Requests, Questions, Enhancement Ideas?

I just wanted to say I wish this website was here when I went through this with my mother and father. My ordeal started in October of 2000when my dad had deteriorated so fast from untreated diabetes he had to go to a home, and from there it was 5 years of a living Hell. I never thought I would get through all the legal rangling, money issues, overbearing siblings as well as ones who didnt give a damn. I am the youngest of 8,  and I was the one stuck holding the bag while the rest looked on. My mother was also no pillar of health, but I kept her with me beacuse my father was the combative one. My mother was relieved he was gone, because he was  particularly abusive to her, which I had no knowledge of until I promised her he wouldnt be back. My father never forgave us for' turning on him ', as he put it (I was his favorite) and tried with his last breath to make sure my mother and I knew that he hated us both. I felt a duty to protect my mother, and we became very close, but my Lord, it was SO hard. There were so many days that if I didnt have her to give me a reason to get me out of bed, I might never have. She died only 2 weeks after my father did, but she outlived him, which is something she wanted. I miss her so much, I still cry on a weekly basis. But, ironically, if I had to do it again, I wouldnt have changed anything as far as my mom goes. It was really hard to watch her die in my arms, but she was home, with me , right where she wished to be, and I wouldnt have done it any other way. I suppose I havent come to grips with my father; I am still angry at him for so much . Maybe I can forgive him....someday. I always felt alone in my crisis and sorrow...now I know I was.... and am.. not. Thanks for being here. Sincerely, Susan Noble

Last week I shared my mom concerns and today am finding it quite difficult to find the subject that I even posted it under.  . . . . I would like to see if there's any feedback, but again have searched and searched and nothing seems consistent in locating what I'm needing...... at one point last week after I had shared my thoughts, I was able to find, after quite a search on my part, it listed under my activities, but I can't even find that tab this morning.  I notice not a lot of responses/replies and some long elapsed time with few responses on the subject matters....... any way to improve the 'user friendly' use of the site in order to keep interest stirred up on a more frequent basis??

Is there something on the local tab where people can post what businesses are handicap friendly and which intersections to avoid trying to cross?

I had your problem too. You should start by rewording the subject line. As long as there is frequent activty on a topic it will stay on or near the top of the list. When I entered my first post it was too long and my subject line wasn't eye catching. There were only a few reads and one response.

1. Keep your post short.
2. Make the subject line eye catching.
3. ASK others for their views and to SHARE their experiences.

You'll be surprised how the responses come rolling in. People are anxious to share and want to help. If you ASK them for their views, opinions or experiences they are often eager to help.

I would like to suggest maybe a section for those trying to balance caregiving with an outside job, or caregiving and taking care of your own family as well? Balancing work and caregiving is one of my biggest issues and I am always looking for advice, suggestions, etc on that topic. Or to just have a place to vent about it with others who understand.

Thanks :)

First - thank you for this site.

Is it possible to maintain the original post at the top, then list the responses most current, or possibly a tree fashion where additions to main topicone first branch with replies to individual responses under those.

Thanks for being here!

A few things that might be looked at:

I'm new to writing anything although I've looked at Caring.com for a long time. In fact, I gave you feedback on the saying "you're here for....." For the first time I wrote something on a forum, and although I can see a few people have read it, there are no reply--that hurts as much as not looking for support. (I saw you had another posting about this before.

Do Caring.com folks follow the forums? Perhaps if there aren't any replies, you could drop a note of encouragement or whatever for that posting. Or, sendthat person an e-mail on how to express themselves so maybe they will get support. I thought the forums were so people could help each other, but it seems some people are looking for help and not getting it.

I know (and see) that people really identify with a few posts and they get MANY replies--can Caring.com help so the rest of us don't feel so isolated and without support?

Another idea; from my limited exposure to the forums, I see an overwhelming amount of misery and folks identifying with the problems of caretaking (I've been a caretaker for my now-deceased Dad, and now for my Mom, so I understand). And there are some really good suggestions here!

But perhaps the caregivers could share between each other on a forum that is a little more positive? Perhaps instead of folks commiserating with their own stories, if someone needed suggestions, they could ask and get feedback of what works on the forum level too (instead of articles that address issues they are not concerned with at that point). I know Caring.com must have sites for this, and there are answers by experts, but sometimes it seems to be so difficult to know where to go on your site since it's so jam-packed with options, etc.

I can understand most of what folks say--I've experienced it myself! And I've had a lifetime of depression and anxiety and anger and health problems because of my situation. Sometimes though, just clear, more positive information by others that know it worked, might be good.

Hello Youngestsib, Thank you very much for taking the time to post this feedback. We always value comments and suggestions from our members. Caring.com is always looking to improve our offering, and feedback like this is very helpful!

Thanks again!

Take care, Emily | Community Manager