Gail

I've been a caregiver for more than twenty years for four adults relatives, in various degrees. I am now 54, female and live in the family home with my 92 year old father, Abner. I've taken care of my Great Aunt Willie, until she passed away at age 91. Checked in on another Great Aunt, until another relative took over. Then my mother, who was made totally dependent by several strokes and had to go into a nursing home. Along with other family members, we visited each day for 11.5 years. She died in 1998 at age 77. Now it's just my father and me. He has COPD, dementia, a pacemaker, arthritis and is completely dependent for his care. I am able to keep him home with the help of four women during the day while I work. He can't be left alone for more than 30 minutes. he is susceptible to falls. Unless I arrange coverage with my brother, who lives about four mile away, I am usually home with him evening and wekends. I call my caregiving being honored bound. For my father, he deserves every second of my sacrifice. He was a wonderful, caring, hard-working and loving father. He gave his best to his family. This service is the least I can do. My only frustration is that the responsibility is mostly on me. My brother who lives nearby has a family. But my sister, who lives alone in Maryland could have come back home when her husband died. She seems more inclined to travel, and freely do what she wants. My other brother lives in North Carolina and is a single father. There definitely needs to be more community/societal supports for caregivers.