Our Promise To Gladys

When Gladys had her stroke three years ago, our most difficult decision was where she was going to live and who would take care of her.  Gladys is a widow with no children and no siblings.  My daughter, Nichole, and I made Gladys a promise – to look after her as long as we can; and, if possible, we will not put her in a nursing home.  And that is what we intend to do.

A few month’s ago I was talking to another Nicole, one of the managers where I bank.  Nicole’s mother is a caregiver for Nicole’s grandmother.  It is very difficult for her because Nicole’s grandmother is a rather large woman and Nicole’s mother is a small woman.  The main difficulty comes when the grandmother falls or needs help getting up.  There have been times when Nicole’s mother had to call the fire department to get her mother up after a fall.

Nicole’s mother eventually made the difficult decision to put her mom in a nursing home.  It was something that she agonized over for a long time.  You see, she also said she would not put her mom in a nursing home.  After a few weeks though, grandmother was back at home with her daughter.

I’ve talked to other people who are caregivers for their parents.  Most of them say that a nursing home is a last resort.  Regardless of the sacrifices and stress involved, caregivers want those we love to live out their lives surrounded by family and people who care about them.

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