Idaho caregiver balances full-time job, 24-hour care for aging mother

Carla Romagnano, a longtime grocery-store bookkeeper in Idaho, took on round-the-clock care for her 84-year-old mother after a serious fall and a dementia diagnosis. An in-home caregiver was hired, but Romagnano eventually brought her mother into her own residence in October 2023, arranging the home for safety with a walker, commode, and constant supervision. The sudden death of her father from sepsis left her solely responsible for both the household and her mother’s needs.

She works full-time, sleeps on a couch to be near her mother at night, and travels 600-800 miles annually for appointments and prescriptions. Romagnano relies on a union-backed grocery employer for income and attends a caregiving group twice a month for advice and emotional support. Despite the strain, she strives to keep her mother active in community outings and family activities.