Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
This week our guest is Janice Campbell, a veteran homeschooling mom of four boys, author, and speaker. Janice, welcome to the program!

Janice Campbell:
Hi Mike, I’m delighted to be here.

Mike:
As the population of the United States ages, more families are facing the decision of what to do with aging parents or grandparents. Janice, would you tell our listeners a little about your experience with caregiving for your grandparents?

Janice: I was raised by my grandparents, so when my grandfather began to develop Alzheimer’s in 1987, it was only natural that they came to me for care. We cared for my grandfather until he went home to be with the Lord in 1992, and for my grandmother until last year when she moved to a nearby nursing home at the age of 97. Our four boys grew up knowing their grandmother in a way that wouldn’t have been otherwise possible. My husband and I learned to work together through some very difficult situations. We found that caregiving for older relatives involves many hard choices. It changed our lives in ways we couldn’t foresee. It was a time of great difficulty, and also a time of laughter, tears, and so many blessings we could hardly count them.

Mike:
Thanks so much, Janice! We’ll be talking about caregiving while you’re homeschooling all this week. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.