When my mum was diagnosed with kidney failure, our lives changed overnight.
Dialysis is now part of our routine, three times a week, four hours each session. Everything revolves around it. Work schedules, family plans, and even simple outings must be rearranged around dialysis days.
A typical dialysis day starts early. I help prepare my mum’s meals before her transport arrives to bring her to the dialysis centre. I pack her bag with snacks, a blanket, and warm clothing to keep her comfortable during treatment.
When she returns home, she is often exhausted and weak, sometimes giddy. Her legs ache, so I massage them before she rests. Before bed, I help set up her oxygen machine.
Then we prepare to do it all again.
Kidney failure is not just about dialysis. There are many medical appointments, long waiting hours at the hospital, and taxi rides back and forth. The process is intensive not just physically, but emotionally and financially. Medical costs add up, and sometimes I need to arrange for someone to look after her when I go to work.
But what many people do not see is what caregiving does to the caregiver.
There are nights I sleep at 2am. I ignore my own health to focus on my mum’s. Pushing her wheelchair gives me body aches. When her blood pressure fluctuates during dialysis, I feel stressed and anxious.
I have experienced caregiver burnout. There are days when I struggle with brain fog at work, find it difficult to concentrate, and feel overwhelmed managing everything alone.
Yet I continue.
Whenever I can, I accompany my mum to dialysis. I help check her weight, make sure she is warm, and stay with her when possible. I feel guilty leaving her alone because I know she feels safer and happier when I am there.
Through Caregiving Welfare Association’s caregiver support programmes, caregivers find relief, encouragement, and community. Here, they can pause, be heard, and regain strength to continue caring for their senior loved ones.
This World Kidney Day, help us support those caring for seniors with kidney failure. It is a journey that is relentless, demanding, and often carried quietly behind the scenes.
$45 supports one caregiver to attend a caregiver support programme. With $500, you can extend your support to 10 caregivers.
Donate here.