Clark Family Caregivers | Caregiver Action Network

Clark Family Caregivers

Name: 
Catherine Clark
Location: 
Chicago
Caregiver Relationship: 
Spouse
Living Arrangements: 
Share Home
Primary Illness: 
Heart Disease

We have been married almost 45 years, but not such a great marriage. We don't believe in divorce, that's all. So we stick together. He is now disabled and on hospice care, since late January of 2017. I am, for all intents and purposes, the sole caregiver. Our youngest daughter lives close by, but has a house that also has an AirBNB, two children, whom we adore, and a full time job. She does what she can and is available in case of emergency. Her older siblings don't care and live far away, so there is nothing there. His family lives in the greater Seattle area, while we are in Chicago, IL - they are great with advice when asked for it, suggestions to help me out, and sympathy, but are not close enough for anything else, but their emotional support means a lot. There is little to no practical help available for me; we qualify for exactly zero because of my income. So I am full time at work, with overtime, which is put in during the morning hours, as I do not have a car any longer and bus service can be uncertain in the area I work in after 5 p.m. Once I get home in the evening, I am full time there also. The burden of the house and his care is solely mine. The house is a wreck now, as I am too tired to do much beyond the very basics, as in dishes, laundry and bathrooms. My sleep is often interrupted at night when he needs assistance, so I am chronically tired/exhausted. I know that I am either burned out or approaching it, but what can I do? Running away from home is not an option! So I live day to day and coffee is now my BFF.

Wish List: 
Someone to help out at home with practical things and someone to give me a day off now and then.