Six months ago I found myself painting over the light purple walls of my childhood bedroom with a much more mature shade of white in preparation to move back in with my parents. I think that was the moment my new reality really started to sink in. I was moving back in with my parents at 26 years old and bringing my fiancé with me. This time, however, was so that we could support them. Sacrificing my high maintenance lifestyle, my emergency savings, a career I worked hard for, and most of my free time felt like nothing compared to sacrificing my personal space in that moment, and it’s still something I am learning to cope with now.
“This is what it means to love someone unconditionally” is a constant thought running through my mind these days- A constant reminder that the work I perform as a caregiver is an act of unconditional love. When a family member becomes gravely ill or injured before they are old enough to qualify for social security or even have a living will in place the family is forced to make extremely difficult decisions. Unfortunately for me and my family, that time came in the spring of 2021 when my mom experienced extreme medical complications caused by her type 1 diabetes. After months in various care facilities she was cleared to come home, but as a much different version of the proud and independent woman she once was. She was diagnosed with dementia at 58 years old.
Figuring out how to provide the care mom needed was a hurtle in itself. We tried block scheduling with different family members and close friends, but there always seemed to be gaps. My dad started using more PTO than he ever had before. It was completely unsustainable. Choosing to set up to become mom’s full-time caregiver was the only path forward. Now, mom and I spend every day together, learning to navigate our new reality side by side.
My hope is that by sharing my story and the lessons I’ve learned, I save someone else a little heartache and confusion when they are faced with the same unfortunate situation. This blog is dedicated to helping caregivers locate resources, connect with others caring for a disabled family member, and to share stories that educate and uplift.
I was inspired to create this blog by another caregiver, @carepartnerpattie on TikTok, who shared parts of her journey caring for her mom, and who offered me kind words and support at the beginning of my own caregiver journey.
The Millennial Caregiver 