@RachelC961851 wrote:
I just came across this site and am so glad I found your post! I’m a 41 year old only child (also happen to be an RN) who moved back home after 23 years away living my life to become my mom’s full time care giver. I moved back and basically gave up my entire life on 9.29.17. You only get one mom though and I love mine dearly! I am definitely starting to see that some things need to change (I’ve just come across the terms caregiver stress and caregiver exhaustion-actually was diagnosed with those during a recent unexpected ER visit!) and I’m just now starting to look around for what support groups and other resources are around for people who do what we do.
Thank you again!
Welcome, welcome a very warm welcome, Rachel!! Yup, you only get one mom. I am so glad you found us. I'm a social worker and 'behavioral health clinician' working in a primary care setting in a 'so rural we're called frontier' area of south east Oregon. My partner has MS but is still very independent and healthy. I've been a caregiver to my grandmother, and both parents. Learning how to be a gracious caregiver without burning out and hurting oneself is one of the great life lessons, and you're in the front row at the moment, aren't you.
Since you mentioned that you've been experiencing, and naming, caregiver stress, perhaps you can broaden the resources you and your mom are using. If you put in your zip code at www.eldercare.gov, you'll find a local area agency on aging, a taxpayer supported program, and you can call and maybe go meet with someone to find out what's available to the two of you. Depends on what she needs, and what your income is. But there are services that might be just the thing you need to have a bit of respite.
There are also in-person support groups that will help you get tips and share them with people experiencing similar adventures. Google is helpful: type in your county or town, 'caregiver support group' and see what pops up.
The AARP web site has amazing resources, seriously, so go exploring here, too. And please write back. So glad you found us.
Jane