Hi Catherine, I am 61 years old & a full time custodian at a school. I am also a full time caregiver to my spouse of 35 years. He is the love of my life and 64 years old, who came down with Relapsing/Remitting MS 15 years ago. I am finding it extremely difficult to carry on life the way it is, so I have decided to retire from my employment next year to care for my husband full time. I wish I could get paid for my caregiving, yes, I realize my husband could pay me out of his disability check, but that would be defeat the purpose of getting paid & maintaining our bills. Spousal caregivers work very hard at trying to maintain every aspect of the home, property, relationship, bills, & self sanity. Also, depending on where you live, depends on the services that are available. There needs to be a better way to care for those who can't take care of themselves & still carry on. We've worked all our lives & looked forward to our retiring days & MS has just kicked us to the ground. Life is hard enough.
Helena Smith-Franke
Springdale, WA 99173
hsfwildtrax@gmail.com