To prepare for caregiving or not to prepare? I ask this question after meeting a middle-aged woman at a recent book-signing I participated in at a local Chapter's bookstore, She was unwilling to accept the possibility of her ever being required to provide care for her mother. Her mother, at 83 years old, remained the picture of good health ... she walked briskly each day and her mind was as sharp as ever.
Looking towards the future remains a person's own choice. As an advocate of preparation, I recommend planning ahead - even with these uncertain times, there are many things that you and your family can prepare for. With that said, I must add that I do not want you to completely drop your own life in expectation (I can relate this to sitting by the telephone waiting for a phone call which may or may not ever occur).
Nor do I want to instill fear into you. You may never need to step forward as a caregiver. Your parent may peacefully pass away while sleeping overnight ... if so, consider this a blessing.
Make some modest plans now considering what may happen with Mom or Dad. Consider what might happen to either of them and secure help where this will be needed. Might you need to find a qualified home renovator to refurbish the parental home to allow for wheelchair access within it? Who in your family will do what? Could you tour one or two long-term care facilities in your city/town to determine its appropriateness?
But, by all means, don't put your own life "on-hold" with an anticipation for the worst. Perhaps your parent will live for another 10 - 15 years? In the meantime, you have your own life, your work, your family to attend to.
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