We have a thread on what our LOs did before AD, and on other threads some of us have shared, individually, what we did/do. Thought it'd be interesting to focus on what we are doing or used to do before we became fulltime caregivers. We saw some similarities among our LO's. Maybe there are some among us too.
I was originally a Children's Librarian, in charge of a small community library, then did accounting clerk work for the city, and finally, until last October, was a telemarketer for a small home improvement company. College educated and all jobs required a lot of public contact.
I was in sales for a large corporation and was traveling too much to be a caregiver. I left my job 2 years ago and have been at home. I am working on getting a real estate lic. this is something that will not require over nite stays.
I had my own business for dressmaking and alterations. Was also in business with another woman for alterations and dry cleaning until I realized she was keeping the cash from clients on my day off. That was the end of that venture and no she wasn't in business for more than a month after I left!
I was a Medical Assistant for a Family Practice and I loved it. I left because the worry over Jim was getting to be too much. It was an extremely busy practice and I decided it was time to go before I made a mistake that would harm someone. I have been a fulltime caregive now for 5 months.
I was a Funeral Director, and I, too, loved it. After many, many years, I had to give it up after DH's dx. I couldn't do the 'on call' 24/7 anymore, leaving him in the middle of the night to attend business. I am sill working full time (have to due to finances) as an office manager (ugh!). I will be a full time caregiver in time.
DH and I worked together in our own business before we got married - a recruiting consulting business. Sold it - moved from FL to Ohio. Got into the title insurance business and owned my own title insurance company. Sold it to a large attorney firm and went to work for them running it. When DH retired we moved to KY and I went to work for another law firm, in charge of the real estate department and closings. Was there 21 years before I retired a few years ago. I still go in a couple hours on 2-3 days a week - whenever I want to. They don't care when I come or go - on my own. It's wonderful and they have been wonderful to me.
I was an executive secretary for an attorney before kids, then a stay-at-home mom, and then I worked at home helping a consultant I know with human resource, recruiting issues. The working at home was great to keep an eye on my husband, but now with the economy and no one hiring, I'm a full-time caregiver.
I was a medical assistant/nurses aid from the time I was 16, until I turned 21, had my first child and my divorce. So at 23, as single parent I went to school, got my LVN and an AA degree and have been an LPN/VN (depends on state) ever since. The past 5 years however, I've been full time caregiving at home. First Mom and Dad, then DH. Now that I'm a widow, near 50????? Well, I still haven't decided what I want to do when I grow up.
I have been an RN for 50 years. Last thirty as a home health nurse. Did not prepare me for my husband when he was diagnosed with FTD. He has been in a dementia facilty for over two years. Mostly non responsive to everything. Hospice is overseeing his care.
As most of you know, I am a doctor. The first 14 years I did primary care and pulmonary disease in New Jersey. Then I got smart and moved to Maine to head the pulmonary section of Eastern Maine Medical Center. I did that for 16 years, then went back into primary care until I retired in 1997. I still "work" 2 days a month at the Free Clinic in Ellsworth, Maine, while my wife is at an adult day care center. Otherwise I am doing full-time caregiving.
Moved out of the country when i was 21yrs old and married my second husband lived in central america for 18yrs. we had our own manufacturing/distribution corp. to all central american countries of our own brand cosmetics lines. i oversaw the pharmaceutical end and distribution for over a decade.divorced- moved back to usa, got insurance licensing and was regional director for a smaller insurance firm for central tx district. retired in '96 and took pilots course,and became legal asst for DH while we traveled around the country finishing up his law cases before his retirement in '99. full time caregiver since 2000. divvi
got teaching cert. when the 3 kids were all in school,but didn't last at that - too many kids all day long. Went to work at Brown as a secretary then took over computer stuff in one office which spread to the whole administrative building. Did that for 20 years and retired in 1997 at 62, travelled. Still do occasional web sites and a lot of volunteer computer stuff and so on.
Got a business BA, and worked in transportation logistics for 25 yrs....Then started my own business in lawn and home maintenance....I found something that I enjoyed doing, and never will have to work another day in my life....
I taught junior and senior high math for four years, then stayed at home with our children for 10 years. I began teaching college math on a part time basis, did that for several years, and then decided to get a Ph.D. in math education. My last two jobs were teaching math courses for college students who were planning to be elementary teachers and doing research - first at Purdue and then at Illinois State. I retired four months before husband diagnosed with amnestic MCI.
Was a Human Resources Manager in hotels, did hiring, firing, payroll and was also Administrative Assistant to the General Manager. Did Manager on Duty shifts, from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm in a rotation with all the other managers, (Sales, Banquet, Rooms Division, Food and Beverage, Maintenance) usually once or twice a month, so that the General Manager could have a night off. Loved it and even filled in at Front Desk when needed. DH retired but I needed to wait until eligibility for Social Security. Day finally came and I retired and it seems that is when he started to show signs of dementia now that I look back on it. That was about 3 years ago. Decline has become rapid since January of this year. Spent the entire day today living in the year we were married (1961) because that is where he is now. Thank God for this website. I have learned so much and it really has made the ride a little easier. At least I know how to recognize the different phases as they occur. And I am still thinking about getting that dog.
Worked 30 years for the State in various capacities, retiring 10 years ago at age 50 from a mgmt position in human resources. For the past 9 years I have done some volunteering in the community and currently work one or two days a month at a local business doing reception/clerical work.
Amazing. In 10 hours, 19 entries, counting mine. What I see are highly intelligent, organized, people- oriented,dedicated, loyal men and women. None of us were "prepared" for caregiving, but we have an awful lot of useful skills we are applying in new ways from what we used to do. Plus we have the ability to network here for the expertise we lack. As phranque and others have agreed, we are the Knights, the Warriors caring and fighting for our LOs. None of us need feel inadequate. We may have come to this role uninformed, but we've learned in a hurry. We're pretty good.
Started off in the berry and bean fields at age 6 (this was when you could work in the fields at any age), then at 16 was old enough to work at the cannery. After graduation went to medical assisting school but got married right after graduation. Went back to MA where they didn't use MA, so worked as a nurse's assistant in a hospital on the 11-7 shift. Other jobs over the years were making air mattresses; building 4 cylinder outboard engines; office clerk; owned own print shop; fast food cook for three years; desk clerk; office manager/bookkeeper for plant nursery; free lance bookkeeping; and latest was Workamper. Since Art was always reliable and loved printing, I was free to try various jobs. Depending on how he progresses, we will workamp again, but at low key jobs that pay less. Once he qualifies for SS or SSDI, then we can do those jobs. Due to employment be so lousy, we are living on unemployment. Art ran out of WA unemployment benefits, so are having to draw on the earnings last summer in Nevada which is 1/3 of what he was getting.
I worked as a stenographer for an insurance company, got married and quit that job 8 months later. Went to work in Materiel for the air force at Boeing until my first child came along. then I was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years. Went to work at a temporary agency and was home every summer, spring break, Christmas break, and every time one of the kids was too sick to go to school, I didn't work. That''s the beauty of tempping. I got my AA when the youngest one was in hs and went to work as an executive secretary and managed the fuel accounts for a small regional airline until I retired in 1993. Then did a ton of volunteer work which I just loved. DH was dx 3 years ago come August with MCI. He now has AD and is probably a stage 5, with some stage 6.
I am now a full-time caregiver but still try to do some of my volunteer work via the telephone and e-mail. I don't drive any more so I can't make calls in person. But it's ok. I still get tons of stuff done while DH is watching TV.
I worked 25 years for the federal government. The first two for BLM as a clerical, the for SSA first as a Service Rep and then a Claims Rep. That is where I met my DH. He was a Claims Rep and sat right across the aisle from me. He started shooting rubber bands at me and I had to have my then 12 year old son teach me how to shoot rubber bands. He finally asked me if I would "do him a favor" and go to dinner with him. The rest is history. My 16 yr old daughter never quite let me forget it: she was inducted into the national honor society that night and I was the only parent not there (Bad mother!) I retired almost 10 years ago at age 55,but they asked me to come back. I went back for 6 months until the weather started getting bad. Had a great time of retirement, then DH started going downhill about 6 years ago.
gmaewok--I worked for SSA for 32 yrs--4 yrs in a district office (WV) and the rest at central office. Sure glad I hung in there for the retirement and health bens.
Was a topless dancer!!!!!!!!!! Don't think so...much more boring. Retired from a university health care system to become fulltime caregiver. Worked as a per diem nurse while the children were young. Started out as an intensive care unit nurse and after several years of school received my MBA. Held many leadership positions, Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President for Patient Services and finally at the system level Senior Vice President for Cancer Services. Continue to serve on several boards. Continue to have a very BIG mouth when it comes to quality patient care.
A couple of other things I note here: a lot of us DO do volunteer work, and I think that may be one of the biggest keys to being able to tolerate our confinement as caregivers. Even if it's on the computer or otherwise in the home, it's a window to the wider world. I feel for those who have to quit work early and bump straight into fulltime caregiving without any structured activities already in place.
Second: I volunteered for a bunch of Earthwatch projects before I couldn't any more. Not as many as some people, but as a "field rep" for them for years I met many other people who did this kind of volunteeering. Earthwatch pairs scientists who have an interesting field project - geologists, anthropologists, biologists, archaeologists, etc - with untrained volunteers willing to do field work with them for a couple of weeks, preferably in some exotic location. The scientists find that the people who volunteer (and pay for the priviledge, though it's tax-deductible) are like the people here: from a variety of backgrounds but mostly intelligent, thoughtful.. and they bring a lot of new perspectives to the projects. The volunteers' lives are enriched beyond measure by their experiences, of course.
I think we do the same here with our connections to the wider worlds.
I sold ladies shoes in a large dept. store for the last 6 years and LOVED IT. I had to quit in March because John needed full time care. He is now in a nh and I have decided to make that permanent. I plan on doing housecleaning on a cash only basis as Medicaid limits my income to a spousal allowance. If I can get this up and running I may be able to keep my condo until the market improves.Wish me luck as I do to all of you.
cs, that sounds like great plans. Lots of ladies do housework anymore and make good money. As bad as I hate cleaning, I don't mind so much doing someone else's "dirt". The lady I have is in her upper 30's and in 2 hours time she can clean my whole house (except basement), rearrange my nicknacks, wipe down the blinds and windows, leave my kitchen neat and shinning while watching my dh.
I seem to be running out of steam now at age 79, but I have worked hard, starting at 12 when I worked for wages picking up and sorting potatoes after a digger had gone through the field. Different crops, different times of the year. Had to work to stay in school. Father a ne'er-do-well. Four brothers and a mother who had a hard life. Was a baby sitter, cook for family of 10 (age 13), house cleaning,fish and chicken cook at food drive-in, waitress in posh dining room (fired), Finished school,went into nurses' training, worked as cook on our annual vacations from the nursing school. R.N: general duty medical and surgical, special duty, newborn nursery (Illinois), raised 3 children. Started writing and being published. Took refresher course and back into nursing, looking for that ideal job that would be easy on my back and give me time for writing: Pion therapy for tumours, Emergency Admitting, Maternity Admitting, General Admitting, Terminal Case office, Urology booking, gyny booking, doctor's office, Special duty, Weight Loss clinic, general duty on gyny floor, float to neurology surgery floor, project worker of oral history of nursing in this province, prenatal instructor at maternity hospital. Retired. Wrote more. A-D entered the door.
A two year stint in the US Navy following high school, most of which was spent in electronics technician training, set me off on a career path in electronics engineering that lasted for about 35 years until my retirement at age 60 in 1989. Married my DW a year after getting out of the Navy, and she, plus the GI Bill, put me through GA Tech. Joined a small 70-person electronic R&D company in Florida and watched it grow to more than 10,000 employees before I retired from it. Actual hands-on engineering in the earlier years gave way to more of a marketing role in the later years – preparing technical proposals and presentations in pursuit of large aerospace-related Government contracts, and then later in pursuit of commercial business overseas. The whole experience was enjoyable – working for the same company continuously for 34 years except for a three-year break when male menopause persuaded me to seek fame and fortune renting RV’s to Disney World bound tourists in the early 1970s -- which episode was a financial failure, but made me a stronger and better person. My DW’s AD didn’t begin to manifest itself seriously enough to impact our lives much until just a couple of years ago, so I feel very fortunate that we were able to pursue our dream of building a country home, shared hobby interests, RV travel, etc. for a good part of 20 years before I really had to assume a 24/7 caregiver role.
After reading all the interesting stuff here, I feel compelled to elaborate on my dull first effort. After college, I was office manager for my dad's photoengraving small business for a year. Then, after dumping my pinned girlfriend for cheating on me, I got an appointment to the U.S. Foreign Service and went to the U.S. Mission and Consulate General in Geneva. After just missing the Foreign Service Officer exam by 5 points, I decided to quit (4 months later) and return via the S.S. America from England. Back in CA, I was the Test Dept. Administrator for Philco Corp. in Palo Alto, during which time I met DW. After a couple of years, we decided I should go to UNM (Albuquerque) to get my MBA. After that, off to Dallas to Texas Instruments as Cost Accountant for a yr. then train as a Programmer. After 3 yrs of that, went to Baylor Univ. Med. Ctr. as Programming Mgr., then 3 yrs. later to Newport News as Systems Analyst, and that started that career of 20 yrs. at several different firms. 'Nuff said.
Lots of interesting stuff here, I didn't realize I was in such distinguished company. I attended Kentucky Wesleyan College and have completed numerous hours of continuing education at Georgia Tech. I have worked in the general construction industry all of my working life and have held postions with various construction companies ranging fron estimator, chief estimator, project manager and vice president.
I am presently employed as a regional level manager and administrator for one of the contry's largest heavy/civil contractors. I planned to retire about four years ago but was asked to stay on another four or five years. I have almost completed that work committment and plan on retiring as soon as it has been fulfilled.
I don't have any experience in my background that prepared me for my role as a caregiver.
I work part-time (3 days/week) for a home care agency as a registered nurse casemanager. I had been working full time until about a year ago, but it was getting more difficult to keep up with my job, home upkeep, and giving my husband the increased attention he was needing. So...I will keep working as long as I can, we can use the money, but there will come a time when I will want to and need to be home with him more. Despite my 30+ years as a professional caregiver, I still do not feel prepared or always capable of being a caregiver to the love of my life. It is truly the most difficult assignment I have ever been given!
I have worked 32 years for the federal government. The first 25 years I was safe tech. If they had a safe they couldn’t open I was the guy they called. For the last 7 years I have worked in security and am now the Deputy Director of Physical Security for the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast for the Department of the Navy (I am a civilian). I am still able to work full time because my father lives and is there when I am at work. If not for that I would have to retire to be with Kathryn.
Before I went to work for the government I worked as a performing magician in New Mexico. I went to work for the government because my first wife got Hodgkin’s disease and I needed a job that would allow me to be home with her.
Neat, JimB. My favorite uncle was an amateur musician and used to buy me magic tricks from that place that advertised in the back of comic books and other places. This made me aware of magicians and I always adored them. Special spot for them!!
I worked several years as a legal secretary for a law firm, took several years off to raise kids then worked for many years as an administrative assistant for a regional airline. Nothing in my background prepared me for caregiving an AD husband.
Have degree in industrial electronics but never worked full-time in that field. Worked for 7 years as a probation officer. When my wife became a school teacher we thought it would be nice to have summers off together with the family, so went to grad school and became a school social worker. Worked 35 years in special education with emotionally disturbed kids. Loved putting 4 or 5 kids in my van and taking off for the day, exploring. I'm an advocate of Unschooling. Toward the end, 80% of my time was spent doing paperwork and sitting in meetings so I was happy to retire. Was regional coordinator for Ralph Nader's 2008 presidential campaign. Currently a stay-at-home caregiver, organic gardener, beekeeper and distance learning instructor, with lots of time for contemplation.
This was like reading a fascinating book! We have a little bit of everything. I have done many jobs....the ones that stand out are: Mall Marketing Director (shopping on my breaks was so very convenient); watercolor artist (I exhibited, sold my work and taught art to children and adults) and am currently a school Speech Therapist. I work with children ranging in age from 4 to 14 years old. About 50% of the children I work with are in self-contained/functional skills classrooms. I love my job and that being said, am very happy to be looking at the front end of a summer off. I am also currently working on getting my masters degree. I really miss doing my artwork but when B. got sick and couldn't work, I had to make some steady, reliable money and needed the benefits. So I was fortunate to get the job I have now.
I am guessing that some of the work skills we all acquired, be it managing time, creative thinking, or work ethic; has prepared us a bit for this Alz journey.
P.S. Jim B, I am thinking some magic would come in real handy at times!
Shoegirl, That would be great, that is one trick I'd give my right arm for.
DanielP, Just curious, Are you having any problem with this bee thing that everybody is talking about? Is there anything to it? I hear a lot of talk about the honey bee's dying off.
I have always worked with individuals with developmental disabilities( Mentally Retarded).I am a residential program director and it is a job I love. In one way perhaps my job has made things easier. Talking to individuals at a level that they can accept and understand is part of what I do. It's always been a case of breaking down information and communicating it in a way that allows the individual the feeling that they have the right to make a decision.
I have not had the struggle that some face thinking that they are "lying" to their loved one. For me I see it as not providing information that can cause anxiety or confusion. I try very hard to only provide information to my husband that makes him feel good. I choose not to see it as lying but in fact to consider it a kindness.
That being said, the rest of care giving has been very difficult for me . I never thought i would be here and certainly had hopes for an entirely different future.
My DW was a teacher also, Dan. She liked 2nd grade the best, and always loved the kids. She couldn't teach after her brain surgery at age 46. So sad....
I worked as an Accountant for many years in the Oil and Gas business. Does not prepare you to be a caregiver!! Had always taken art classes and loved being creative. I retired in my fifties to pursue my art interest. I did oil painting for several years. Now I am trying to get back to making and selling my jewelry. It is difficult to be creative and be in my studio and still watch my dh, so it has been on the back burner for a few years. Now that he is in a care home, I am finding my creativity again.
Texas Joe: My wife taught first, second and third grades and she also liked second best. She used to say that first graders were not independent enough and by third they were starting to develop an "attitude."
Anchor20: I've just gotten back into beekeeping as a hobby after being away for 15 years. The problem you mentioned is called Colony Collapse Disorder and is reported to be causing a decline in bee population. It's a behavioral thing where the bees just don't return to the hive; lots of theories but nobody knows for sure what's causing it. So far I haven't had problems but I have notice a decline in the number of feral colonies (wild bees) around here in recent years.
Dan, my wife said the SAME THING about why she liked second best. She also taught first and third, but mostly second.
Carosi, nothing prepared me for caregiving...if I had wanted to be one, I'd have gone to med school or been a male nurse. Heck, I didn't even like to take care of my own kids when they were sick. DW did all that, and I just followed orders from her. Yessiree, that's why I got an MBA and CPA license...to change poopy Depend pants, cook, clean, wash, and all that fun stuff. I'm having so much fun I could just s--t.
Thanks, and you're right, Vickie. That's why I love to watch the Mon. night lineup of sitcoms, from Big Bang Theory thru Rules of Engagement.
Carosi, sorry I sounded bitter, but its just that this is not the way we envisioned our retirement....it was supposed to be doing whatever we wanted, from napping, to volunteering, to traveling, gardening, you name it. So I am not happy about the cards dealt us, but we don't have a choice to stay or quit the game...stay it is.