Welcome Wisdom

When “Someday” Becomes “Today”

by Jason Wu, ECM owner

On January 1st, my 84-year-old father began the New Year not with celebrations, but in the hospital—after a fall triggered by a rapid and unexpected decline in his mobility. One day he was mostly himself. A few weeks later, he was incontinent, unsteady, and profoundly changed.

At the same time, his cognition slipped sharply. What began as a diagnosis of white matter disease became a confirmation of vascular dementia. The man who once tracked every dollar, devoured books, and debated anything suddenly lost interest in all of it. Overnight, my sisters and I were sorting through legal and financial authority, long-ignored documents, and the practical realities of managing someone else’s world.

By the end of February, he’d been to the Emergency Room three times and spent nearly 10 days in the hospital. Recurrent UTIs—caused by his increasing incontinence—kept sending him into new spirals. Each week felt like a new crisis. And the truth is, we were not prepared.

By summer, we finally found our rhythm. My mother stepped into the role of full-time caregiver with courage and grace. We had routines, equipment, and a fragile balance that held us together.

Then October arrived.

My mother—the person keeping everything afloat—was diagnosed with aggressive leukemia. After almost one year of unexplained symptoms, a bone biopsy revealed the truth. Within a week, she began chemotherapy. Suddenly, the caregiver needed care, and the system we built around my father collapsed overnight.

With both parents now needing intensive support, my sisters and I found ourselves managing two complex, unpredictable care journeys at once. My father needed hands-on assistance with every daily task. My mother needed transportation, advocacy, monitoring, and a steady presence through chemo cycles.

What my family lived this year is what millions of families experience quietly every day. Aging changes everything—often without warning. A fall, an infection, or one caregiver’s health crisis can reshape an entire family system. And real caregiving requires coordination, teamwork, emotional resilience, and support.

Professionally, I’ve known these truths for years. This year, I felt them deeply.

But as hard as this year has been, it has also been filled with moments of profound gratitude. Gratitude for siblings who stepped up without hesitation. Gratitude for caregivers whose steady hands and kind hearts made each day safer. Gratitude for the families we serve, who reminded me that none of us walk this journey alone.

As we close out this year and look ahead to the next, I carry with me a renewed appreciation for preparation, partnership, and the power of a care team. A strong plan doesn’t prevent every challenge, but it makes them navigable. A team doesn’t replace family—it strengthens them. And professional support—care management, home care, and other services—can bring stability and peace in the moments families need it most.

Thank you for trusting Elder Care Management this year and allowing us to walk beside you.

Here’s to a new year filled with hope, clarity, and compassionate care.

 

Warmly,

Jason Wu, Elder Care Management owner