I need some advice. My mom has Parkinson’s and my dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with liver failure due to untreated hepatitis C. Dad has been taking care of mom up until this point. She is stage 3, doesn’t drive, and has worsening cognitive issues. I don’t know yet what his life expectancy is, but I’m guessing it’s limited. I can see needing outside help with cleaning, cooking, etc being the first thing we need to address. Eventually one or both may need assisted living.
I am an only child in my 30s and have four young kids. One is profoundly disabled and requires full care. How in the world do I add in being a caregiver to my parents? How do I manage taking them to dozens of appointments with their doctors, lab tests, and medical procedures each year? I’m at a total loss.
My point is that you need to make it clear that you love them and that you are so sorry for what they are going through, but that you cannot be the caregiver. Trying to do this would break you and do them very little good thereby.
Placement is almost a certainty. Stop now with making this YOUR problem. It is (sadly) their problem so that your question now for your Dad is "What are your plans?" And YOU cannot be the answer as in "YOU are the plan". You are going to have to toughen up to protect yourself AND them. They now need care. You cannot do it, and it is not your responsibility to do it.
I am so sorry for this dire diagnosis. This is a tragedy. But it is not something you are able to nor qualified to "fix".
Not everyone has children who will care for them.
Some people don’t have a spouse or partner in their lives. They are completely on their own, yet they manage to receive care for their needs.
Considering that both of them need a lot of care, I don't think that even moving a live-in caregiver with them will be enough. Taking on both of their needs is too much for one person, even a professional.
Now is the time for serious plans to be made. Like your parents being moved into AL and an private aide hired to handle doctor's appoitments and lab tests.
AL is probably the best bet for them.
You won’t have the time or energy to manage all their illnesses plus the people you hire to come to their house. At assisted living you immediately get help with everything. It takes much of it off your shoulders.
You must make it clear to your parents that it’s the only way.
A needs assessment or appointment with a social worker may uncover your folks needs, their wishes & start the ball rolling towards a care plan. Care services to their home may be possible & enough now or for a time. If not enough, assisted living may be needed sooner rather than later.
My suggestion would be to place both of them. Where my mother and step-mother are, the doctor comes in weekly, for other appointments they are taken back & forth at a nominal charge,
There will someone with them 24/7, do something before it becomes an emergency situation.
Sending support your way.
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