The Family Caregiver,
Who Are They?

As mom's primary family caregiver, sitting here looking out the window I see the beautiful sun, I thank God that mom and I have a warm place to live and for the many things we have to be grateful for.

As each passing day, I see more and more in magazines and different articles in the newspaper about planning for the care of aging parent(s) and where a family member chooses to care for their loved one to spare them of living in a nursing home.

This by far, might be one of the toughest responsibilities some people will ever have to face.

You hear that Medicare and Medicaid want family to help in this area. It helps our parents(s) live a more independent life, and they say it is less expensive than a nursing home.

Now, I realize that everyone cannot leave their job like I was able to. Many of you have to continue working and also continue being the primary family caregiver at the same time.

There are agencies that can help you find a caregiver or you can do it on your own.

To find out how many children will make a promise to one parent on their death bed to care for the one who is left behind, click here.

As our parent(s) age and we see the need to step in to help them, we can find our self wrestling with many unfamiliar and difficult issues.

This takes a huge emotional, physical and most often than not, a big financial toll on the caregiver.

The National Family Caregiver's Association says that women who are family caregivers are 2.5 times more likely than non-caregivers to live in poverty.

They also say that in 2000, a typical family caregiver has lost approximately $109.00 per day in wages and benefits, due to the need to provide care at home.

According to resources that I have read, it has been said that most people do not realize just how much a caregiver takes out of their own pocket.

One report that I received states that caregiving is expensive and most caregivers use up their savings.

The time we take out of holding a job and receiving a paycheck will result in the caregivers receiving lower Social Security benefits.

The upside to caregiving is giving back to our parents who tucked us into bed and made sure we had a warm home and food on the table as we were growing up....yes, there is a downside too.

The downside to caregiving is loss of freedom, less social activities, and lots of stress, not to mention the loss of finances.

Our mom was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis, Diabetes, Anxiety and memory loss 6 years ago. Working very close with her doctor, the nurses and staff members of American Nursing we have been given great support.

Not many friends stop by now, which is unfortunate, but by being in a support group, which is a local one, I have seen this with most of the other family caregivers.

Friends just don't know what to say or do, so they don't stop over anymore and people seem to be much busier now.

If it wasn't for my God guiding me and showing favor on my life, I would not be here with mom today. I lack the strength and knowledge to do this on my own accord.

All my life I have found myself caring for others and to give them hope where there doesn't seem to be any.

We are doing the right thing by caring for our aging parent(s), even though it can be a very taxing and lonely time.

Through the experiences that we now have we will be able to reach out and touch someone else and show them that we care and understand.

I want to personally thank my brother Chuck and my two sisters, Linda and Betty for supporting me and sacrificing their inheritance to contribute financially towards mom's care to offset the income that I have lost.

"God earnestly longs to be gracious to you...to have mercy on you and show you His loving-kindness." (Isaiah 30:18)

Thank you to all my family and friends,

P.S. If you would like to receive my special report on "dealing with siblings" request your "FREE" report Now.

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