Dear Caregivers & Friends,
Maybe it's the winter months of grey, cold, and damp, or maybe it's the recent full moon, but the majority of us appear to be struggling right now more than usual. Our blog authors have been especially overwhelmed in recent weeks and we want you to know we wish days and nights were easier for all of you. If only we could open a Rest/Recharge Spa next to each VAMC to provide some respite during the often long hours at the centers, but you are needed for the appointments, so that's just not possible on so many levels.
Many of you have said how difficult it has been to read recent public announcements of great support to come, which led to hopes raised, then lowered in the space of two weeks. But rest assured, that support will definitely come and there will be good programs in the near future.
But, for now -- what to do? If you can find the time, will you take a moment and write the key things that would help you the most? Have someone run errands for you? Someone to really listen to you? For things to be good enough at home to return to your schooling or career? Find or create a portable job you could do flexibly given your caregiving? Gain medical care for you and your children? Participate in a sleep or caregiver stress study? Obtain a service dog? Say what would help you and think bigger than an uninterrupted cup of coffee - you matter and let's see if there's anything we can practically DO while we wait.
Hugs and blessings to you all,
Linda
Right now the biggest thing for me is financial burdens. I exist on a very slim income. I have cared for Dee for two and a half years now and have never received any payment for what I do. I have saved her life twice. She tells anyone who will listen that she would be dead, had I not cared for her.
ReplyDeleteDee would qualify for a nursing home, and that would be paid for by the VA. Over the past two and a half years, that would have cost the VA a MINIMUM of $90,000. That is what I have saved them. All I get in return (aside from Dee's gratitude and friendship) is more headaches in dealing with the VA.
Everything that we have asked about we are told "She does not qualify" or " We don't know anything about that". If she qualifies for a full time nursing home placement why the heck can they not figure out a way to pay me even a few miserable hundred dollars. Like many others here, the daily struggle to make ends meet is exhausting.