Tough... Tough Times... Tough Decisions... by Rita Merienne

Moving your loved one into Aged Care is never going to be easy. There are so many emotions to deal with – there is a lot of advice on where to go and how to pay for it - but there is nothing about dealing with your emotions. We are here to ease your way and help you through this difficult time. In the last couple of years things have changed. My sisters and I became our father’s care givers, our roles have been reversed. How do we handle it? How does he handle it? Lots of emotions rushing about, harsh words but more importantly changes to all our lives! How do we cope, how do we deal with this new role? There have been tears, angry words and lots of laughs along the way. Many decisions made and changed but amongst all the changes we have never stopped loving or caring for our father or each other. It has been a long struggle but a very worthwhile journey which I’d like to share with you. I am reminded of a motivational quote I use regularly “It’s not winning or losing but the journey”, I think I might change that a bit. “The journey may be tough and filled with many turns, twists and pot holes but never ever forget the reason you are taking the journey”. Whilst caring for your parent you may have been taken a number of different journeys before it brought you to the Aged Care driveway - you need to remember why you have taken this journey. It may be for a number of reasons that you have embarked on this journey and it will be tough at times to keep going but the reason you have to keep in the forefront of your mind is the reason that will be the catalyst for your decisions is a very simple one. You want the best possible care for your parent now that they cannot care for themselves. Just as they have always provided the best possible care for you.