I have never been in a group discussion or chatroom before but I realize I need help and I don 't know who or how to ask. Or am I overreacting? I don't want to speak to my friends because none of them understand & I really don't have any family I can turn to. My 81 y/o mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers 2009. I am 54 & have been her sole caregiver since 2008. I have managed her care with minor ups & downs but for the past week she has become more difficult than ever. Even though she hasn't "known" me as her daughter for the past year or so she always felt she knew me somehow. That is gone. Now she constantly wants to leave the house to go home (we live in her house) or is upset about her family running off and leaving her here. She has delusions that her family was just here and they abandoned her. She is inconsolable. When I attempt to distract her she becomes angry & agitated. Instead of dealing with these issues a few hours a day it is now all day until she reluctantly goes to bed. I am at a loss. This week I no longer feel capable of caring for her/helping her. I am failing at the most important duty I have as a daughter. I quit my job April 2013 to care for Mom 24/7. I am single and no money coming in is very difficult on me financially but I would do anything for my mother. My friends and my dil all believe I should put her in a nursing home. But a nursing home can't comfort her when she is upset. They have no time to rub lotion on her arms & legs & apply cool compresses several times a day when she itches. I can't put her in a nursing home & worry if she is being abused. Thanks for letting me vent. I would welcome any suggestions or ideas anyone has or just a chance to talk to someone who understands what I'm going through.
I, too, am taking care of my mother 24/7. I am her only family. My one sibling died in a sailing accident (my brother) so I have no one to turn to for advice. I have two daughters in their twenties, but I don't want to burden them with this stuff. Also, they live on the other side of the country. So I'm trying to reach out to others. Fortunately, my mother is mentally aware and quite with it for her age 99!!! So I feel for you especially for the fact that your mother is suffering with Alheimers.. How are you doing all this alone? Is there support groups in your area? Check with the town's Council on Aging, or state run programs. It's SO DIFFICULT! And friends don't really understand it all. I'm willing to talk.. We all need to vent to people that know exactly what we are going through...