Who I Am
About Me
Hello and thank you for visiting ForMyParentsCare.com. I’m Cay Boychenko, and I am honored to welcome you to this space dedicated to supporting and guiding those caring for their aging loved ones.
Having experienced the joys, challenges, and intricate facets of caring for my own parents, I recognize the vital need for a comprehensive, reliable and compassionate source of information and support. A few years ago, I found myself in the role of the primary custodian for both my parents. Witnessing my Mom’s initial signs of memory loss and impaired cognitive functions was a heart-wrenching experience. Simultaneously, my Dad, though mentally healthy, required physical assistance, especially in managing medications and attending doctor appointments. The complexities were evident, and it became clear that neither could entirely support the other.
Caring for my aging parents quickly unfolded into what felt like a full-time responsibility, a journey I was committed to navigating at every stage of their aging. Initially, in addition to my general social visits during the week, it involved more frequent visits – two to three times extra a week – checking on their well-being, reviewing medications, managing bills and banking, and sharing dinner together. As their needs grew, my role intensified to five to six visits per week. I found myself assisting with bathing, dressing, managing all finances, and handling various daily tasks that had become challenging for them. My Mom, a dedicated teacher for over 50 years, faced the cruel irony of her brain failing her.
While my siblings provided unwavering support, their physical distance limited their daily direct involvement. Living just 30 minutes away, I became the primary hands-on caregiver. Despite the geographical gaps, they managed to juggle their families, work, schedules, and lives to continuously call and visit our parents and provide me with some relief. The endless support of my brothers and sisters was a blessing and a treasure, and I felt more fortunate than many others in similar situations.
Recognizing the overwhelming demands of caregiving, it became evident that we needed some outside help. Back then, the internet was not as expansive as it is today, and my research was a limited effort. Finding essential products like waterproof pads, pill splitters, medication organizers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and Hoyer lifts, to name just a few, proved challenging, with limited information available online. While the landscape of information has evolved, the task of juggling caregiving with other life responsibilities remains a significant challenge.
On this website, I aim to share my experiences, heartfelt stories, and information on caregiving essentials and invite others to join our Community Support Forum.
ForMyParentsCare.com is not just a platform; it’s a community where individuals with a common goal will unite – ensuring the well-being, comfort, and dignity of our beloved parents and loved ones as they navigate this phase of life. This Community Support Forum is here for YOU! It is paramount to your loved ones’ care that you are supported and have a place to find comfort, understanding, answers and even a place to vent if needed. (And I can’t tell you how much an oasis like this would have helped me numerous times.)
Join me and others on this meaningful journey as we navigate the path of caregiving with love, empathy, and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for those we cherish so dearly. Together, let’s create a supportive community and make this journey a bit more manageable.