I’m a 25 year old, full time worker, and carer of two people with dementia. My 60 year old father with FTD and my 86 year old grandmother with unspecified dementia.
I’m struggling to mentally cope with the stress and upset of my dad’s rapid decline. The TV is talking to him, and he states there are 3 men who keep harassing him - one asking for donations, one demanding £10,000 and one threatening to beat him up. He’s fixated on the idea of the doctor wanting to probe his brain, and he’s panicking all the time. His personal hygiene is going out of the window, he’s aggressive and he’s taken to punching the door or window when he frustrates himself. His speech is getting so bad I can barely understand him and I feel guilty when I lie to him about little things. Earlier I had to pretend to call his consultant to confirm he isn’t having his brain probed (I knew he wasn’t as the doctor calls me to discuss his medical situation). I can’t help but feel guilty, and upset at the situation I’m finding myself in. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can try to cope with my feelings? I’ve tried counselling and yoga, and they have helped to a degree but I’m still finding it hard....
I’m struggling to mentally cope with the stress and upset of my dad’s rapid decline. The TV is talking to him, and he states there are 3 men who keep harassing him - one asking for donations, one demanding £10,000 and one threatening to beat him up. He’s fixated on the idea of the doctor wanting to probe his brain, and he’s panicking all the time. His personal hygiene is going out of the window, he’s aggressive and he’s taken to punching the door or window when he frustrates himself. His speech is getting so bad I can barely understand him and I feel guilty when I lie to him about little things. Earlier I had to pretend to call his consultant to confirm he isn’t having his brain probed (I knew he wasn’t as the doctor calls me to discuss his medical situation). I can’t help but feel guilty, and upset at the situation I’m finding myself in. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can try to cope with my feelings? I’ve tried counselling and yoga, and they have helped to a degree but I’m still finding it hard....