Notes From The Problem Child | The Caregiver Space

When caregiving feels like dad and me vs. the hospital

by Arthur Roeser | Jul 11, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Finding Caregiver Support, Grief, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child | 5 comments

Every step in the recovery process was delicate and had a potential setback, every remedy had a potential side effect.

Why does progress always feel painfully slow?

by Arthur Roeser | Jul 4, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child | 0 comments

It feels like whatever you want to happen quickly, doesn’t, and whatever you’d prefer to deal with later won’t wait.

Caregiving: the memories, dreams and delirium

by Arthur Roeser | Jun 27, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child | 4 comments

One caregiver recounts the dreams his father once had, the soon-to-be-diagnosed delirium his father suffers from and the memories triggered by the first days caregiving.

The hospital’s rules vs. the caregiver’s expectations

by Arthur Roeser | Jun 20, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Finding Caregiver Support, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child | 3 comments

I quickly learned that hospitals abide by their own set of rules and not at all in tune with my expectations as a caregiver.

Caregiving, Without Answers

by Arthur Roeser | Jun 13, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child | 0 comments

I lay there thinking about all the questions about dad’s health– there were still no answers.

Step into the caregiver ring: when the fight for your loved one begins

by Arthur Roeser | Jun 6, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child, Planning | 2 comments

I had entered the caregiver ring, stepped inside and rose to the bell to fight alongside my dad and family. We were determined to find out what was wrong with him and get him better. But it wouldn’t be that easy.

Is this the last goodbye?

by Arthur Roeser | May 30, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Death & Dying, Housing, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child | 0 comments

I wondered if this would indeed be the time. And would I be too late to say goodbye?

Beginning Caregiving with Tears, Prayer and Love

by Arthur Roeser | May 24, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child | 0 comments

I asked that I could have at least one more connection with him, that I could tell him I love him and that he’d know that love was coming from me.

When signs of trouble aren’t clear: the unknown and unpredictable in caregiving

by Arthur Roeser | May 16, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child, Planning | 8 comments

This is part two of Notes from the Problem Child. Read part one here. The problems with my dad started last Spring. To set this up, actually, there were troubles way before then. The dynamic my brother, sister and I had with mom and dad was the sort of thing that...

Clutter: when caregiving doesn’t wrap up neatly

by Arthur Roeser | May 9, 2015 | Baby Boom Generation, Caring for a Parent, Housing, Long Term Caregiving, Notes from the Problem Child | 7 comments

This is part one of Notes from the Problem Child On my father’s 92nd birthday, my mom, brother and I marked the occasion by getting rid of all his clothes. He wouldn’t be needing them anymore. By that time, he’d been dead nearly 5 weeks. Two thoughts echoing inside...