Welcome to My World – A Caregiver’s Frustration

Since we’ve been receiving hospice care, a nurse visits our home twice a week and we really appreciate those visits.  Because of her declining mental and physical abilities, Gladys’ care is becoming increasingly frustrating.  For the past few days, it has been very difficult for Gladys to stand up and walk.  In fact, we don’t even take her to the bathroom anymore, we just try to get her to take the few steps to the bedside commode.

This past Monday our home health aid and the nurse arrived about the same time.  They were surprised that it took both of them to get Gladys out of her chair and stand her up to her walker.  Of course Gladys told the nurse that she felt fine and everything was going well.  They looked at me, surprised at the effort that it took for both of them to help her up.  I just looked at them and said “Welcome to My World.”

More change is in store because my husband, Fred, starts working next week.  It will be an adjustment because he helps me a lot with Gladys.  I have added another day for our sitter, so that will be some relief and allow me to run errands and do other things I need to do.

All we can do is take it one day at a time and do the best we can.  It gets a little frustrating but so far we’re managing.

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