We’ve collated several reader responses here. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share with us.<\/p>\n
When you can’t do more for an aging parent<\/a><\/p>\n Feelings of guilt are common among carers who wish they could do more for their ageing parents, says Carer’s Australia CEO Annabel Reid.<\/p>\n ‘Isolating, lonely and frustrating’<\/p>\n I had to give up work over a year ago to care for my 85-year-old mum.<\/p>\n I’m an only child. There is no other family as they are either dead or over 80.<\/p>\n I rely on my mum’s aging friends in their 70s and neighbours for very limited help.<\/p>\n It’s isolating, lonely and frustrating.<\/p>\n Mum and I are only 100 kilometres from the centre of Sydney, but it’s another planet as far as help is concerned.<\/p>\n I applied to have her assessed by My Aged Care in March. I’m still waiting.<\/p>\n I love my mum and we’re closer than ever.<\/p>\n It’s just hard when you can’t get through to people that there’s no support other than friends who you don’t want to impose on, as they have their own health issues.<\/p>\n \u2014 Ericka Lovell , 65, Southern Highlands, NSW<\/p>\n ‘There’s always guilt’<\/p>\n There’s always this guilt; do I go see my mum with advanced dementia in the nursing home, or spend time with my grandson who also needs me?<\/p>\n \u2014 Roxanne Breccia, 65, Sydney\/Gadigal Country, NSW<\/p>\n ‘My life is on hold’ Naomi Thompson says her life is on hold while caring for her dad. (Supplied)<\/p>\n I am a carer for my dad. Dad is unwilling to trust anyone but me, meaning there are no support services.<\/p>\n I have to be everything, do everything, know everything and fix everything.<\/p>\n Walking away would mean him ending up in hospital and much worse off.<\/p>\n I’m unable to get support, unable to walk away, and putting my own life on hold.<\/p>\n I can’t work, I can’t look for love, I can’t travel.<\/p>\n There’s no way forward and no way out. And I imagine I’m not the only one who’s in a similar situation.<\/p>\n \u2014 Naomi Thompson, 33, Orange, NSW<\/p>\n ‘Every night I went to see her’<\/p>\n I looked after my mum at home. It is the most difficult thing that I’ve ever had to do.<\/p>\n It’s very hard and draining if you don’t get sibling support.<\/p>\n Mum had her first stroke on her birthday and had no choice but to go into a nursing home.<\/p>\n Every night I went to see Mum to settle her in. She hated it and I felt it. Eight months later, and two more strokes, I couldn’t do it anymore.<\/p>\n If you need support:Carer Gateway<\/a> 1800 422 737Lifeline<\/a> on 13 11 14Beyond Blue<\/a> on 1300 224 636<\/p>\n I couldn’t see her for a couple of months because I’d just cry.<\/p>\n When she passed after her fourth stroke, I missed her. But I was relieved for her. It is still the most difficult decade of my life, and I still miss my mum.<\/p>\n Hardest thing I’ve ever done but slowly feeling proud and honoured.<\/p>\n \u2014\u00a0John Sellwood, 61, Wagga Wagga, NSW<\/p>\n<\/p>\n