Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.head.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.head.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53]
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]
Greater Concord, NH
Highlighting Concord
Change City

Monique's Caregiving Story: A Nurse's Lesson

Posted on 11/18/24

Nov 2024 National Caregivers Month.jpg

Monique’s journey as a caregiver for her mother, Miette, involved tough choices and a relentless commitment to her well-being. As a retired nurse and a RN care manager, Monique brought a wealth of knowledge to the role.

“As a nurse, I had the advantage of knowing what medical questions to ask,” Monique reflects. “It is like every single adult needs an RN care manager.”

Her training gave her confidence to navigate the medical system, but this experience carried a unique weight—now she was caring for her own mother.

Living an hour and half away from her mom, Monique frequently drove to Maine to doctor appointments and coordinated with her siblings to ensure Miette’s daily needs were met. Her mother spoke primarily French, and Monique attended doctor’s appointments to bridge the language gap, ensuring Miette’s voice was heard.

“Having a relationship with the primary care physicians is key,” Monique emphasizes. She knew it was important to build trust and form a close collaboration with her mom’s healthcare providers.

When Miette began showing signs of dementia, Monique found herself in a position that once felt familiar as a professional but was now deeply personal. She invoked a Power of Attorney to manage her mother’s needs, an experience that took on new meaning.

Reflecting on that, Monique says, “All that time as a professional I have had people invoke a power of attorney, and now that it was my mother, it hit me.”

Eventually, Monique made the difficult decision to place Miette in a care facility. Financially, Miette’s modest savings covered initial expenses. Before Miette passed away in 2016, her final years were spent in comfort, first in a care facility and later in the dementia care unit at the same facility. Monique recognizes the gap in resources and hopes for more accessible support.

“It would be a big help if we could get Medicare to pay for some of these things—like care facilities,” she says, highlighting the strain many caregivers face.

From grocery shopping to organizing finances and attending doctor’s visits, Monique supported her mother through the many small and large tasks of life, while bearing the emotional weight of each decision, all while balancing her own life and career. Monique’s caregiving journey highlights the critical role caregivers play and how much their support can matter at every stage.
___________________________________________________________
For AARP caregiving resources, please visit www.aarp.org/caregiving
Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide
Upcoming AARP Events

AARP Events for Concord

View All AARP Events

image of two AARP membership cards
Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal
  • Immediate access to your member benefits
  • Discounts on travel and everyday savings
  • Subscription to AARP The Magazine
  • FREE second membership
Join AARP
Already a member? Renew or Print Card
Facebook

Contact AARP
in Concord

Facebook icon   Twitter icon
Return to top 
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]