http://www.healthy-status.com/where-should-grandma-live/ Check Your Health with better tips Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:05:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.healthy-status.com/where-should-grandma-live/#comment-300 Robert Tell Fri, 30 May 2008 19:22:50 +0000 http://www.healthy-status.com/where-should-grandma-live/#comment-300 "Where Should Grandma Live" is an excellent review of the issues concerning where an aging loved one's needs can best be met: at home or at a specialized facility. When the aging parent lives in another city, the issues can become even more intense. When my Mom was alive, I was her long distance caregiver. in the early stages of her dementia, after my father died, she chose to remain in Florida while I (her only son) had the task of looking after her welfare from Michigan, half a continent away. Ultimately, we had no choice and moved her to Michigan to live in an Assisted living facility nearby. At the time, I didn't consider myself a caregiver since she did not live with me. But the social workers at her facility made a convincing case that I was, indeed, a caregiver and subject to all the emotional and logistical issues relating to Mom's care and well being. I also learned that male caregivers are relatively invisible. Most are women, but a growing number of men are becoming primary caregivers for aging parents or spouses. These guys feel alone and isolated. That's why I wrote my book, "Dementia Diary, A Caregivers journal," free excerpts of which are available on my website (http://www.dementia-diary.com). I also wanted to make the point that dementia does not always have to be grim, that happy times and funny times exist along with the sad times associated with cognitive impairment. I give my best wishes to all wonder working caregivers as they go about the task of coordinating the care their loved ones require. “Where Should Grandma Live” is an excellent review of the issues concerning where an aging loved one’s needs can best be met: at home or at a specialized facility. When the aging parent lives in another city, the issues can become even more intense.
When my Mom was alive, I was her long distance caregiver. in the early stages of her dementia, after my father died, she chose to remain in Florida while I (her only son) had the task of looking after her welfare from Michigan, half a continent away. Ultimately, we had no choice and moved her to Michigan to live in an Assisted living facility nearby. At the time, I didn’t consider myself a caregiver since she did not live with me. But the social workers at her facility made a convincing case that I was, indeed, a caregiver and subject to all the emotional and logistical issues relating to Mom’s care and well being. I also learned that male caregivers are relatively invisible. Most are women, but a growing number of men are becoming primary caregivers for aging parents or spouses. These guys feel alone and isolated. That’s why I wrote my book, “Dementia Diary, A Caregivers journal,” free excerpts of which are available on my website (http://www.dementia-diary.com). I also wanted to make the point that dementia does not always have to be grim, that happy times and funny times exist along with the sad times associated with cognitive impairment. I give my best wishes to all wonder working caregivers as they go about the task of coordinating the care their loved ones require.

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