My name is Rose. I am 50 and am caring for my 76 year old mother who has end stage pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. She is on 6 litres of O2 24/7 and doesn't do much besides go from the bed to the chair. Both my husband and I work full time and we have a 15 year old daughter. My parents live in an apt that was added to our house specifically so we could care for them in our home. The hardest part is having to leave for work every day. Finances are tight and I have to work so we have VNA services to give her baths and a private pay nurse who comes 3x a week but the isolation is so hard for them both. I would have it no other way but nonetheless it is very hard on us all and draining. Caregiving has become our lives...there isn't much room for anything else.
Rose
Name:
Rose Ryan
Location:
Hadley
Caregiver Relationship:
Parent
Living Arrangements:
Share Home
Primary Illness:
Pulmonary Disease
Wish List:
1. I think it would be easier if we could afford more help.
2. I think the government should pay caregivers to stay home. In this day and age, who can afford to stay home without compensation. The cost of residential care if someone doesn't fall under medicaid is outrageous.
3. I wish I had a river I could sail away on.