One Family’s Solution for Caregiving
September 2, 2007 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Caring for a parent or spouse stricken with Alzheimer’s, a stroke, or some other medical condition presents a challenge for family members. Sometimes this is solved agreeably with everyone contributing their share. In other cases, there is great deal of controversy, often with one family member providing most of the care.
At the San Luis Obispo County website, we learn about Martha and Catherine Talavera, Siblings Take on the Challenge of Caring for Their Ailing Mother. When their mother, Frances, experienced several strokes and needed full time care, the sisters responded by changing their lives and all three living in Catherine’s home. Martha gave up her job while Catherine works full time from her home office.
You can read more about their story, why they decided to change their lives and where they’re finding support and encouragement. Each family’s situation is different, but perhaps you can glean some insight by reading about Martha, Catherine and Frances’ story.
It really brings tears to my eyes when I hear of such situations. Loved ones (family or friends) changing their lifestyles to help one another is a beautiful thing.
I would like to think my sister and I would/will do the same for either of my parents. I throw “will” in there because both my maternal grandmother and great-grandmother had Alzheimer’s, so we brace ourselves for the possibility that my mother (and/or her sister) will develop it.
Both my parents have/have had parents in nursing homes, and both have told my sister and me that if they ever get to that point, they want us to put them in nursing homes, too. Thus far I’ve said no, even though I know how beneficial good ones are to the elder and the family from previous experience.
It’s a tough call.