I return to Texas within the week. Caring for my daughter and her fiance has been a very different experience then caring for my parents. Aging is place seems like a buzzword. But as I get more and more familiar with the care available (or not available/accessible in many cases) to seniors, it just makes so much sense. But it definitely does require planning and fore thought.
Our Story
We kind of fell into it with my mom. When she was originally diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and then that was changed to Parkinson‘s almost a year later, the gradual decline made it possible for us to talk through options and make plans as she went down hill. My family has taken EXCEPTIONAL care of her for the past 8 years. There are definitely advantages to having 5 kids and 3 of them living within 20 miles!
We took family photos in 2018 knowing it would most likely be my mom’s last time. Her memory and physical capabilities were fading fast. I’m so grateful we had these done.
Hospice was called in almost 3 years ago now. At the time, they didn’t expect her to last a month.
Now we watch every day, never knowing what it is to come. The long goodbye is definitely an accurate description of this debilitating disease. Her breathing is labored and raspy. It continues to get more and more laborious to feed her and prompt her to open her mouth and swallow.
But if anything my family sticks. My parents are truly examples of those often forgotten marriage covenants they made to one another over 50 years ago now.
Preparing for What’s Next
I feel very blessed to be here for this chapter in their lives and mine. I realize this is a privilege not many are given.
And I’ve realized that for now, being present for those that need me is exactly where I need to be.
And before you jump in the comments with the negativity or foreshadowing of some thing…I am sticking to my financial plan, saving and continuing to pay off my student loans. But I don’t know what or when my next chapter will come. And for the first time, that’s okay. Being present for my parents (and my kids) while they need me.
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