I am 51 years old, and recently had to leave my job to care for my mother who suffered a stroke and needs 24/7 care. I couldn't even consider placing her in a nursing home, since my husband and I have had his mom living with us for nearly five years. My mother-in-law is 88 and has CHF, a pacemaker, moderate to severe dementia. My mom has tremendous incontinence, is a major fall risk, has aphasia from the stroke, and moderate dementia. I love teaching and miss it very much. I am worried about how future employers will view my leave of absence. Thankfully I send both ladies to a medical adult daycare which is wonderful. I am also looking into getting the home care company back in when I hopefully return to work. I have had clinical depression for over 17 years and take medication, along with seeing a therapist. I battle feeling sad often. I really would love to get involved in an active, supportive, inspirational, and helpful caregiver's support group. I attended one offered at the medical adult daycare but it just didn't suit my needs. Most caregivers there were caring for their spouses, not their parents. Is there anyone out there with a similar situation that can refer me to a really good support group.
Support groups are necessary. Unfortunately your answer doesn't help me.
https://www.agingcare.com/local/Area-Agency-on-Aging
Sometimes it is hard to find a Caregiver support group because caregivers just don't have free time to attend :(
I noticed you said you wouldn't put your mother and/or your mother-in-law into a nursing home. You might change you mind after reading this as your Mom and our mother-in-law could live another 5-10 years..... Here are some things to think about if one is trying to decide whether to quit work to care for an aging parent.... on average if a working person quits work he/she will lose, over the years, between $285,000 and $325,000 which includes loss of salary, plus net worth loss of the health insurance, loss of money being put into social security/ Medicare, loss of other benefits such as matching 401(k), profit sharing, etc. [source: Reuters 5/30/12]
You can still be a Caregiver for a love one even if they are not under the same roof as you, and still be able to work to add to your own retirement fund.