Stories from Caregivers: Sheree from VIRGINIA
VA
Sheree
FROM VIRGINIA
On Christmas Day 2015, my 85 year old mother fell in her garage and fractured her pelvis and left elbow. After being hospitalized for three weeks, she was placed in rehabilitative care at a facility for three more weeks. Upon her release, I offered to care for her in my home because other family members who lived with her were unable to give her the 24 hour care she needed since they worked and I was retired. I gave mom my room since it was the largest and had room enough to sleep on a twin bed in the same room for a few weeks. While she was with me, I learned things about her history that I had never known. It was a blessing to watch her gradually move from being dependent on me to care for her to becoming almost the independent woman I've always known. I taught her how to use an iPad to search for her favorite music, and to Face Time with grandchildren and grand nieces in another state. It was hard seeing her go back home after three months, but a new job out of state helped me to adjust a few months later. Although she is now back in the hospital and may need home care again, I am sure she will be well cared for. I am just grateful to have spent the time with her. Home care givers are to be commended for giving of themselves and their time.
