I am trying to figure out how to live my life while taking care of my 85 yr old Grandmother. She lives in a trailer about 100 Yards from my front door. She doesn't drive. It feels like the never ending assignment and I am depressed to think I still have my parents and in-laws yet to come. How do I get to have a life?
I am the only grandchild caregiver and never hear from any on here. All my friends have careers and take vacations. I get so jealous.
I have family, including her son, my Dad. He has left her care to me and only visits when he can't avoid it. He says "I'm just not a caregiver..." AWWW.... I'm so angry at the lack of care from him, my brother and my cousins. No one comes to visit. They rarely call and they never ask what they could do for me or her. She has full capabilities and complains to me that they never come to see her. Sorry for the rant, just really burned out, frustrated, angry and jealous. I don't see any hope on the horizon.
Both of you may want to read this article on grandchildren prompted by a couple of heart breaking notes that I received from young caregivers and also some on the agingcare forum.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/grandchildren-caring-for-their-grandparents-149490.htm
To grandaughters - your husband should be doing his share of this work. Certainly the rest of the family should be too, but insist on help. Moving an elder into your home is a huge step. Doing so at a presumably young age has got to be harder.
To both of you - you aren't alone. Please keep coming back to the site and posting your thoughts. There is a lot of knowledge in this community. Also, if your grandmothers have any specific ailments such as diabetes or Alzheimer's look to those disease specific sites for education and help.
Keep us posted!
Carol
I hope that you can find some form of respite,
Carol