Stories from Caregivers: Cynthia from NORTH CAROLINA
NC
Cynthia
FROM NORTH CAROLINA
I'm 58 years old and was taking care of my father until he passed. I took care of him for a year and still had to work. During that time, when I first started taking care of him, I rescued him from an abusive marriage. He was all black and blue and was hospitalized near death. I took him in, he had to learn how to walk all over again. He had Parkinsons, so it was very challenging. It was difficult getting him to his appointments once he had learned to walk, then almost immediately needed a walker for assistance. He did not have medicaid, he suffered with gross hematuria and several bouts of delirium. I wish I had been educated at that time about delirium. He was eventually placed in a Nursing Home and passed about 3.5 weeks after going there. The transition was smooth as we knew what to expect. He died apeacefully and I was there with him. My dad was 81 and had Parkinsons for 20 years. I'd do it all over again to have my dad again. Respite Care didn't help me any because he had to be hospitalized after two days. Care givers don't get the help or the recognition they deserve and families need to understand the need to help.
