Caregiver
Elderly Mother
United States
As an only child, it was my duty and honor to increasingly assist in home-care for my ailing elderly Mother, who worked hard (retiring after 30 years' civilian service from the Federal Government: The Department of Defense (USAF Strategic Air Command, DLA, US Army National Guard); and The Federal Aviation Administration) and sacrificed to give me a great childhood and education. I increasingly assisted her with house upkeep, tax preparation, home and retirement finances, medical bills administration, medication management, blood pressure monitoring, transportation to medical appointments and stores, laundry, house cleaning, cooking etc. in 2014 she was diagnosed with an inoperable aortic arch aneurysm. The surgeon said his best advice was for her to relax and enjoy life and manage her blood pressure treatment, which is what we did. I called her on my breaks and lunch every day while at work. The last time I spoke with her, on cellphone while on afternoon break at my DoD job, she was laughing and happy, she said she'd had a good morning and lunch and was writing, and felt like she'd like to take a nap. She passed away in her sleep on April 10, 2017.