just saw it tonight and would love the opportunity to speak with other people in the same situations. My parents are 86 (dad) and 73 (mom) - Physically my dad is MUCH healthier than my mom - even tho he's much older. Also my mom is Bi-Polar. We are also raising my 7 yr old grandson since birth - so I get it at both ends. We have recently changed our living arrangements - we now live on same property in different houses - but soon - either we move in w/ them - or them w/ us i think. I love my parents more than anything - but this situation is not fun at all - I'm the only child living - so no one else to help. I've had to play serious parent for some time now - took away their car, their checkbook, their medications, and now I've had to hide the sweets until they've eaten their meals - AND I had to put a 'lockbox' on their a/c/heat thermostat. I feel terrible - but have no clue as what else to do.

I would love to hear from anyone out there dealing with similar or same issues: my email is: vappel@cox.net Smile

Guest · Guest

My mom is 82. She lives with me and my sister, and I am finding that
she needs us more and more. Naturally with aging she's getting more and more health issues. I get so worried when she goes to the hospital, and am so happy when she recovers. That's when you reallly get tested. When you dont' know what's gonna happen, and then they get better. That is when you appreciate them. The good part is that my mother had
7 daughters, so i do have siblings thank goodnes, who share some of the burden and care.

Guest · Guest

to the person who said that their mother got on their nerves, you are a jerk. I hope one day that you are in the same condition that your mother is and your family treats you like you treat her. The old saying what goes around comes around. I am taking care of my mother and she has to have help with everything but i am glad just to have her here with me... So you need to shut up about taking care of her.

zed1nc · Newbie Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

My mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer last week, the physician said she has 6 to 12 months at best. He also said she does not need anything for pain since lung cancer is really not painfull!!! Well i got her records and went back to her primary physician, and he prescibed liquid morphine.Not so concerned with her becoming a junky, i just want her to be comforatable.I am the only child left alive and it's my job to see that she dies with dignity and as pain free as posible with good quality of life.The medical complex with which we live with everyday is sometimes stupid and careless, and it floors me that anybody would stand and watch your loved one suffer without going the extra mile to get what they need.This doctor which he found me a bother to him so i got in his face and expressed my dissatisfaction for his moron diagnoses of who suffers and who doesn't.

Taking care of elderly parents

LIFEFORM SOCIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK