I joined a week ago and have posted my intro, then I started lurking and learning.
This site has wonderful resources, links, articles that are straightforward and not 'techie'!
I'm going to learn so much here.
In the near future, I would like to feature this site on my website. It's important to get the word out so others can find this fantastic support group!
Bravo to all of you!

Yes, this site IS amazing! I have met people on this site that I continue to talk to 'til this very day. True sisters!! Full of love and support and humor. I guess I can vouch for the image of Melissa's virtual chair sitting over in the corner. Ha! Good image, Missy. <--- heh heh

I see lots of new names and faces and I say "the more the merrier." An amazing group of people!!

As the days have gone by, I find myself caring for my 83-yr-old mil and my husband who is disabled right now after having had Achilles tendon surgery. MIL has hearing problems and severe edema and, yet, refuses to take her Lasix. She will take her BP meds, but the Lasix is new to her and she fights change.

Hubby started out being stubborn and obstinate, but now is actually THANKING ME for taking care of him. Emptying his pee bottle, bringing him food and drink, helping him in so many other ways.

I thought my caregiving days were over when Mother and Daddy passed. I was wrong. And, I am thankful to be back here again.

(Gosh! I've been here nine years? )

Uh Dochka, pollyanna? I dunno.
We've come down pretty hard on some folks, and even BG remembers being "smacked down"!
Doesn't sound too Polly to me - it sounds just like something we all need in our lives.
I'm glad I found this when I did - I treasure each of you.

I remember the first day like it was yesterday I felt like I was about to 'splode!
MIL was upstairs screaming her tirade of help me and pounding on anything with her hands and feet to the point I knew I needed help it was about 9 in the morning I punched up eldercare took a look at a few sites and posted here.
It was the most intense experience in my caregiving life to find a forum of all things, post and actually feel like a half dozen members all gathered round me gave me a couple of smacks for throwin myself a pity party and 5 minutes later Moms Buddy made me laugh so hard I about piddled my pants!
I can tell you without a doubt had I not found this place I would have sunk that day...
Nothing but good has come from this group for not only me and my sanity but my MIL who is 100 times better because of what these folks have taught me.
I cherish every single member here for all they did for my MIL they are an elite group of caregivers who dont think twice about dropping what their doing to help out someone in need who stumbles on in here

quote:

Originally posted by Bobcat:
I have been logged on almost daily (at least several days a week, often several times a day) for over 2 years. That doesn't mean I have had something to say every time I have been here.

Bobcat, I had to laugh at this. For an extended period of time, I pretty much had a virtual recliner parked in a corner of this forum cause I was here so much.

By the time I had a computer and found this forum seven years ago at the end of May, my father had died in Feb. and my mother would die in June. I learned things here in days that took me years to learn in the real world. I still regret I didn't have this valuable site so much earlier.

Though my elder caregiving days were nearly behind me, I continued to post. I posted to share what I'd learned, I posted to give support to others who were struggling, I posted because I received so much support myself. The EC site has changed in some ways over the years, but the reasons for being here haven't.

Long live the Eldercare forum. And a special thanks to Casey for giving us all such an amazing lifeline.

I also don't know what I would have done without these wonderful people! I felt so alone and afraid. They offered me their friendship and shared their knowledge and experience. To my mind, it has been a lifeline for my small boat navigating in this great big sea of Alzheimer's Disease and eldercaregiving.

Thanks Dan's Girl. I don't know what I would do without this place.I'm so glad I found it 6 years ago. Not only did I get the support while caregiving but have had so much this last few weeks since Mike's passing.

quote:

Originally posted by DOCHKA:
To many who visit this site it may seem pollyanna, BUT we all TRULY believe in the giving of CARE and love to our respected elderly LOVED ones! To us it is a matter of honor to do it.

Well said, Dochka!

And despite the challenges, it's an honor to serve with so many wonderful folks who, no matter how tired they are, how many last nerves are frayed to the max, rise again and again to the heed the call. I think the WORLD of the folks here for all that they do, for all that they endure in the service of their loved ones. Whenever I feel down, I think about all of you and I know the world is still a great place!! When I say "many blessings" to folks for all that they do, I mean it from the heart.

BTW, MANY, MANY blessings to ALL of you for what you are doing and for how much you give, especially in a world that seems to consider only short-term gains as its mantra. Y'all are DA BEST!!!

To many who visit this site it may seem pollyanna, BUT we all TRULY believe in the giving of CARE and love to our respected elderly LOVED ones! To us it is a matter of honor to do it.

A support forum is made up of people, not screen names. We encourage new folks to introduce themselves in the "New Caregivers Meeting Room" so that we can learn about their situation and understand better how to assist. Our hope is for each member to dive in and ask questions and offer suggestions to others.

Because we focus on the care of elderly people, we are not limited to a particular disease nor circumstance. We place strong emphasis on supporting the caregiver because THAT'S who directs the care and is in most need of support! Some of us are/were 24/7 hands-on caregivers for our LOs. Some of us are directing our LO's care via facilities. Still others are working as a team with other family members to care for their LOs. Each circumstance is unique and presents its own challenges. No one of us has all the answers, but among all of us, there are few situations that haven't come up and been resolved. There's no one "right" way, so everyone brainstorming to help one another becomes a treasure trove for weary caregivers on their last nerve.

We all fight for the best care in a maddening system full of twists and turns where one rapidly feels they are on their own, despite lip service to the contrary. Unless one has experienced this first hand, it isn't believable! That's what we mean when we talk about the comfort of being among those who "talk the talk, and walk the walk." We don't just read about caregiving or do it for a shift, most of us LIVE it every day.

Our support doesn't end with the death of the one for whom we care. Getting through the loss of our LOs is an important aspect of what this site has to offer. Each person who goes before can offer a hand up to those right behind them. Together, we'll all get through and learn to give back our experiences and go on to reinvent ourselves and our lives - hopefully changed for the better by our caregiving experiences.

We also have a pretty healthy mutual admiration society going on . OK, folks, time to don the gloves and get out the vicks. . All you newbie wannabees, come on in and tell us whats going on .

This is a wonderful site. I've been on for -- hummmmm -- close to 2 or 3 years. I still check in at least weekly even though I am no longer a caregiver. I like to see how everyone is doing. You make a connection here that lasts! And so very very helpful advise. Even just a shoulder to cry on. I post rarely now because for some reason my computer won't allow me to sign in. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.

I wanted to express my sympathy to Gypsy -- and will do so now. This is the first time I've been able to log on for a couple of months.

I have been logged on almost daily (at least several days a week, often several times a day) for over 2 years. That doesn't mean I have had something to say every time I have been here.

Mom has a way of making me feel like a newbie by presenting me with something new on a regular basis(or old as you might look at it) .

The patient regulars here have taught me that I CAN research problems and meds, that I CAN (should) question doctors, agencies, hospital staff, and that any questions and answers (however tempory) NEED to be shared here so that one less person beats themselves up trying to reinvent the wheel. We become family here.

This site preserves and shares the experiences of some real pioneers.

Wow. Just looked and I'm coming up on three years, although it may be a few months longer than that. I'd been posting for a while before they made registration mandatory because of an infestation of mean spirited trolls.

But I still feel like a newbie, and sure learn something new every day.

When a person needs to find compfort and compassion, time is important.People on the forum are quick to respond as they know what their responds mean to another.
If they are a little late it is not intentional, for sure.This forum has been a life line for so many.Once you have been here, made friends THE MEMORIES NEVER LEAVE YOU, EVEN THOUGH YOU LOOSE THE LOVED ONE YOU CARED FOR.

mae,
I've joined 2 other well known forums and neither one has even replied to my intro or comments. This forum comes right back to you really quickly with a reply and I feel that is very important! If you're coming here for help, you need it fairly soon.

Ihave been a part of this group for over six years.I came here by invitation from a wonderful person.I do not know how I would have gotten through the trials and tribulations if not for all the people here.We had the best and the worst shared here.Always someone ready to acknowlege what you are feeling.We learned to laugh , cry, be mad, all the emotions that go with the territory.I learned so much.Things a doctor would never have known or taken the time to explain.When my husband was so ill before his passing I leaned on a friend, here, who gave me so much information and encouragement.
Others experiences were shared and my best teacher.I cantinue to return because I am drawn to it.Once a caregiver you always want to share what you have learned and continue to learn from others.
If you need support you are in the right place.
There are other forums but I have become so at home with this particular one.

Yep... ECO has been around many mango seasons...
Aint' nothin' like the real thing, baby...

Thank you, SS. We have a whole lot to offer. We are sincere in our efforts to help with the giving of care to our loved ones and to survive the experience. As frustrating and humbling as this sometimes is, I believe I am a better person for trying.