Caregiving While Also Having Chronic Illness

Stacyasaurus

Hi everyone. I am a sole caregiver for my 68 year old Dad with stage 2 dementia and my 65 year old Mom who has early stage memory loss. On top of this I also have a trachesotomy and immunocompromised, which means I get sick quite often. I have a brother and sister in law in the area as well that can help in emergencies, but not on the regular.

I'm trying to figure out how to balance getting them to all their appointments and programs, getting me to all my stuff, keeping the house in order and everyone alive, and not going insane. My Mom can help sometimes and does simple tasks like laundry and vacuuming which can be helpful, but other than that I'm on my own. Any tips to retain my sanity would be amazing because burnout is real.

Gennu

I pray often to have the strength to handle the responsibility for caring for my husband with dementia.
I also have health issues and get tired and frustrated. Having long time friends and venting on them or close family members is one way I relieve my stress.
If it is possible to get away for you even for a day, that is very refreshing. It can be to go to a mall, church or to meet a friend.
Pray all the time.

Gr8plmr

are you able to bring in privately paid care to help? To either help you or your parents? Even having groceries and Rx's delivered was helpful

Smokebear

I have a Walmart shopping list I add to online. Highly recommend the app. Whenever I think of something I need I add to it. Once I hit $35 WAllmart doesn’t charge for the grocery pick up. I have a hard time walking so grocery pick up is awesome! Safeway, Vons also does the same thing and Whole Foods. Safeway and Whole Foods both have to go meals.

I have tried Blue apron meals, which I can get almost 3 to 4 meals for mom out of each tray with the premade. I got a bunch of Extra large silicon, ice cube trays from Amazon and any of mom‘s leftovers I freeze now for later since she eats so little.

In the beginning, not now, mom was on a transport service through the county for rides. She could take herself with the help of the ride service. And I would FaceTime or phone in for the actual appointment when the doctor got there in the room so I could listen in.

I’m hoping Mom bounces back a bit but in hindsight, I wish I kept up on my dental work, car repairs, yardwork, deep house cleaning and vacations just a wee bit more. I can’t leave her alone more than 45 minutes now. Fingers crossed to get better and I’ll have a little more freedom …I mean, free time. I hear from everyone that’s like steps. They get worse than they get a little better. They get worse than they get a little better. And with each step, they never quite bounce back to where they were originally.