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When my mom became ill, we eventually learned she had normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition that can mimic dementia. Once doctors inserted a shunt that drained the excess fluid in her brain, she made an amazing turnaround. But there were still times when her shunt clogged, and the dementia symptoms …

Guest post by Gretchen Huesmann “Mom can’t keep this up,” my sister informed me. My heart sank at her words. I lived three states away from my mom who was sole caregiver for my stepfather. While his health declined, my mom’s Meniere’s disease escalated. The mounting stress of his dementia …

Though I’d always hoped to keep my dad in his own home, moving him to assisted living looked more and more appealing. His house was paid off, but the cost of caregivers, utilities, upkeep on a fifty-year-old house, medications, doctor bills, and a hundred other expenses began to overshadow his …

Guest post by Katy Gloudemans In the quiet of the hospital room, my father’s voice resonated, leading our family through the rosary. He sat by my mother’s bedside, tightly gripping her hand along with his rosary—a lifeline to his unyielding faith. Suddenly, the prayers ceased. I gazed at dad, and …

No matter how elderly or how sick our loved ones are, God is not finished with them until they breathe their last. I learned that lesson well when caring for my mother-in-law. Shortly after Fairsee turned 100, she had a major heart attack. On hospice for the next three months, …

Nowadays, people tend to think that if you’re caregiving, your loved one must have Alzheimer’s. While Alzheimer’s and other dementias are growing more common, especially as medicine advances and baby boomers age, many reasons may determine why you are caring for someone. Some caregiving involves short-term care for situations involving …

Guest post by J.J. LeVan Dear Road Warrior, A group of us curved our Harley-Davidsons through the hills of Tennessee on a driving adventure known as the “Tail of the Dragon.” Hot, tired, and hungry, we took a lunch break at the end of the trail. Amidst hundreds of other …

Guest post by Kristy Horine “I think there’s something I need to let you know about,” Momma said. “I got this letter from the VA.” My heart melted. My gut clenched. My mind scrambled for the right things to say. “Are you okay?” “I think I am,” she said. Then …

Guest post by Jennifer Dodrill Are you part of the sandwich generation? Dorothy Miller coined the term in 1981, realizing that middle-aged people were raising children and taking care of their parents. It’s a unique position. You might be a “traditional” sandwich—adults who care for aging parents while raising their …

Guest post by Brenda E. McDaniel I became a caregiver when my parents grew older. I was disabled myself from a spinal injury, and my parents were in their eighties. One day, I went into my mom’s bedroom, and she was lying on the floor in pain, unable to get …

My caregiving season began with my mother’s return home after brain surgery and three months in a skilled nursing facility. Though fine cognitively, my dad had serious health problems himself and could do little to help. I was not at all confident we could adequately take care of Mom by …

Guest post by Toni Cordell I was beyond uncomfortable realizing I was becoming so sneaky. It had become necessary to pre-think and/or out-think my husband, whose mind was being taken over by the horrors of Alzheimer’s. He had a doctorate in ministry and had successfully served several churches as pastor …

Rayna Neises wrote an excellent book entitled No Regrets about caring for her dad. But I wonder, is it possible to have no regrets? I cared for my mom for three years through her battle with normal pressure hydrocephalus, my dad for another three years dealing with multiple health issues, …

Guest post by Loretta Eidson I almost fussed at him. But I’m thankful those feelings of frustration didn’t spew from my mouth. Weariness, exhaustion, and lack of sleep had me wondering how much more my physical body could endure. The countless nights sitting by his dialysis machine to turn off …