
Latinos caring for their aging parents don’t always get the support they need. There are cultural expectations to care for family members at home, as well as a lack of bilingual services.
We meet a 26-year-old woman who’s been caring for her mother, who has early onset Alzheimer’s disease, since she was 16. Paola had to make decisions about her mother’s finances, while watching her mother lose her ability to feed herself. Paola struggled with depression, and worried that she couldn’t do enough for her mother. As Paola was busy rescuing her mother, in the end, she needed some rescuing herself.
Featured image: Paola and her family (Photo by Eilís O’Neill)
Wow!! What a story!! Paola is my cousin and of course Miriam my ant. I had no idea that Paola went through a depression. I feel almost guilty for not being there to help with a least encouragement words. Is amazing how a young girl can do such a wonderful job taking care of her mother, and at the same time put her self through school. Paola you are one of a kind. Paola please know that if you ever need a friend, I’m here! I love you girl. ❤️