Both of my grandparents have spent their lives as hardworking parents, spouses, and employees.  Because of this, they are used to doing things on their own and don't really like it that nowadays they are extremely limited to what they are able to do by themselves.  It upsets them greatly that they now have to depend on not only family but professional nurses; people they've never met before. "Receiving long-term care for the first time, or receiving it from a new person, may change important relationships and cause emotional distress." (Older People and Mental Health)

My Grandma loves to cook and bake but she can't stand up for very long periods of time without being in pain. The housework would be too strenuous for her too. Her arthritis bothers her hands sometimes also, so there isn't much she can do that won't result in an achy feeling. My grandma isn't supposed to walk without her walker (even though she does it anyways) for the fear that she could fall again. Last time she fell really hard and left her arms and face badly bruised. It was then that it really hit home that she has to depend on the walker to get around.

She can no longer drive herself to church or the grocery store and sometimes she even needs help getting dressed and showered. Even though there are ways to maybe help her be more active and help do things in the kitchen, I think just the fact that someone else has to help her with the errands or do them for her, really takes a toll.

My Grandpa is more stubborn with having to give up the things he can't do anymore. But that's mostly just because he doesn't remember the doctor telling him what he is not able to do anymore. My grandpa's role has always been the protector of his family and his household; so when it came to having to remove his hunting rifles from his house, it was a huge shock for him. At the time, he was furious that they were gone but nowadays, he doesn't say much about them. Of course, my grandfather isn't allowed to drive either. There's more of a risk that he will drive off somewhere and all the sudden forget where he is and not remember how to get home because of the dementia. He's always walking around the house asking where his keys are. He searches is all the drawers and underneath everything and any kind of key he finds, he takes outside to try to get the cars to start. He has to be reminded to change his clothes and even to take showers.

I know they love having family around and all but I know they miss being able to to their normal routines. Both of them getting to this point health-wise, at the same time is really hard for them to cope with. Everything changed for my grandparents really quickly and even though it's tough to have to give up their freedom and independence, I know their both trying their best to do with what they have.


References
"Older People and Mental Heath," Mind: For Better Mental Heath: 2012 Mind.<http://www.mind.org.uk/help/people_groups_and_communities/older
_people_and_mental_health#carereceivers>.