Suggestions for a grand daughter taking care of her grandmoher?

Question

Back in June my grandmother fell and was put into a rehab home, the conditions of her release was that she would need full-time care at home. I agreed to help with this taking the night shift, and helping sometimes during the day.

I am now feeling overwhelmed. My grandmother has a lot of medical conditions: an illyostomy,fluid on the brain, unable to walk or stand on her on without the use of a walker and someone there with her, the list goes on and on.

I've tried to talk to my mom about my concerns and feelings with this role I have come into but have found that to be next to impossible. Is there any really good online support groups for caregivers out there?

Answer 1

here is the only website that i could find.

http://www.mdjunction.com/caregivers

i hope i could help.

Answer 2

you dont need a support group, you need to get counselling for your family; you shouldn't be put on this burden, your mom should help too. It just doesnt' seem right what's goin on.  

Answer 3

Hunny, how old are you?  Your mother needs to listen to you.  If she isn't, try some other family members.  You need a break every once and a while.  You need your own life too.  I commend you for wanting to care for your g-ma and you should.  However, you should take care of yourself too!  

Answer 4

Keep a good eye on her

Answer 5

im not sure about support groups but if you are feeling overwhelmed that isn't good for not only you but your grandmother. it may be hard but she should go somewhere where she can get the help she needs from multiple people instead of one who is trying to take care of herself and her grandmother with many needs. you can also hire a person to help your grandmother when your gone or busy that way she stays with you.

Answer 6

If you google the illnesses that you are dealing with then you can google them and add what you are looking for and at the end add support groups when my grandma had cancer we just searched for support groups for cancer and there it was I hope this is helpful and keep your head up and put it in gods hands sweetie take care!!!

Answer 7

You're a really good granddaughter she is lucky to have you,  do you have any siblings or cousins on her side of the family that can help, or maybe you could hire someone to come in once or twice a day whenever you can't be there, of course if you feel comfortable with that.  Keep an eye on her if she takes her medicine by her self because my grandmother kept taking the wrong medicine whenever she was alone.

Good Luck ;]

Answer 8

You did a kind thing but it is clear that you will have to bring your grandmother back to a facility. My mom passed away 4 years ago and before she died the family discussed taking care of her. It would have been a fiasco had this happened as it is too much for our limited knowledge. Please start to face facts that this is not working out and get her into a facility.

Answer 9

The best is a family member look you are a grand daughter you need to do this for her it may seem like alot but nursing homes and stuff like that are not a good place for your grandmother i was watching something on tv not that long ago and this lady had her mother at her house and during the day she couldn't watch her and so she had ppl come out and help her well her mom was really old and said that the ppl were hitting her and she didn't believe and then she put up cameras and watched them beat her mom. You really need to take care of her no matter how hard what would you do if you were older and no one wanted to take care of you.... What you give is what you will recieve.  

Answer 10

im not sure about online support groups, but you could always try a home nurse. they can be very reliable & helpful, but just sorta keep an eye on the nurse when shes helping your grandmother, just to be safe. it is hard taking care of someone who has as many medical conditions as your grandmother, and i have to give you credit for volunteering to take care of her. but as you said, it is overwhelming, and sometimes its better to have a little bit of extra help (home nurse)

Answer 11

i am not sure where you live but ileostomy patients have a support group. they should have a site. google ileostomy support groups. those people can help you and guide you in the right direction for the caregiver support groups. you may be able to google that also.good luck and god bless you for looking after your grandma.she would do it for you i the roles were reverse. i am a nurse for 22 years and taking care of a ill and elderly peorson is a very challenging thing.and do not feel any guilt over feeling overwhelmed. it is overwhelming.that is natural to feel that way.do yo get proper rest at night? you need rest. and dont volunteer yourself too much.do what you can and refuse what you can.you have to have time for you.there are many public,no cost caregiver services that i am sure your grandma qualifies for.go to a local hospital and ask to speak to a social services worker. they can give you a list of all the things you need to help you and grandma.she dosent have to have been a patient there and if she was they shouldve given you the list of community services on discharge.i highly recommend that.good luck.and also call grandmas drs office and ask for him to call a consult for homecare.he shouldve done that.

Answer 12

Try a home health agency (you can call her Dr to get a referral). They can provide you services through medicare such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing service, social worker and a home health aide to help with bathing. The social worker would be a good resource to point you in the right direction for help with caregiver or agencies that help with the elderly. You have to have time for yourself too or you will get burned out and be no help to your grandmother.

Answer 13

Look into medicade/medicare helping with paying for a home health aide. Talk to her Dr about arranging for care. You really shouldn't be the sole provider for her care!

Answer 14

I think the best you can do for her is to let her rest until she die...because she has too much sickness that she barely has time to clear away one by one.

The best you can do now is to be by her side as often as you can..Show her love and care..

and just take care of her..

Keep her happy

And talk to her about god

Read her bible..

make her happy

Answer 15

try googleilng "Visiting Angels" they r pofesional caregivers and they coul help u. they r really friendly and hav locations all over the country.