My name is Poocie! I'm the oldest daughter of my parents. My dad is in an alzheimers facility. He's 85 years old. Most days, he calls me by my brother's name, but I'm fine with that. We kept him at home for three years after his stroke, which brought the dementia to the fore. It was rough. After a lot of PT and OT, he returned to the gym, etc...though he had to use a walker. By the end of the year, his case had worsened to where he had to have help with his personal care daily. My mom was in tears DAILY!! After the in-home caregivers grew weary, we decided on an alzheimers facility. Even there, I'm there EVERY DAY!! I'm worn out from carrying the burden of both parents' declining mental and physical faculties. I just want to be around folks who can help me carry on. I'm 62 years old. My siblings are involved with their care as well. However, the OLDEST carries all of the family's baggage.
