pollytnjc

Member since August 05, 2009
6 Comments, 4 Hugs & Prayers Received, 6 Hugs & Prayers Sent, 8 Answers, 2 Discussions Started, 17 Replies

Bio

Hi - I am 55 year old female, working fulltime in private industry, divorced, well-educated, and hoping that someday I can retire. Right now, I have a daughter in high school (senior) and a son with a lovely family of his own. My 88 year old mother is now living with me since early summer, and she is moderate alzheimers. I moved her with me because the retirement center she was in was 8 hours away, I kept getting phone calls from them that she was unsafe in the independent living arrangement, and I did not feel she was ready for assisted living. I am beginning to think differently! But I am happy to have her with me, although it is challenging! I have had to see my doctor for medication for myself, as I was beginning to have issues in being able to concentrate at work or focus on anything. I hate that, but it was becoming obvious that I was struggling - not only to myself, but to my boss. So here I am - medicated (doing better!) and without much privacy or life of my own. I don't really mind, but it is much more confining than I anticipated, and the mental stress of planning and anticipating how to handle her moods and daily life issues were definitely more than I expected. My greatest joy in life (aside from kids and grandkids) is travel - because of my mother living with me now, travel is almost non-existent except what I have to do for work - and even seeing the grandkids 4 hours away is harder. So I am beginning to understand the true sacrifice that those of us who care for elderly family members must make. I appreciate having this venue to gain insight and "talk thru" our unique issues.

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