Caregiving: Anyone else doing this alone?

My two siblings could not help monetarily or physically for various reasons when my mom moved in with us.
Things weren't too bad until she turned 90, and her needs started increasing. My husband worked two jobs so I could stay home with her. I finally hired a part-time caregiver because of my stress and fatigue.
I often thought, well, it won't get bad enough where I'm doing (insert medical things here that I'd never thought I'd be doing). But I always did and got used to it. Her caregiver was instrumental in surviving it all, as was my husband.
I learned that self-care is essential. Get out on a walk or in nature as much as you can. Consider hiring someone, even if they are part-time once a week. I wore myself to a frazzle and was on the verge of taking out a second mortgage and looking for the best facility I could find: migraines, digestion issues, back issues - much of it from stress. Most could have been avoided if I had taken better care of myself.
Despite all that, I felt honored that we could care for her here at home. She died peacefully, in the room I now write in, at 95 in November 2023.

Im the youngest of in the family, I care for my 90-year-old mother myself my sister provides logistical assistance
IE: rides to moms DR. appointments, etc. as my vision is limited due to mixed mechanism glaucoma. my brother is a whiner and cares about himself, 0 help. but I do not mind because I am blessed to have this time with mom.

After spending all morning searching for a nursing home who’ll provide short term respite cate for my dad, I discovered there isn’t much availability. Between renovations, change in the facility, etc,,,,options limited.

Then, I received a call he fell at home and was taken to the ER by ambulance. I met them there. Ran tests, he’s ok and home now. It’s never ending.

@ricmor2500 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I really admire your caring for your Mom without help. I hope you’ll read some of the other discussions with suggestions on self care. What do you do when you need time away?

I open this site it is very reassuring and helpful; I truly admire and respect all those who commit time and energy to share with the world on this delicate subject.

great husband

He was amazing. For ten years he worked two jobs so I could stay home with her. He always carefully walked her from the car to our kitchen, helping her negotiate stairs, after her eye injections. He drove on so many trips to the ER in the middle of the night without complaint.

Warms my heart. Thank you both.

I may explore hospice for my dad. Not sure he’ll qualify.

I just wondered if you had seniors helping seniors in your area?