Caregiver Duties Are Reduced

I interviewed a new caregiver candidate yesterday. It hit me hard when I had to explain her duties. They are very simple now that Mom is gone.

In the past, I have interviewed dozens of caregivers to whom I've had to describe a lengthly list of duties chiefly pertaining to my Mom's care. My Mom had to be exercised, changed, bathed, dressed, moved into living room, givin oxygen, and given meds. At night, they had to bathe her, dress her for bed, and move her into her bed.

In contrast, Dad stays in bed all day long.

Absentee Ballot Application for Dad

My Dad was so deeply committed to the democratic process that he served as a precinct captain. For many years, he went door-to-door in sleet and snow to register voters. He spend days at the polling place assisting where needed.

I will ensure his vote counts in this historical election year.

I just downloaded the absentee ballot form. He checked the box indicating he is physically handicapped because he is unable to leave the house.

I am excited for him! A Tulsa Massacre survivor, raised in the Jim Crow south, will be able to vote for the first Black president.

BarackObama will give his famous acceptance speech in Denver tonight to a crowd of 70,000.

Going home will be sad

I will head home to Chicago today and I just realized I will not see my Mom's smiling face when I walk in the door. She would keep me company and I would keep her company as she observed me from her comfortable lift chair (in front of the big TV). She rarely spoke but she watched and smiled. She closely watched all my movements, whether I was processing their mail, opening groceries, paying and filing their bills, or trying a new dessert.

Now, the living room is empty.

Her hearing aid accesseries, skin care products, candies, and water bottle are no longer needed.

I used to pick up my favorite Chinese food on the way home. She ALWAYS wanted some of my food. Now, I have no one to share it with...............................

(Dad stays in bed and sleeps most of the day.)

I Will Hire A New Caregiver

It looks like I will need to find a newcaregiver to work weekend nights. Our existing nightime caregiver has sceduling conflicts because of family issues.

I will interview someone whom she recommends when I go there next week. Apparently, this colleague used to help take my Mom out for road trips last year so she is familliar with our family and our needs. Also, our (3.5 year) night time caregiver trusts her.

She will be the twelth caregiver I have hired since January 2005.

Dad used to be predictable and always follow routines

Dad used to be predictable and always follow routines

All that is changing and he is giving the caregivers a hard time.

He used to take his daily medication religiously. Recently, he refuses to take his meds, at times.

He used to sometimes refuse help with bathing and only bathed periodically. Recently, he has begun to demand that all the caregivers bathe him—even if there is an outside nurse whose job is to bathe him.

He used to remember conversations. Lately, he keeps forgetting that I spoke with his sister’s husband.

He used to accept me paying the bills. Now, he questions why he does not see them.

He even insults and threatens the nigh time caregiver---more and more.

I wish he would spend time outside of his bedroom and entertain himself with television.

I worry about his emotional well being.