Working with Siblings

My sisters and I have undertaken the cleanup of my mom's house.  Increasingly, it is clear that it is not a good environment for her.  Regardless of if Mom stays in a facility with a nursing staff or we move Mom into a condominium or an apartment, keeping her in a three bedroom, two and … Continue reading Working with Siblings

Educational Resources – Mental Health

There is a lot of information out there on mental health, but so little of it seems to be talking to the person who is living the experience as the caregiver.  I want to learn from someone who has situational empathy for what I'm experiencing, not a list of symptoms, but someone who knows what … Continue reading Educational Resources – Mental Health

If I Could Talk to Me, 15 years ago… Lessons Learned From Caring for a Mom with Bi-Polar Disorder

My sisters have been in town helping me clean-out my mom's house.  She never threw anything away, so she has three houses worth of stuff under her roof.  It is ridiculous. During our time together, my sisters and I were kind of reminiscing over the journey with mom, childhood, and how we got to where … Continue reading If I Could Talk to Me, 15 years ago… Lessons Learned From Caring for a Mom with Bi-Polar Disorder

Three Month Update – Caregiver

I moved mom into an elderly retirement community with nursing care about three months ago.  It was the best decision I have ever made for myself, and for her.  She was probably calling me 30-40 times per week, now she is averaging 2-3. She has gone from being clinical for three months, to now stay … Continue reading Three Month Update – Caregiver

The Gap After Clinical Care

The 1950's and 1960's saw the de-institutionalization of patients suffering from mental illness.  Why is that?  Well two things: 1) Due to the lack of institutional oversight, the institutions themselves were wrought with problems and cases of patients being abused; and 2) the Civil Rights Movement.  A person diagnosed with a mental illness hasn't committed … Continue reading The Gap After Clinical Care

You Ain’t Atlas – Caregiver

Being a Caregiver to a Family Member with Clinical Mental Illness I don't know if it was because it was my mom, or if it was my Super Man complex (not actually a thing) coming into play, but when I got the call mom was in the Emergency Department, I immediately went into fix-it mode.  … Continue reading You Ain’t Atlas – Caregiver