My mom turned 96 last week while taking blood samples for a routine check.  Don’t get me wrong, I am eternally grateful she made it this far.  All the sacrifices she made while I was young to support me through college, and all the tireless hours before that raising me, I could go on.  It is my turn to take care of her in her old age, especially after my dad passed away 6 years ago.

When I first started caring for her, she had an almost impossible situation.  She had been using a wheelchair for awhile and her leg muscles atrophied into almost bone sticks and her home care staff cannot lift her out of the chair or standing up, let alone walking on her own.  I asked if she would rather stay difficult to care for, or would she be willing to put in effort to become self-sufficient.  She chose the latter and so we began rehabbing.  6 month later she gained some flexibility and leg muscle growth, another 6 months later she could walk on her own with a walker and do some simple exercise on her own.  

I was really proud of her and glad I took the time to help rehabbing her.  But almost a century old standard of hygiene, living without modern conveniences, makes communicating between us really difficult.  Did I mention she is almost blind with macular degeneration?  So learning new things and using the technology is difficult for her.  I tried several times to show her what technology can assist in vain.  Regardless, I wonder how much more time I would have with her and just hoping to keep her healthy for as long as I can.  What has your elderly care journey been like?  Like, Comment, Share and Follow, Thanks,