#26 – My mom in Chapel Hill, NC is a widow. It’s time for me to become more involved in her life.

Click here to see the prior item in this series:  What can I do to take care of myself?

#26 – My mom’s a widow, and I realize that it’s time for me to become more involved in her life.  So far, my sister has been doing most of the work. What are the most important points to remember as I begin?

Start by checking with your sister; ask what would help her the most.   And talk to your mom to see if there is something special you can do for her.

Ask your friends who are involved in caregiving if they have suggestions about ways to help. Find out more about resources where your mom and sister live that might be useful for them.  Develop a good understanding of your mom’s health issues and other needs.  Visit as often as you can. Not only might you be able to notice something that needs to be done and can be taken care of from a distance, but you can also relieve your sister for a short time.

Caregiving—whether long-distance or hands-on—can be difficult and time-consuming, but it can also be rewarding. Even from a distance, you can help make your mom’s life easier.

Click here to see the final item in this series:  A Summary of Things to Keep in Mind

Acorn wishes to acknowledge the National Institute on Aging for this valuable content.

 

Within Acorn’s service area of Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding areas in North Carolina (Hillsborough, Pittsboro, Morrisville, Cary, and Apex) the following resources may be especially helpful:

  • Orange County Department on Aging, 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516, (919) 968-2070
  • Durham Center for Senior Life, 406 Rigsbee Avenue – Suite 202, Durham, North Carolina   27701, (919) 688-8247
  • Chatham County Council on Aging, 365 North Carolina 87, Pittsboro, North Carolina   27312, (919) 542-4512
  • Triangle J Area Agency on Aging, 4307 Emperor Boulevard
- Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703, 919-558-2711
  • Resources for Seniors (Wake County), 1110 Navaho Dr.  – Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27609, 919-872-7933