The Professional Geriatric Care Manager’s Blog

I’m Back

Hi Everyone -

It’s been some time since I have last written. My life has been quite turned around lately. As you know I am the primary caregiver for my father who has early stage dementia. Last week I found out that my mother (and my best friend) has terminal lung and pancreatic cancer. She is gravely ill and there is nothing that can be done for her. It has been such a surreal experience as I have been working as her care manager for the past week, arranging to bring her home, for hospice care and all her medications. My sister who is retired came up from Florida and I would have to say that she is Mom’s primary caregiver, staying in the house and providing care for her. I go to see her everyday and am involved with the hospice folks, yet I don’t really feel like I am a part of this. I feel like I am a care manager. I am in a very strange place right now.

It’s funny but I have never thought of my parents as elderly because they are so active and involved in their local senior citizens club, but when we were in the hospital and the emergency room doctor was giving report on my Mom he referred to her as a frail, elderly 81 year old woman. It was only then that I realized that they are elderly and I will shortly be faced with my Mother’s death. It’s pretty scary being on this end of the equation.

As a geriatric care manager I work with families in my situation every day and work very hard to provide them with the best care imaginable. I am available to them 24 hours a day 7 days a week and handle any crisis that comes their way. I love being a geriatric care manager and assisting my families. I am toying with the idea of having one of the wonderful nurses I have working with me take over as Mom’s care manager so I can just be her daughter, yet I find myself unwilling to give up control. This has certainly opened my eyes to what my Client family members must feel when they make the initial call to me. This is an awful situation to be in but I feel like it will be an incredible learning experience for me and that I will be able to share what I learn with those who work for Distinctive Care. I am going to tell my Mother that this experience is going to make me a better person, a better care manager and a better boss.

I encourage you to comment on this entry. It’s very personal and I would love to know what you think about how I am handling this situation and also to provide me with any advice you may have to offer me. Or you can contact me directly at sophia@distinctivecare.net or through our website www.distinctivecare.net.

Sophia