I am a live in home aide for an older woman. Long story short, our families are very good family friends, having known eachother forever, plus we are long distant cousins. I moved in with Jo last summer (June 2010) because I needed a place to stay, and she needed someone to make sure she eats right, takes her meds, and anything else that needs to be done. I don't get paid, just simply free room and board, *free reign* with the family bank account, and *free reign* with the family vehicle, all within reason of course.
I love Jo to death, she is like a second mom to me, even occasionally calling her mom (Momma Jo). But she is a severe diabetic whom has had three strokes, is completely blind in one eye, can barely see out of the other, and her stroke effected her walking to the point that with long distances she needs a wheelchair (grocery shopping, things of that nature). We fight on her diet, exercise, care of the dogs, her showers, well basically everything. She would rather just lay on the couch all day watching tv, eating junk and drinking (diet) soda all day. I of course, out of love, tend to get a bit *bossy* because sitting around eating what she wants, and doing what she wants, well it just isnt going to HELP her. I have even told her that I will protect her to the point of protecting her against herself. Today for supper was macaroni salad and burger (I made sure there were veggies in the macaroni salad and extra hard boiled egg for the protein, she is a carb addict). She started of course putting salt on every LAYER of her burger, this is an argument we have on a constant basis, she is also addicted to salt. She had a heart attack back in Oct, and had to have a stint, plus have carotid artery surgery. Perhaps I DO argue with her too often (I have that bad habit). But with NOT having an outside job, and not contributing with anything to the house (except for being the general housekeeper and bottlewasher, as her husband calls me, lol) I feel its important that I put everything I have into her health. Making sure she eats right, with a few cheats once in awhile, and does what she needs to. I'm working on picking my battles with her, since yeah the salt isn't THAT big of a deal, but she is on medicine for it. But her attitude on her high blood pressure meds, and diabetic meds is, "I take the meds so I can eat what I want, now hand me a donut, and I will be fine."
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest!
