Could you look after your parents?

Question

If either of your parents were unable to look after themselves due to ill health, could/would you look after them?

Answer 1

Of course I would, But you also need some time to yourself,,,, get a sitter (for lack of a better word) once and a while so you can go blow off some steam. You'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel. Even if it's for a couple of hours.

My best to ya,

Loki

Answer 2

Of course I would look after them like I am sure they would if I ever encountered a debilitating illness. Although, there are other options such as nursing homes and hospitals, I feel that my parents would be safer and happier under my care. Feeling overwhelmed and lonely is natural and I greatly admire how you sacrificed your occupation to look after your mother. But you should also care for yourself and try to find some amusement in your life. Get someone you know and trust to look after your mother at least once a week so you can go somewhere where you can be free, relax, be with someone or just to think!

Answer 3

I am a carer and I suggest you get in touch with your doctor or health advisor to have help.We go in and assist people to wash and dress and also see to their meals if they live alone.There are some care organisations that have carers sit with the client while you can have some time out for yourself.You have your own life to consider , we all love our families but it is hard to do this on your own and nobody will think any of the less of you if you seek help. My parents have both passed away and managed to stay in their own home with help from my sister and I till they had to go into hospital before they died, I would have done what I could if I had to but there is help out there if you need it.

Answer 4

And yet you left her side to ask this question. Disgraceful.



On a serious note, don't be manipulated by the 'I looked after you so you have to do the same' excuse. You carry on like this, in a few years you'll be in the same predicament but won't have anyone to look after you. Go and enjoy your life. If your parent tries to stop you from doing this she doesn't deserve your care. There's a stigma surrounding care homes and I don't know why the hell why; my grandmother lived in one for 6 years and enjoyed herself immensely, she was around likeminded people and had plenty of facilities.

Answer 5

yes i would and to the others who say how can you ask this, well a lot of older relatives do suffer mentally and it is such hard work when you do everything for nothing in return or they dont even recognise you or are violent



i know people who have my nan was very disabled when my mother was about 15 and my mom helped my nan all the time



nowdays there is help out there for full time carers, financialy and socially where you can chat with other carers and go on days out so you do not feel alone

im not sure of the companys name but i know they are mostly charities why dont you contact your local citizens advice or your doc for information on these



good luck your doing a wonderful job but dont stress or wear yourself out or you will be no help to anyone

Answer 6

My siblings and I are taking care of our parents. Our mother is very debilitated with advanced recurred lymphoma, and our father has severe asthma. Both parents have cataracts and can't drive. Our dad is having a terrible time dealing with our mother's impending demise. We are coping -- but it's miserable. It really is very lonely -- as the only one of the 3 of us kids who is single with no kids. It's because of that that I get called on a lot -- I don't "have a life" while my sibs have "families". Descrimination against single people -- maybe we need a group for that!



But yes, I can and do take care of my parents. I would feel awful if I didn't. I love them!

Answer 7

No. I couldn't and I didn't. I watched my mother spend the last 20 years of her life caring for HER mother and forgoing what should have been the best days of her life. She died last year at 89.

Answer 8

God bless you for doing that and Yes I came back to Arkansas to live next door to my parents and I lost Mom last year to cancer, And she was my compass to Life. Yes, I am a senior citizen

Answer 9

i feel for you!.. I would take care of my parents if anything happened to them and they needed a carer. I would never put my parents into a care home they took care of me when i was un able to take care of myself its my job to do the same for them

Answer 10

i looked after my uncle until he passed in1998 i was only 13 and it was hard but i would do it all again 4 my parents. if you need to talk to some 1 just for a friendly chat you can email me or i'm me k.

hope this helps.

Answer 11

Yess of course i would they've looked after me as i grew up so isnt it right to just pay them that much respect and look after them when they are ill?

They looked after us when we where ill and suffered to see us in soo much pain so ofcourse i would!

With Love...X

Answer 12

This is something I have thought of, and it frightens me to think of time when I would have to for I feel as though I wouldn't be able to do a sufficient job. I certianly don't have the financial ability to do so and my life is completely in limbo as well.

Answer 13

my dad is 81 has cancer and Alzheimer's.. my sister looks after him, bless her...

i try to help when i can with my dad,but in all honesty, no i couldn't look after dad as his full time carer!i don't know why, just hes my dad!

poor excuse, but I'm being honest..

Answer 14

Yes no question about it. I have worked in many nursing homes over the years and basically all dignity is robbed, bed sores develop when one nurse decides they can nt be arsed creaming properly and so on etc etc etc. Yes i would nurse my own relatives.

Answer 15

Yes i would ... but i don't want my children to look after me .. its hard going ...

*edit*

not sure what the thumbs down are for ..i have worked in nursing and residential homes i know how hard it is ... i wouldn't want my kids seeing me like that simple as that ..or them having that responsibility....

Answer 16

well my parents recently got quite old and i decided just to lock them in a room . pretty much baby-proofed the room. boarded the windows up and slip them some food every now and then . it worked for me . but hey who i am to say

Answer 17

I would of course do my best, but I would seek professional help. We all must live - besides, sick people need very specific care, which we cannot provide, unless we are doctors /nurses.

Answer 18

I tried to care for my mum, but my sister took her away, then she passed away. But I don't want to look after my mother-in-law as she is so annoying.

Answer 19

I think we can and should look after our beloved parents.

Answer 20

no i could not do what you do

i think you must be a very brave person



you are really on your own with this one

it cant be easy

Answer 21

my mother looked after my gran for 5 years at her house and i always say i would look after my mum but i lost her last year she was only 58 god rest her sole so yes i would definitely do it i told my dad he will e ok i will always look after my dad

Answer 22

Yes. I'd hire a nurse but would NEVER put em in an adult daycare.

Answer 23

it is your responsabilty to the person who did it for you.



what if you were diabled now as a adult, who would take care of you? Your parent probley.



it is sad that someone would have to ask the question in reality.

Answer 24

I have no choice Iam a only child

Answer 25

Yeah course. If they did it for you, you gotta do it for them.

Answer 26

yes done it. they looked after you.