Blog #4: WILDCARD

Currently my mother is going through caregiver’s syndrome. The funny thing about her condition is that she does not live in the same state with her mother. My grandmother has help with her dementia from many family members that live nearby. My dad shares the syndrome for similar reasons. When his mother was sick, he could not be with her as much because she lived in upstate Florida. She got sick to the point where she has to come to Orlando to get better medical care. She was diagnosed when she got here but the cancer was too far along to save her. One week later she died. My dad went to see her every day and night. He neglected his immediate family for the most part. At the age of 15, I understood that my father had to see his mother and she was terminally ill.

He feels that he has to be around his mother in law as much as his can in order to help my mom. He does not want her to feel like she is alone and he is by her side. I wish that my parents would give themselves a break and let the professionals take care of my grandmother. She is sick and I know they want to be with her as much as they can. But with the economy and how the world is, they cannot. Whenever my mother gets time off or vacation, she goes to my grandmother. I would like for her to go on a cruise or do something for herself because she is tired. She always thinks about others and never herself. 

Assisted Living Facility

In the first blog that I completed for this course, I discussed my grandmother’s battle with dementia. My mother and her sister refuse to put her in s nursing home out of fear that she would be hurt or mistreated. If my grandmother was in a different state of mind, I believe that she would enjoy an Assisted Living Facility. Most of them include 24 hour supervision, meal and snacks throughout the day and group sessions.

When I talk to my grandma on the phone, she complains to me that she has no one to be with. Her friends and family are far from her and she wants company. At the assisted living facility, she would be able to be around people her age and enjoy their fellowship. The assisted living facility provides exercise, social and religious groups, transportation, and even housekeeping. This type of LTC would keep my grandmother active and stimulated.

 My grandfather leaves the house and says that he can’t spend all of his time trying to entertain her. This really annoys me because he is her husband and should show true love. I feel that my grandfather has a bit of care givers syndrome. He is with her for most of the day and provides her with all of her meals and makes sure that she is comfortable. He needs a break and when he comes back I feel that he will be in a better mood and be a better husband to m grandma.

The only issue that my grandmother may have with this type of LTC is the independence. She is never really alone now that her dementia has progressed. I am afraid for her being alone. My grandfather would have to be with her. This in turn would relieve some of his stress and his caregiver syndrome.