I have 5 children aged between 8 and 17, and im also my dads carer he is 79, He has C.O.P.D, Angina,Asthma,slight Parkinsons,Depresssion (bought on by my mums death in 2004) and also he goes through phases of forgetting where he lives and tried to 'go home', although we all live in his house..
He needs oxygen 18 hours a day, he has to take about 7 different pills 4 x a day, he cant wash or shave himself. And he has taken to going through days of ignoring me, where at one time we used to have all sorts of conversations..
But i'd rather have it no other way, i have and older sister and 3 older brothers, they all have less children than i do, but i'm glad my dad preferred me to look after him..
I do most things for my dad, unless i think he is being lazy and make him do some easy things,just to keep his mind active.. i have even taken to sleeping in the adjacent room to his and removed the door between us so if he needs me during the night he can see me and call me..
My older 2 children help.(Matthew was raised by both my parents,hes 17 now) he does the whole bathing thing for his Grandad, after all he is my dad and i dont really want to be washing his bits, but if i had to i would .. I just thinks its less embarrassing for my dad that another male is washing him rather than his own daughter.
The few times he has been to hospital (for chest infection) he says he is going for a rest from the young kids, but as soon as hes there he wants to come straight back home as he misses the noise..
I care for my elderly father and love every minute
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