Question: My mother has recently been diagnosed with a progressive illness and things have very suddenly changed with our relationship and what she expects of me. I’m feeling lost about what steps I should be taking and where to turn to get information to best support my mother through this difficult time.
Answer: A new health diagnosis can be overwhelming both for you as the caregiver as well as for your loved one. It is an emotional time and can cause anxiety and fear of the unknown. It is important to take steps to take care of yourself when starting the journey as a caregiver.
You may wish to discuss if your mother would like to have you present for future medical appointments or list you as a person of contact with her medical provider. She may rely on you to advocate for her during upcoming appointment and follow through on treatment options. This would also be a great time to review your mother’s wishes and discuss advanced directives to ensure she has completed power of attorney paperwork to assign someone to assist with decision making, if the need arises.
If you or your mother are interested in connecting with others with shared experiences, there are support groups (both in person and online) for you as a caregiver as well as your loved one. ADRC also has a class geared toward caring for yourself while caring for others called Powerful Tools for Caregivers to help you navigate through your caregiver journey. This is a six-week course offered throughout the year. If you are interested in this or other opportunities, please contact ADRC to discuss upcoming classes. ADRC can also provide information on the options available to help address mental health and well-being for you and your mother during this difficult time.
Additionally, there are an abundance of both national and local organizations that provide informational materials such as symptoms and treatments, current research, and virtual events. Some even offer free mailings you can sign up for, if interested.
Please keep in mind that ADRC is here for you. Our staff are aware of the community resources and can help narrow down the options specific to your mother’s needs. As your mother’s health and abilities change, or if she begins having difficulty caring for herself in the home, ADRC is here to discuss options and resources to help address those needs. Staff can discuss possible grant programs, in-home care, adaptive aids or equipment, and more.
If you are interested in meeting with someone from ADRC, specialists are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Help is available by phone at (920) 448-4300 or you can come to the ADRC and request to meet someone in person.
