Hi everyone. Its been a tough week and my efforts have been made much worse by me injuring the inside of my foot and being unable to walk properly. Its been a case of resting as much as possible and dosing up on painkillers. Caring for someone when you are not 100% is very hard. My wife sleeps for about 17 hours a day - this morning she was still up at 4 00 am watching an old film and smiling - that makes it worthwhile. I have been looking after Margaret now for 10 years and I suppose in that time we have seen the family about twice a year - 70 miles is too far to travel!!! Daughter and husband have busy careers and when not pursuing them, they are showing off their properties and children! We may get a phone call about every six weeks from daughter whilst she is driving home! It is difficult to communicate as the signal continually breaks up.We have been threatened with a visit over the weekend! When and for how long, your guess is as good as mine. They make me so cross but for Margaret's sake I bite my lip - really wanting to tell them to bugg.. off. They will probably be on their way to one of their properties in Cornwall. What I detest is that I shall get bombarded with comments as to why I have not done this or that! I should make my wife do this or that! Why aren't carers coming in at 6 30 am and dragging her out of bed!! They have no idea the effort it takes to meet my wife's needs. I find the whole thing so stressful, especially as I know that they don't really care. The son-in-law ( a power control ex military officer) and Grandchildren ( aged 14 and 16 ) make no effort to talk to Margaret and she does not initiate conversation these days. She will sit there falling asleep where as if they engage her in conversation she will react in a positive way. Its just the two of us plus a close circle of friends which help us get through each day and I do not want family interference. Am I ungrateful? I would collapse if they suggested taking Margaret out for an hour's drive or to visit the local park whilst they are here. Is that too much to ask? Sorry to sound so ungrateful. Back to the cleaning. Jumbo.