Caring for an aging parent is never easy, especially when pain and unanswered questions are involved.
In 2025, I spent five weeks in Buffalo, New York, caring for my mom during a serious health crisis. She had been told she was living with fibromyalgia, but her pain continued to worsen. We knew something wasn’t right and that she needed to see a Spanish-speaking rheumatologist so she could clearly communicate her symptoms.
Before we received answers, her condition escalated quickly. She spent 16 hours in the emergency room before being transferred, and after 25 hours she was finally admitted at Erie County Medical Center. During this time, doctors worked to understand unexplained bleeding in her mouth. We also learned she had been taking multiple medications, including instructions to take eight pills in one day each week, which added to her complications.
Because of the bleeding and pain, she stopped eating and drinking. We noticed weight loss and daily confusion, which made the situation even more frightening.
Eventually, we learned she had been misdiagnosed and was actually living with rheumatoid arthritis. Once discharged, I helped manage her after-care at home, including medications and follow-up appointments.
When I returned home to North Carolina, my caregiving continued from a distance — staying on top of appointments, medications, and communication with her doctors.
This experience reminded me how important advocacy, clear communication, and proper diagnosis are — especially for seniors and families navigating complex medical systems.
At Amanecer Senior Care, this work is personal. I understand what families are going through because I’ve lived it myself.