I may have to change my Caregiving blog to Mental Health/Caregiving.  I have had many requests for blog posts about how I survived the many challenges in my life.  I will be considering the change, but for now, I would like to share another caregiving story. 

Caregiving has been an ever-evolving interest since I first helped my mother Bernice with her mother.  My grandmother had dementia in her later years.  We never knew if she had Alzheimer’s because the word was never mentioned; she was just old.  She forgot things, repeated herself, and, at times, left my uncle’s house where she lived and wandered down the street.  

There was no question that my maternal grandmother would live in one of her family’s homes. While she lived mainly at my uncle’s, she frequently stayed with us in Connecticut.  We called her Mom Mom. She was so sweet and good-natured, but that didn’t mean it was easy to care for her.  I was amazed by my mother’s patience.  

At my uncle’s house, his wife had the majority of the responsibility for Mom Mom.  These two women, my mother and my aunt, gave me excellent examples of caregivers.  My grandmother was so blessed to have people around her who loved her and truly cared for her wellbeing.  I will always admire the generation who took their mothers or fathers into their homes.  I know it happens now but not as frequently, and I know there are people who can’t live at home due to health reasons.   

If you have a relative living with you, job well done.  You are to be commended and admired for your kindness, your patience, and your love.