Goodnight Mom…Goodnight Dad Moving My Parents In With Me The Greatest Gift I Gave Myself

Many adult children are raising their parents through their older years. Maybe you once teased each other about what would happen in their elder hood, but here you are now, facing the reality of aging parents who need assistance. Mom and Dad can’t live alone anymore. They need daily assistance with regular daily activities. Maybe they never thought they’d live past ninety, or be married for over seventy years, but here they are. and they DEFINITELY never wanted to live with or depend on their adult children, but Mom can’t walk and Dad can’t drive or remember things. Every time you visit, your heart breaks a little more with each goodbye. Are they really that unhappy? Is it fear expressed through anger and sadness? What are you going to do? What CAN you do? What are you willing to do? Mrs. Levy takes you along a road typically not taken or encouraged: moving your parents in with you! The challenges are real and not for the faint of heart. Breathe. Smile. Repeat.You are their caregiver first and child second at a minimum be ready to handle: Health Insurance, medical appointments, medications and hospitalizations; Menu planning, and dietary, appetite and feeding issues; Hygiene and sleep schedules; Shopping for food, clothes and necessities, and keeping them connected with family and friends.

For all intents and purposes, your life makes their lives possible.

It was an unexpected blessing that I moved them in just prior to the global pandemic that targeted their demographic. It s my priceless gift to have them happy, healthy and safe during their last days. Be open and grateful for the opportunities you never thought you’d choose.