@suzandpej wrote:
I am 75 years old and have taken care of my son,Pat, for 42 years. He is in a wheelchair, has Cerebral Palsy. Pat's I.Q. is above 130, but he is trapped in a body that doesn't work. His arms and legs fly around. His speech is difficult to understand. Last year his Dad died, and now I am doing all the caregiving myself. I would love to find a respite day now and then. I have major back problems, fibromyalgia and arthritis. (Not complaining, just stating). I do not have a lift on my car ($$$$) so I cannot take him with me to the grocery store, etc. Working on saving in order to get a lift, so he (and I) can have more of a life. God bless all the caregivers out there!
Now that your husband is gone, you do have a lot of care to provide, and it sounds like you are not in perfect health either (who is, not me.) Have you looked into help? here's a definition of what ADRC's do:
Aging & Disability Resource Centers
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) serve as single points of entry into the long-term services and supports (LTSS) system for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, veterans and families. Some states refer to ADRCs as “access points” or “no wrong door” systems.
The vision behind Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) is to establish, in every community, highly visible and trusted sources of information where people of all incomes and ages can turn for the full range of long-term support options and smooth access to public long-term support programs and benefits.
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You can find which ADRC could help you by entering your zip code into www.eldercare.gov and call them. There might be help for him, or for you, or both. I would imagine you are also wondering what will happen to him when you are gone. Planning for this is complicated, as you know better than anyone. Someone at the agency you find should be able to direct you.
Your son, being smart, must be a source of companionship for you. Is there a local Cerebral Palsy Chapter near you? I looked up the foundation website at http://yourcpf.org/. Other people in the same boat?
Forgive me if all of this is old news. I'm hoping you and your son can be a happy team. I also know it isn't going to be easy, and i hope you can find, or already have, the support you need.
Write more?
Jane