Dignity in old age: caring for Zanele

I'm caring for my mother, who's 78. After worsening Parkinson's disease Zanele can no longer manage alone. A nursing home would cost far more than we have, and Zanele desperately wants to stay at home. I work 40 hours a week and have cut back to look after her, but we need a part-time carer. Zanele worked all of her life as a seamstress, and raised 3 children. Now we're trying to give some of that care back. Medication, a hospital bed and a carer for three months will make a huge difference. The carer will be employed through a registered agency and paid directly. I'll share the agency invoices. Where the $850 goes: • Medication and prescriptions: $170 • Part-time carer (three months): $590 • Hospital bed and mattress rental: $90 Every share and every dollar helps.