Caregiving

And the baby girl three older brothers two of them died last year I have one left and I'm the baby girl he had a stroke we almost lost him I didn't get to see my other two brothers before they died, okay I dyed myself three times in the last four years when was brought back God has a purpose for me 68 years old I live in Nevada. I also just a month ago lost my daughter's father he was found dead in the middle of the crosswalk. Of course my mom my dad my husband made 2016 he met all night so I lost him five years before I lost him.Sometimes I pray at night but God to take me but I live in that independent home with eight others.Last year I lost my doggie, Ginger. She was 13 years old deaf and blind and I was sick and would she of course just absorbed my pain. We adopted her for my husband for when I would go to do my volunteer work. I moved up to Ely Nevada for 2 years, and got her a kitten pure black his name is pepper, and he was her seeing eye 🐈 I can't have pets too so a friend of

Hello,Is there a central Arkansas grief group? I saw a Community in North Arkansas but that's too far. Any info will be helpful. Thx.

How did you find a social life after your world was turned upside down by the loss of your spouse?  Everything is so different NOW!

I lost my husband August 1 of this year (2025). We were married 37 years almost 38 when he had a massive stroke and passed away about 42 hours later. It’s hard to understand how a person can be so healthy and full of life one day and gone the next with no sign, no warning.  It’s just unfathomable.  he just had his 64th birthday, and was laughing making everybody else giggle at his comment, next year I get to go file for Social Security. A week later he was gone. I don’t know what doing. I’m tired of putting on a brave face. I feel like I’m masquerading in somebody else’s body, wondering when I’m going to return to normal, if there is such a thing. This year has been tough, I’ve lost the love of my life, and three jobs which filled some voids where he is missing. I’m just wondering if there’s anybody else out there that’s like me who has some words of wisdom that they can share?

How do you deal with the grief and the process of disposing of my parent's furniture and other possessions from their apartment?

Anyone else has "thoughts" on this topic?

My family is struggling to find short-term respite care for a loved one, and it’s been emotionally exhausting. We want care that’s safe, kind, and trustworthy, but it’s hard to know where to turn or what to look for. I’d really appreciate your suggestions or advice

Hi, I've been caring for my dad since my mom passed 3 years ago. I've come to the emotional and difficult decision that I need to put some things in place for us. Live in Chicago and looking for a lawyer to handle securing finances, medical and financial POAs, as well as advice for dealing with getting him set up in the future for applying for Medicaid.

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one (or a job, home, lifestyle, friend, ability...there are so many types of losses). This year, with the pandemic, grief is even more complex, and we are all likely grieving the loss of some of our treasured holiday traditions this year.  Regardless of the type of loss you are experiencing, grief is unique to everyone. There is no one right way to grieve. We all just need to do what feels right to us and try to have healthy outlets (like expressing yourself in this Online Community).  I originally wrote this column in 2012 after my niece died from suicide just after New Year's. That Christmas of 2012 was incredibly difficult for all of us. But I learned a lot. This year I've updated the column to reflect our current pandemic situation.  I hope some of my tips will help carry you through this season. Please share what you've learned in the comments below! Sending you peace and comfort this holiday season and throughout the year. 

Three adult stepchildren were pushing for burial of their father's ashes last winter.  I was dealing with taxes, estate, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork!  So I gave oldest stepdaughter the ashes, deed to the cremation garden plot I had bought, and plans for memorial stone, a work in progress, information about her father's military service and paperwork that I had already done on that.  I had informed all three of  progress as the process unfolded. A couple of weeks ago I received an email, "Good News, Dad's ashes will be buried next Thursday but not in the plot you bought.  We chose a different plot.  Hope you can come." I did go, and right, not the plot I had chosen which was for both of us.  This plot is only for one, and the plaque is the basic military plaque, with only his name, branch of service and DOB, DOD.  Married 44 years. Primary caregiver for last 2 years.

My wife has dementia and I cannot depend on her to dial 911 or speed dial someone to come and help me. I want to learn which item to get. An apple watch? I need it to notice that I'm in distress and call for help.  

Hello, I am kind of overwhelmed.  For my mother, I am looking at medical alert devices and cannot decide on the best one (wrist watch).  I am leaning towards Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian. Does anyone have any experiences with either company? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Don

My wife of 50 years has an altered mental state due to sepsis.  She's in the hospital now but demanding to return home instead of a skilled nursing facility.  She hallucinates and is quite angry with me for not jus taking her home.  Since her hospitalization, she cannot walk or even stand up.  Of course, I'm not angry with her..I love her...but I'm devastated that she cannot return to the life we had before sepsis.  I sit here sobbing.

10 years ago my mom had a heart attack and I started taking care of her. It's been an up and down path.  6 years ago we moved where we're at now hoping to be closer to family.  4 years ago her kidneys start to fail.  She had to start doing dialysis. On June 8th 2025 you passed away.  For the last 6 years I haven't worked I've just been taking care of her.  Now I have nothing except our cats.  I'm going to end up homeless losing everything.  By dealing with my own mental health I'm 50 years old.  I got three older brothers but they've never helped now that she's gone they just ignoring me.  I feel so lost. She wasn't just my mom she was my best friend.   She leaned on me and I leaned on her.  now I don't know how to go forward.   

No messages to me.  I know I don't come here regularly, but I'd appreciate a hello from someone.

▶️To reply, click on reply button at bottom of this post. Enter your text. Click reply button again.◀️   WE cry, rejoice, talk, share!   Whatever YOU need, WE are here for YOU.   ***YOU are a very SPECIAL person and WE want to hear from YOU***   Grief & Loss Team 🤗

My husband of 45 years died after just a 3 week hospital stay of AML.  He had been healthy our entire married life except for the summer before when he contracted Lyme's disease.  Maybe that disguised his fatigue he must have been feeling shortly before we went to the hospital for shortness of breath.  Anyway, he and I never thought he wouldn't be returning home from that hospital stay.  So lots of tears, lonely days and nights and all the rest.  Unbelievably, two of my three adult children are getting married in 2026. We are all over the place with happy and sad emotions - my daughter won't have her Dad to walk her down the aisle.  I'll be by myself thru all the social events that are part of each wedding instead of having my husband by my side. I just changed my primary AARP membership from his name to mine which led me here. My faith tells me I'll see him again but its a hard road to travel as a widow.  

Hi everyone, I’m trying to find dependable adult home care for my uncle in Washington, but I’m honestly not sure where to begin. He needs some help with daily activities at home, and I want to make sure he’s getting the right support. I’ve been searching online but the options are a bit overwhelming, so I’d really appreciate any suggestions or guidance from people who have gone through this before. Thanks in advance.. -Mary

Husband, Jim, died in July.  He was here at home and was able to be at home until his death.  I was the sole caregiver and was the one who provided meds and care.  Right now I'm having memories of his dying time, which was two days of difficult breathing, heart rate changes, and deepening coma.  He did not have any pain, but his dying time was not peaceful.  He was not in pain, but I was.   And while I can talk about him and our time together, 45 years, I really need to talk about his dying time, and the time after his death, when I wrote the obituary, made cremation arrangements and drove myself to pick up the ashes.  There is no one who wants to hear that story.  And I need someone to hear, and I need to tell it. He did have 3 adult children, but they "wanted to give me  space" and did not contact me.   I feel like I am just going down that spiral, and not sure what will happen.

I am looking for services and tips to support reorganizing a home to support aging in place (Ex. Kitchen cabinets, closets, laundry room).

The holidays are over! (Phew!) It's winter time. Hopefully the routine is re-established and there's a bit of calm in the air. Now's a time when you can plan a break for yourself as a caregiver. Plan ahead for, say, March or April. A break that's more than a weekend if possible. Here are some ideas on how to do it, starting now so that you have the pleasure of anticipation, and also enough time to think of all that's needed for true respite.   Things to think about:  * Where do you want to go?  A four day trip to see a favorite cousin? A flight to see your favorite niece and nephew? How much time? Will you stay with them or rent an Air BnB? This is partly about budgeting, and partly about how much time. Allow a day before and after to pack/unpack, etc.  * What do you need to 'replace you' for the time you're gone?   For that last one, which is huge: Make a list of all that you do, the schedule for when you are away, the tasks, the back up plan. Who in your fami

Any tips for caregiver of a newly Blind adult?

Just thought I would share this - CBS Local News: 12/18/2025 - Downtown wind phone helps grieving Atlantans connect with lost loved ones  The 3 minute CBS local news video is on the right side of the news page.Touching.  

Help I need an elder law attorney in Chicago. I have power of attorney over my mom and her facility is denying me access to her.

My 97 year old Dad doesn’t accept he can no longer do things he has done in the past such as using power tools. He is all about himself. He has a huge ego. He becomes angry and bossy. He becomes mean to his daughter..the one who does many things for him. More so when he has his nightly cocktail. He seems to forget and stretch stories. He had been very sharp up to a year ago when he lost his companion.