Ah,
@Dutchman , I do feel for you. When caring for our loved ones has been all we did, for so many years, it's so very hard to hand over control of their care to others. It can leave us, not only bereft, but also feeling like we've lost our raison d'etre. During our caring years, all other interests and considerations have gradually had to be put aside, as dementia devours not just our loved one, but a large chunk of our lives too.
Coming out of that feeling of loss and grief is never going to be quick or easy. Four years on from my husband's death (and five years on from when he had to move to full time care), there are still times when that feeling of being bereft, of losing everything, still hits. But, not as often. I'm still inclined to be solitary, and not good at group socialising, or idle chit chat. But slowly, life has turned good again. I'll always miss my husband, of course. But other things have moved in to try and fill the void, and I've actively let them in. Family, a close friend or two.
I know it sounds easy to say it. But things
won't always be so raw. Really, truly, they won't.