I was asked this.
Sadly I have done nothing I guess, not enough politically, yet...
I am one of two 24/7 caregivers for my aging mom. She will be 95 in less than two weeks. I moved here a year after losing my job due to age and never able to seek part time work with mom as my soul job. She hasn't stepped out of the house in two years. I have had 5 full days off in 3 plus years. We take turns with the baby monitor at night, that is the night you get no sleep. I get her up, make the bed and empty the commode. Cook breakfast before I have a sip of coffee and her nap and lunch Then nap and shower then nap.
She is cognitively aware and politically correct but attached to a 25 foot oxygen tank and very unsteady on her feet. I have learned to hook up the spare tanks when the power goes out because frankly she will die without it. I think I have accomplished a lot and we have kept her safe during a pandemic.
Politically? I have made sure my Democratic mother had her mail in ballots. I hand delivered them all. She use to work the during the elections at her precinct as a volunteer.
So no, I really haven't done that much other than making her vote count.
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It's a very hard job, physically and mentally, and you have kept yourself going for years. You get nothing but praise from me.
not only for those that need the care, but for those giving the care - and all of those that know either........
TY
...the world would be a better place.
But you are a wonderful daughter.
It's a 24/7 job unless you're lucky enough to have respites from other family members. It is physically difficult and emotionally draining. You're never certain you're doing the right thing, the right way although your try your damnedest. Some days you just want to sit down and cry. Some days that's exactly what you do. Then you dry the tears and do it all over again.
Anyone downplaying the importance of such a labor of love and exhausting responsibility is: Not. Worth. Talking. To.
I'm sending hugs from Tennessee, sheshe.
You're accomplishing more than most. Believe it! You've earned high-fives for life.
Or know someone that has.
Your insights are 100% spot on.
Everything you said. Thanks
with people who love her and she loves.
She gets to be with you two instead of strangers who would care for her without the love with which you care for her.
AND you helped her do something important to her and to the nation, to vote to kick that bum out of the People's House.
Caregiving is such a tough job and not everyone has the spiritual and physical resources and the LOVE to do what you are doing!
will check it out. 
My mother died at 62 of ovarian cancer. Seeing her waste away was just awful.
I am so sorry.
I had been laid off when our help desk was outsourced to Canada. I looked for a job for 4 months until I gave up... my Mom had caregivers come in twice a day while I was working, but no positions paid enough for me to afford that any more. So it was just me taking care of her 24/7. It is so difficult not to ever get a break. No matter how good a job I did taking care of her, it was emotionally taxing and exhausting. When she caught pneumonia, which eventually took her life, it took years for me to forgive myself... what did I do, or didn't do, to cause that to happen? Nothing, but it still didn't leave my head for a very long time. And the guilt of feeling tired and needing a break... There is no question that I went through PTSD for months. I decided to learn how to write a screenplay, and finished it dedicating every moment to her... the only thing that kept me sane during those months. I finally found a job 3 months after losing her, and I've thought... she helped me find that job. It didn't pay enough - household income had dropped from $85,000 (me working, Mom's pension) to $24,000 - with a mortgage. But I got through it and met two people who are still dear friends, even though we've all moved on from that job. It's been many years, now, but I still feel that guilt when I'm stressed out, and I think of her and talk to her every day for solace. 
But what you're going through... bless you and may you stay strong; you are doing what your heart needs to, for your love for her, and it is the most important thing right now. What have you done? Not even a question. You are an angel of strength.
You alone, I can't or perhaps can imagine what you went through.
This is our retirement years. I am late 60's and my sister just turned 70.
None of that was your fault. Never your fault, you did all you could have done to protect her.
No one can completely understand the emotional responsibility and the endless exhaustion. We worry that we may eff up and she falls and we were not able to catch her, that she may die on my watch because I nodded off for a time.
That we did this during COVID and had to let all the hospice caretakers go was to say the least difficult. Mom only got vaxed a few months ago. Not a priority as she is housebound.
You did good for your mom.
Love and hugs to you and yours, Chili.
... I needed to read that today in the worst way.
Oh and yes, how difficult with the pandemic going on. Great admiration for you both. You keep hanging tough, and so glad that the two of you can share the caregiving tasks. Best thing is, if you have a rough day, you have someone to talk to and you can help each other out!
you are very fortunate to be spending time with one of your parents in her later days, something I missed out on almost completely due to my work travels.
My parents and aunts and uncles all went through the Great Depression the hard way and I'm now regretting not spending lots of time with them just learning more about life and the rich history of my family on both sides. Perhaps you can spend some time documenting some of your family history.
You are a hero and wonderful humanist in my book...... ....... .......
Caring for an aged family member is truly at 24/7 job. You are a wonderful daughter!
Thanks!
.
I have worked throughout this plague mess. Honestly, being on the frontline with and for my clients, and my elderly sis who lives with me... I too am exhausted and at times just want to hide in a cave for a week. My sister is declining, so my best friend now lives with us to care for her while I'm at work. I work 19.5 hours a week outside our home. Then, all the grocery, pharmacy, doc appointments, medication management... My friend helps me with the gardens, house work and then just being with my sister and keeping her company while I'm away. Plus, with the fire last year that took 2/3 of our mobile home park, there's No way I can leave my sister alone. Our fire danger is just as high this year, and the fire chief said we're no better prepared or manned this year. My sister no longer drives, and has her days/nights mixed up. So, it's critical with me on an early schedule, I have someone who can be a night owl here with my sister.
Like you, I'm exhausted. I am thinking it's time to give up my outside clients, but I desperately need the money, because I had to drain my savings to buy our place. I am an unhappy camper, but I smile and laugh with my sister and clients. Plus, the amount of pain I'm in every day from the strain on my already damaged body is really bad. I go in again in August to make sure all my back hardware is still in place and hopefully find out why my tremors in my legs and left arm are getting worse. The doc mentioned neurological issues, and I'm hoping he can throw a few more pills at me to get me through for a few more years!
Good luck to us both!
I just went through two days of hell with mom....
Like you, I am exhausted yet I just wanted to give you a hug.
Love you for all you do Merry Blooms.
in one piece.
My body is betraying me these days, and it has me down. I am fused from my L2 into my pelvis and then all the rods and plates associated with the L2... I am hoping none of my hardware has shifted, or maybe hoping my hardware has shifted... My horrific legs cramps in my upper thighs and groin, and now my left arm, the nervous legs at night, tremors and stuttering. The physical strain of one client- he's a huge man and it involves transfers... I just don't know how much longer I can do my job. He and his family know I'm having problems health wise, and want me to stay, however, I think he needs a caregiver who is much bigger and stronger than me. They want to keep me, no matter what, even if it's only to cook, but that's not fair to my co-caregiver. Sometimes I come home after my shifts and the right side of my body is a combination of numbness and then the tremors. It's hard work.
You and your mom are still in my prayers. I pray for peace of mind and body for you both. My sister has good and bad days, but like with your mom, it's full time. Without my bestie here, I don't know what I'd do. The a/c guy had to come today, and my sis wasn't capable to deal with him, and I had to be at work. My friend was here and texted me updates while I was at work. It's getting more difficult, but you and I will get through this challenge.
Take care, sweetie.
No. It is time for you to take care of yourself. Step back and think of yourself and your sis, no one else. I don't know what else to say. Some of it has to be about you or you will not be able to help them. You need to look after you.
I get it and it is hard, you are doing far more than I am. This is my only job.
