For several years, we had begun to notice that "something wasn't the same" with my Mom. She would get lost when she would drive herself somewhere, she had difficulty recalling recent events, she was having trouble finding the right words to express thoughts or name objects, and she was having problems planning and carrying out normal tasks (i.e. balancing a checkbook, writing a card, etc.). So, in May 2006, my Mother came to live with my husband and I. By Sept. 2006, we were no longer able to leave my Mother alone and I had to quit my full-time job. Then in Jan. 2007, my Mother had a stroke. To say that we were completely unprepared for this change, is an understatement!! When this life change occurred for us........there was the overwhelming process of figuring out what to do, who to call, who has the answers, where do I turn, who can help me, etc. Getting a Medical Power of Attorney What State programs are there for Adult Day Care Finding the safest and best Adult Day Care What programs are there for Dental & Vision for the elderly because Medicare does not cover Ways to keep your loved-one's mind stimulated and active Programs for the elderly that keep their body active What medications work & don't work for Dementia I could go on and on with this list............. And then there is the whole side of this situation that is very difficult. Dealing with the grief of watching your parent change, the stress on your marriage, the stress on finances because I had to quit working, and how completely overwhelming this situation in life was. I remember very clearly one evening when my Mother was laying in bed trying to read and she was crying because she couldn't understand some of the words (words that had never been a problem before) and I crawled up beside my Mother, put my arms around her and wept like a child. The grief of watching this woman who had taken care of a husband & 4 children with such ease, was now struggling to read the words on a page. I have had the opportunity to be transformed in countless ways through this life changing situation and I am truly grateful.
