Self-Introduction
Nice to meet you. My name is Fumoneko.
I am a salaryman in my late 30s with a father who requires nursing care level 2 and a mother who requires support level 1.
I write on note primarily about caring for my parents.
Background
I spent my childhood through university in a regional city before getting a job at a company in Tokyo.
I wasn't particularly dissatisfied with my work, but I had a strong desire to return to my hometown, so I changed jobs and moved back when I was 31.
I still live in my hometown with my wife and two daughters.
I am a working caregiver who balances a full-time job with caring for my parents.
My Encounter with Caregiving
The need for caregiving began when my parents were hospitalized.
One day, I went to my parents' house for an errand and found both of them collapsed and unable to move.
My parents weren't exactly in perfect health, but I had assumed they were managing okay, so I never imagined something like this would happen.
I called an ambulance to take them to the hospital, and both my mother and father were admitted.
It sends shivers down my spine to think what might have happened if I had found them even a little later.
I can only say it was pure luck that we managed to prevent the worst-case scenario.
That was my introduction to caregiving. From then on, it was a whirlwind of days.
Shopping for items needed for hospitalization
Cleaning up my parents' house, which had become a hoarder's home
Applying for nursing care certification
Selecting nursing care providers
And so on; I fumbled my way through one thing after another that I had never done before.
However, no matter how much I did, more tasks kept appearing, and I truly felt what it meant to be dizzyingly busy.
Then my parents were discharged, and full-scale home care began.
Since then, thanks to good fortune, I have been blessed with wonderful care providers, and with the help of an excellent care manager and home helpers, I am managing to care for my parents.
Why I decided to start note
It hasn't even been a year since I started caring for my parents, but the experiences I've had since they needed care have been incredibly intense.
There have been many painful, difficult, sad, and tough moments.
But at the same time, there have also been many fun, happy, laughable, and educational moments.
I have faced my parents' aging head-on, which I had previously ignored, seriously considered what I could do for them, and taken action one step at a time.
There was so much to learn and reflect upon from that experience.
And then I thought.
"I want to share my caregiving experience with someone."
"By sharing my experience, perhaps I can be of help to someone."Caregiving is full of unknowns, and it is something you would rather not think about if possible.
However, just knowing a little bit about caregiving can make your caregiving life much easier.
Of this, I am certain.
If someone who reads my notes learns even a little about caregiving, gets through the initial chaotic period of caregiving more easily, and is able to lead a happy life, there would be nothing that makes me happier.
I would like to continue writing in my own small way, within the limits of what I can manage.
I would be happy if you could read them when you have the time.
Thank you for your support.