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Blogs by Sherri Smith
Full Time Caregiver Status 10/29/2014 10:15:40 AM
What is it like to be a full time caregiver? My wonderful mother in law is 92 years old. Because she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis she is very frail and weak. She came home to stay with her son and I until she gets stronger and can once again live alone.
She misses her home and her friends. It isn't the same up here for her, and it isn't the same for us either. There has been some adjustments from both sides. I am happy to have her here, it's easier knowing that we are watching out for her so she can hopefully recover. Her home is about four hours away and it's really hard to keep up to date on what is going on with her. Depending on friends and neighbors is difficult, especially when they all have a different idea of what is best for her!
She has had a bit of a time adjusting to the changes. She has to leave her room and cross the hall to the bathroom, she has to wait till we are both up in the morning to shower in our bedroom and she normally doesn't eat on the same time schedule as we do.
WE are making do though. Brother in law will take her home next week for a few days to visit her doctor and see friends and then she will be back. I know things are different here. She has a lot of drop in company and we have very little. People aren't calling her as much, she said it's like being out of sight out of mind. I can relate to that.
She is thrilled to see her granddaughter and her 4 great grandkids. They have popped in several times already. It's only been a week and a half but to both of us it seems like a much longer time. We do not share the same taste in television programs so many of our shows are put on the DVR and we watch past episodes after she goes to bed. The upside is, she can also watch rodeos and bull riding on the channels that we get! And her cell phone coverage is great here, not so much where she lives. She is is a valley surrounded by Ozark Mountains.
We were told there is no reason she can't heal, begin to eat better and drink more water and get stronger. She would then be able to go back to her home and live alone. It is truly what she wants. I want that for her too!
I'm not cut out to be a nurse but I am hanging in there and doing what is necessary to keep her comfortable and happy!
