I dropped out of high school early to take care of my disabled parents, and now want an education...?

Question

I dropped out of high school at 16 to get a job and support my disabled parents, and now i'm still supporting them, 6 years later, and want something more out of my life except my current job when they pass away (it's not long, both are elderly, and quite disabled), but I don't want to leave them stranded, up a creak without a paddle. On thier current income, they can't survive, they get about $500 a month between the 2 of them, and it's very hard for them to get by. Not sure what to do, don't want to abandon them, but don't want to be left stranded either when they aren't around anymore.

Answer 1

Wow! Bravo for you! Your grandparents are very fortunate to have your care! And I am confident that you won't regret the time you've dedicated to them!

Yes, I think you are very wise to check out and then go after your GED. I am also thinking your grandparents would be happy that you are thinking along these lines. You may need some help to sort out how you might be able to juggle work, school and your caregiving responsibilities. For this reason, I highly recommend that you contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

Area Agencies on Aging are the first stop for information about resources that can help you and your grandparents. Since this is a national network, there is an Area Agency on Aging serving the county where you live. These organizations know how to listen to seniors and their family caregivers. Staff there can provide guidance and advice that may be of great help to you and your grandparents.You can call 1-800-677-1116 toll free to find out the phone number of your local Area Agency on Aging office. When you call your Area Agency office, ask for the person who provides "Help for Family Caregivers" and explain that you are caring for your grandparents and seeking ways to get your education. If you make this call, I am confident that you will find friendly and helpful people.

When you talk with the folks at the Area Agency on Aging you should defintely ask about in-home services that might be available to your grandparents and to you as a family caregiver. Ask about available in-home services that may be needed for your grandparents now or in the future. These services are for the seniors' benefit as well as for family caregivers like you.

Sometimes these types of in-home services are available on a "cost share" basis and the costs of services are based on the seniors' income or assets. Since your grandparents sound like they are low-income, if they have significant needs that puts them at risk of going to a nursing facility, you should ask the Area Agency on Aging folks if the state where you live has something called a "Medicaid waiver." If your state has a Medicaid program that covers individuals with disabilities and or frail elders, there may be Medicaid funding to pay toward in-home care. State governments are coming to realize the importance of having in-home services--with the involvement and support of family caregivers--as an option in the funding of services needed by frail older Americans.

Finding a attorney who specializes in public benefit or family law might also be advisable. Your grandparents, you and other family members will want to figure out arrangements for "powers of attorney" and have a "living will" in place --and throughly discussed -- before an emergency arises. Your Area Agency on Aging would have information about these matters and would know how to connect you with professionals who specialize in this. Usually the Area Agency has "boiler plate" versions of these types of documents to get conversations in this sensitive area started. If your grandparents are low-income, the Area Agency may know of legal services that can help deal with these kinds of legal matters.

If you call your Area Agency on Aging and like the help that you receive, let your county elected officials know and tell your members of Congress. Area Agencies don't have big budgets--in fact appropriations for most services funded under the Older Americans Act have not increased significantly in 25 years! You will not be charged for the information you receive, however, any financial contribution you might now (or in the future) make for the time and assistance devoted to your situation would be very welcomed--and would go toward helping more of your older friends and neighbors and their caregivers.

I hope this helps. Thanks for a great question and for caring! Blessings and Best wishes to you and your grandparents!

Answer 2

Starting with what Elizabeth said, go ahead and get your GED. You can take the entire test in one day and get the equivalent of a diploma. Then take college courses, either once or twice a week at night (maybe a friend or neighbor can help by watching them for you?), or take them online through a distance learning college.

If funding is a problem, you should be able to get a grant or scholarship.

A few sites to try are:
www.college-scholarships.com/
www.collegescholarships.com/
www.brokescholar.com/

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Wow...that's hard. I give you credit for taking care of your parents that way. I kinda know where you are coming from. I am 26 and my husband is a disabled American Veteran. He can not work due to his disability and I am supporting and caring for our family. It wears you out and I know I often think I can't keep doing this. Anyway, I would suggest that you start by taking some online classes to get your GED. Start there and when you have your GED reevaluate your situation.

Answer 4

Definitely get your GED. Also seek help from Social Services. Talk to one of the social workers. I know there are programs that our gov't has for folks like you. You are barely an adult and more than likely you are entitled to get help. Your High School should have helped you out before you left. You were under aged. Might try talking to the social worker there also! Check with someone about Elder care services also. Go to your local social services web site or directly to their offices. You might be able to get a grant to go back to school. Check out the community college closest to you. Set up an appointment with an adviser and tell them your story. There is help out their. You deserve it. You are a wonderful daughter to help your parents like this. Now get back on track.

Good luck to you! :)

Answer 5

1st of all get your GED. I think you can study for it online so you can do it from home while you are caring for your parents and you will be able to continue to work.

After you do that see if your job will pay for your schooling. Explain your situation and that if they can help you out with school you will be a better, more productive employee.

It is a very noble think to care for your ailing parents at such a young age. Your karma is going to be through the roof. You are still young, life is long.

Answer 6

First off, you need to get your G.E.D., or even better; a home study school to finish up high school to get your diploma. You'll need to contact your old high school to get a copy of your transcripts so the home study school knows how many credits you'll need to graduate.

Then, look into your local community college's trade school programs. You can take classes online to learn a trade, get an entry level job offering on the job training and go from there.....

good luck! You can do it...just make sure you do it right away....

Answer 7

get a GED, then enroll in classes at a community college to get the basic requirements for a college degree out of the way. eventually, you can transfer to a 4 yr college to get a bachelor's degree or pursue a cerificate program in the field of your choice.

if i might say, it's heartening to hear from someone who is clearly able to put the needs of others first. i am sure that things will work out for you.

Answer 8

Very admirable,Maybe they are eligible to go into a nursing home.Find out what is available through government agencies.Elderly people are tough.They maylive for a long time yet.

Answer 9

very nice of u i suggest maybe to take care of em since u already dropped get a better job or start low and get a good job evantually

Answer 10

Keep taken care of them. You will feel much better for it. Life is lot longer than you think.