Hi everyone,

My name is Paul O'Brien and I am the 24/7 caregiver to my 89 year old mom with alzheimer's. I am in need of some help and support. I care for my mom literally 24/7 365. I am with her all day and all night. I even have my bed right next to her's in case she needs to use the bathroom at night, or to be there when she gets scared. It's overwhelming, sad, scary, and exhausting. I am so happy that I can help her, but after nearly a decade of helping her get dressed, bathe, toilet, and everything in between, my own health is starting to suffer. My blood pressure is horrendous, I have recently had surgery and my heart isn't in great shape.

While I am happy to give all of my time to my mom, I don't even have time to go to my own medical appointments, and had to postpone my own surgery until I could get someone to help watch my mom. I haven’t had a salary in years and have blown through my savings and my retirement . I haven't left the house on my own in years and haven't had any kind of a life outside of being there for my mom. I’m afraid that without some help, I will become useless to her.

My mom was a registered nurse in an operating room for 57 years until her illness took over. She never took a sick day and helped so many people; it’s my turn to take care of her.

I would like to hire respite care, but in my area, it costs $50 an hour on average and most, if not all agencies require a minimum of twenty hours a week. That's over $1,000 a week. that is not sustainable after all of the other expenses that we already pay monthly for my mom's care. Unless you are in this situation, I don't think most people understand how expensive caring for an adult with alzheimer's truly is. My mom has a modest pension that precludes her from qualifying for Medicare, but doesn't nearly pay for all of her expenses. I have not bought anything for myself in years and even cut my own hair…what’s left of it. Hahaha

if anyone would like to help, I will be forever grateful.

God bless you,

Paul