Have you ever been a caretaker to an invalid relative???

Question

I have...we all have our stories.......what is yours????

Answer 1

Yes. I did the Hospice care for my Dad.
Very hard; very sad.

Answer 2

Yup. My dad's father...

Grandma died 2 or 3 years ago, and Grandpa started slipping gears, so my husband and I stayed in the area. He worked, while I kept tabs on Grandpa.

I cooked meals and managed his nutrition. His chosen diet was by no means balanced, so when I prepared meals, I tried to compensate.

I accompanied him to doctors' appointments and took notes so he could remember what was said, what changes were made. I documented medication changes, dosage changes, helped him keep track of meds, etc.

At one point, he got a fungal infection in his toenails, fingernails. I helped him medicate and care for his feet, because he couldn't reach them.

I cleaned his home. When Grandma's health declined enough that she couldn't do it anymore, I started helping out... just kept doing it after Grandma died.

I feel I got burned out pretty fast-- it was only about 8-10 months. Grandpa didn't seem to understand the concept of a timecard, that if my husband didn't go to work- on time, consistently, we didn't eat. He'd never had to have a job that was that way. He'd owned a dairy farm, sure, the cows had to be milked, but between the morning milking and the evening milking, his time was his own, he was the boss. He'd ask my husband to help him with something, and if Hubby didn't get to it within 24 hours, Grandpa would get upset, and tell neighbors that my husband was irresponsible... not a happy situation.

Once my uncle and I and others in the area worked up a plan to continue to meet Grandpa's needs, my husband and I moved.

Answer 3

Yes, when my sister-in-law broke her hip, I would fix her meals, give her a bath, basically what ever she needed done, until her hubby came home from work
Now, I help my mother-in-law, with her Dr. appointments, medications, and making sure she eats healthy meals.

Answer 4

Yes I have, long story. My cousin died of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) It was hard to see him and look after him in the last 6 months of his life.

Answer 5

i moved to IL to Ive with my grandmother and help her take care of my great grand mother. it was bad she was going down hill kinda fast. but she's still here. shes now In a nursing home though and I'm back home in Cali.

Answer 6

I helped take care of my dying father-in-law,moved him into our home,into our bedroom,until he took his last breath. He called me his angel. I also helped take care of my invalid mother-in-law,but she was an evil,nasty,ungrateful b itch 'til the day she croaked!

Answer 7

I take care of a sicky kitty. Fluids and pills. Not the same thing.

But I don't envy you.

Answer 8

invalid? no, I dont have invalid family members but I do have a bed stricken fam member*

Answer 9

2 at one time--my mother-in-law and her mother. I'd tell you my story but why make anyone cry?

Answer 10

Actually no but I have been on the opposite side and know it can be extremely hard.......