The points talked about in this story are very good ones such as taking care of yourself if you are a caregiver, helping your parent maintain their dignity,and getting a support team in place to help you as a caregiver. What I would like to see discussed are situations such as mine where there isn't much of a support team to help a primary caregiver deal with all of the issues that arise. My father passed away last year and my mother died several years ago. Prior to my dad's death I was his primary caregiver for two years. He did not want to discuss anything associated with his death such as final arrangements or distributing his personal belongings. Consequently, I became his executor with really no idea of how to proceed. I am now learning as I go. Even though I loved and cared deeply for my parents, I really resent having to deal with not knowing the important information required when processing an estate and dealing with the caregiver burnout that resulted from the whole situation.

I was the only caregiver for my mother (who had dementia) and brother (with both mental and physical handicaps) for over seven years. At the time I had just divorced and gotten a job and all was well....at least for a while. Luckily, at first I was able to balance their needs and finances and continue working. However, as things deteriorated, I had to quit work just to keep up with their care. A side note here: much of this time they both lived in senior assisted living facilities and the stories they could be told about this!! Another topic entirely.

A little over a year ago, they both passed away ( four months apart). As most caregivers know, it took me a while to gather my wits back. In the meantime, because I had quit work and also had to supplement some of their financial needs, I accrued credit card debt. Now to today's point, I am 63 years old, looking for work ( no luck) and have this debt..... just a very frustrating situation. I would say to others don't quit your job, however, sometimes it is not physically and mentally possible to DO IT ALL. At least I was able to give them the care and quality of life they deserved and will always treasure that. As the above comment notes, finances are a huge part of caregiving.

Your story on taking care of your parents was good, but this family have the means to but there parents in a assited living. You should do a story on families that don't have the money to do that for there parents have to take care of them. Assisted living is very expensive in New Jersey if can run up to $6,000 a month

Your story on taking care of parents was good, but this family have the means to put their parents in assisted living. You should have a story on families that don't have the means for assited living and have to take care of their parents. Assisted living is very expensive in New Jersey,If can run up to $6000 a month.

I am caring for my Mother. I live next door on the same property. My Mother refuses any help from others, she does however enjoy my brothers company, but he does not do more than bring her lunch. I was resenting my sister in law and my sister for not helping out, and in my Mothers dementia she tells me I owe this to my family? It has been 5 years and I have finnally realized that what I have learned about my family and especially myself has helped me to be more patient and understanding towards people. One of the most important things is to take care of estate planning!!! For yourself also!!! Medicaid will take your families home, they call it a lien. Do your homework and be strong. This is much harder than raising children. Forgive your family as we all have issues and forgive yourself for all those angry thoughts.