Life on the road comes with its own set of joys and challenges, and for some RVers, there’s an extra layer of responsibility: caring for another person. Whether it’s a spouse, parent, adult child, or friend, being a caregiver can influence everything from travel plans to daily routines in an RV.
Today, we want to hear from you: Are you a caregiver for another person? It’s a simple question, but your response helps shed light on how common caregiving is among RVers and how it shapes the RV lifestyle.
Caring for someone while traveling can be rewarding, but it also comes with unique considerations. Accessibility, healthcare options, and proximity to services become more important when a loved one depends on you. Even routine camping activities can require extra planning and flexibility.
Maybe they travel with you, or maybe you have to change around your travel plans every so often to make sure they get to their doctor’s appointments, etc.
Your input can also help other RVers feel seen and supported. Knowing how many in the community share the caregiving experience fosters connection, understanding, and potentially tips for managing life on the road while caring for someone else.
So take a moment to vote in today’s poll. If you feel like it, please leave a comment, too. Thanks.
MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- Are you estranged from a parent, child or sibling?
- Are your parents still alive?
- Growing up, were your parents good role models?
- Did your parents take you camping as a child?
RVDT2769
Yes, my husband. We are full-time RVers. He wants to continue. His physical health is very good. He lost much of his memory in the aftermath of a serious heart attack. He coded and was without oxygen to his brain for about 5 minutes. He gets lost easily. He is still a good driver, though, as long as I am there to give him directions. I stopped backcountry backpacking because he doesn’t want to do it and I can’t leave him for over night. Still, we are blessed and love our lifestyle, traveling 5,000 to 10,000 miles per year.
Bless your heart. As a former backpacker I understand, and as a nurse I understand why you made the choice you did. Kudos to you for making Arnold Palmers out of the lemons life handed you. (I/2 ice tea, I/2 lemonade)
Sadly, my wife and I provided care (for about two years) to my mother who passed last year at 103.
I read that you were sad to provide the care. I know that’s not what you intended to say, you meant sad over your mom’s passing. Please don’t be sad. My 24 years working for Hospice convinced me there is more to life than just this material world. In all my years-we were a large urban hospice with many employees- I only met I employee w/6 yrs experience who was an atheist. I met many who had been atheists and changed their mind As our chaplains said Hospice is about spiritualism not religion
My husband and I moved my mother into our home almost a year ago because of her dementia diagnosis. I had recently retired and we planned on traveling often in our motorhome. This has been put on hold mostly because it is difficult to find someone that I am comfortable with to care for her when I am away. Dementia is horrible for both me and my mom, but I could not even imagine her living at a facility.
I am not a care giver at the current time, but the writing on the wall says yes in 5 to 10 years.
My sister, brother, and I all helped care for my mother when she developed dementia. We kept her in her home for as long as possible, and she lived with my brother for a while, but ultimately, we had to move her to a memory care facility, as there was no way we could adequately support her. She was very happy there, but eventually deteriorated until she needed to be moved to a nursing home recently. Now it’s just a matter of time. I sympathize with anyone who has to deal with a similar situation.
Mother-in-law died 3 years ago. For several years prior my wife was primary care giver for summer and her brother for winter when we left. (his job is seasonal).
Wife’s parents lived in their home into their 90’s. Thanks to five children who took turns staying with them. Once they passed (within a year of each other) we left crazy California.
No, but am the caregiver for our spouse during medical issues
I voted yes, but no longer am a care giver now. My wife of almost 60 years was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia back in 2018. Her dementia progressed and has continuously gotten worse. For about five years I kept her at home and am currently selling our motorhome and toad. Unfortunately she started having problems with coordination, balance and bladder/colon control, and was very prone to falling. Her falls included breaking her L1 vertebra, left femur and most of her front teeth. I made the decision that her needs exceeded my ability to care for her and made arrangements for a long term skilled nursing facility, where she is today. When she was at home and under my care, it
Continued… occupied my time 24/7 as she would try to move about and would usually wind up on the floor. For a long time she was able to let me know when she needed to go to the bathroom, but it wasn’t long when her communication skills also diminished along with her memory. I absolutely hated leaving her in the facility, but I go daily (with our little dog) and spend a few hours with her.
God Bless You Ron! I too went thru similar with my wife of 58 yrs – altho her mind was not too bad as she had Emphysema and on O2 for many years. Lack of O2 affected her some. She too got to the point of losing control and falling; finally fell and ripped the skin off one arm – all she had to do was wake me on the couch next to her bed. But she was a proud woman. It was her wish to pass away at our home to which I agreed to take care of her to the end. We knew was coming – just not when. She passed away on 11Sept24. I finally called in Hospice to help which was a relief and they provided medications to help her as she couldn’t get to medical care anymore. Stay strong Ron. May God Bless You.
Sort of. My mother (90 years old, dementia) lives in my house and my sister lives here also and mostly takes care of my mother.
I care for my 99 YO mother who lives with us in her own separate living quarters built into our home.
At 99 she still does all her daily activities and can remember EVERYTHING as she continues to reminds me of what few faults I have on a daily basis!!!!
No. But over the years I had many friends and co-workers that were caring for loved ones. To see the days that were very stressful was heartbreaking. Those that have or are, are truly Angels of mercy. I don’t know if I would have had the strength to perform such task daily.