My father was a marine he died in 97, my mom is 87 and refuses to go to assisted living. I live with her, she has dementia and I take care of her. She falls a lot so I cannot move out. I lost my job in November from missing time because she was hospitalized twice in 1 month. Is there help for me as a caregiver?
This is a great question. Many people have it. You are not alone. First I would like to commend you on your deep commitment to care for your Mom. That's wonderful.
Regarding payment for caring for your mother I recommend considering a few courses of action:
#1 - Use Retirement Funds - speak with your Mom and your family about allocating some of your mother's retirements to pay you for your work as a caregiver. Share with the lost income you have due to caring for your Mom.
#2 Pool Family Resources - If your mother doesn't have the funds available consider pooling family assets (from siblings, aunts, uncles) to pay you for providing care.
#3 Increase Your Inheritance - If funds are not available to compensate you for your work as her caregiver speak with the family about potentially reallocating inheritance funds to compensate you for this time.
You deserve to get paid. Taking up this conversations with your family is being an advocate for yourself and your own family. You can do it!
If you want further strategies on how to get pad as a caregiver I speak further about them on my blog in detail with specific tools and conversations scripts. Best of luck to you!
1. 4 Common Strategies - http://bit.ly/1yLx7Kl
2. 4 Alternative Strategies - http://bit.ly/1ttPMtq
My gosh, take care of yourself. I don't think that you are enjoying your life. At some point you have to throw in the towel.
Are you your mother's durable and medical POA? Are you an only child or do you have any siblings? Did you know that 1/3 of caregivers die before the person they are caregiving for does?
How well off financially is your mother? Can she afford to have extra caregivers hired to help take care of her at home?
My dad is 89 and has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and has three caregivers a day for 24/7, but he has long term care insurance which helps with the cost.
At some point as your mom's dementia worsens, you will need help in taking care of her. Do you have a plan for when and if that day comes?
How are you financially and health wise? Can you afford to not be working and not have any health insurance, etc. Remember to take care of yourself.
Good luck and keep in touch.