Why Caregivers Need To Talk To Other Caregivers

Aug 13, 2018 | Caregiver Inspiration, caregivers journey, Practical Advice | 11 comments

11 Comments

  1. Sean

    I would love to talk with someone that is going through what I am i am looking after my mum but I neglecteing my own family

    Reply
    • Susanne

      That is something so many caregivers end up doing. It’s so hard to balance everything. I hope there is a caregivers group near you that you might join. The Alzheimer’s association or the local Office of the Aging might be able to tell you if here are any groups available. I think you are amazing for caring for your Mum.

      Reply
    • Robert

      I’m pretty along taking care of Carol so it’s would be nice to be able to just have someone to talk to. I do feel very mush alone. I know l will feel good to talk.

      Reply
  2. Tootie

    All we do is fight. I can’t ask her anything, tell her anything. She doesn’t believe me. I’ve never lied to her. I don’t know what to do.
    She’s making me crazy.

    Reply
    • Susanne

      That’s tough. I too had a hard time with my Mom. I had to remember that it had nothing to do with me or what I was doing or saying. I finally came up with “whatever you say Mommie” which seemed to calm her down. It also stopped me from fighting a losing battle. I’m so sorry you have such a frustrating situation. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

      Reply
  3. Jackie Yarbrough

    I became a caregiver for my friend and his brother when I became homeless he is in a wheelchair and he says what’s on his legs is shingles I don’t know how to help him he has no insurance he has no money I have done everything possible to keep him positive there are days where he’s Mobile in his room via wheelchair and he’s positive and there are days where he just says he wants to die I try not to feed into his suicidal emotional state but I just have to let him deal with it he has fluid dripping from his legs it smells he can’t make it to the bathroom very often so he pees in the ice cream bucket and I empty it when asked I cook I clean I do my best to keep him positive and for the most part I just trying to get him better but I do feel overwhelmed because I don’t know if that’s what he has do neglect my family my children are a town away and I miss them but this is been one of the best things to have happened to me because I have a home now but I just really want to get him well he peels skin off of his legs and I don’t know if he’s doing more harm than good I just don’t know what to do or who to talk to and I feel overwhelmed and lost sometimes they’re good people they have blessed me with a bed and a room and I have food and a bathroom and I just want to return the favor and help him get better…jyarbrough@gmail.com

    Reply
    • Susanne

      Hello@ You are a true Caregiver Warrior. I am so sorry you feel so alone and that your friend is so sick. I was wondering if there is a church near you, or if you belong to a parish? If you would speak to the priest or pastor, they might be able to help you get some medical attention for your friend and some assistance for you. They often have volunteers or services that are free and wonderful. I know it’s hard to reach out sometimes, but in this case, it might really be helpful. All my prayers are with you.

      Reply
      • Robert

        Hi Susan, I’m Robert and I need someone to talk to. I’m a full-time caregiver for my wife who has Alzheimer’s she in advanced stages of the disease. I hope your doing ok and I hope to hear from you.

        Reply
        • Susanne

          Hi Robert! Thanks so much for reaching out. I know how hard being a full-time Caregiver Warrior can be. Sharing and talking to other caregivers really saved me. May I ask if you have been in touch with your local Alzheimers Association? They are so helpful and often have groups that you can join which I’m assuming you can now zoom with. Also, there is an amazing Facebook group called Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support that is just terrific. Lots of support there. I also found friends in my Mom’s church. I hope this helps. Please know you are not alone. I’m thinking of you!

          Reply
  4. Ginger

    My sister has terminal cancer. She wasn’t expected to live to Christmas, but now it’s mid February. I don’t want her to die soon, but I miss my own home and life in another state. I feel guilty about that. I also worry about maybe coming home to frozen, cracked pipes, which I can’t afford to have fixed. I have spent 9 months out of the year here, leaving a couple times for my lumbar neurotransmitter implant, and again for my rheumatologist appointment, which is every 3 months. I had to miss the last one. She has a daughter a half hr away who has to work, has a wife and two foster boys. I feel like they think I’m old, so I don’t have a life anyway. She comes a few times a week but can’t stay over an hour most times. Sometimes they go out for fast food and sit in the car to eat. My sister likes fast food. She doesn’t want it picked up for her, she wants it fresh made. I’m a good cook, have cooked professionally, but she doesn’t like anything I make. Her daughters say she is just too hard to please. I have no one to talk to, and I hide that I’m sometimes on the verge of tears. I have always been strong, tough. It’s a family thing. I’ve survived a lot in my life. But I also have a soft heart and I’m creative. NOT a family thing. I’m going on and on. I just miss my corner of the world and I’m very lonely and feel like a non person. That’s pretty self-centered of me. I do keep her house up to her standards, though

    Reply
    • Susanne

      Ginger you are an amazing person and a wonderful sister. I’m so sorry you feel like you are alone in this, but we hear you and appreciate you. You are a true Caregiver Warrior. Both you and your sister are in my prayers and I’m thinking of you. Your soft heart and creative being are honored and you inspire me. Caregiving is tough and overwhelming but I believe you are doing an extraordinary job. Thank you for sharing your story. I know for sure you have helped someone else by sharing it. Much love.

      Reply

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