Hi
I am at my wits end.
I started looking after my mum in July. She relocated to move in with myself and my family as she could no longer cope st home. She knew no one in the area so has obviously been dependent on me for any sort of social interaction. I take her out to different activities but to be honest her dementia is so advanced now that socialising requires 100% effort on the part of the other person as she no longer has the ability to ask anyone anything about themselves, she can only now see things from her own point of view.
This I dont mind, but the constant need to have attention from me is utterly exhausting. Even when I am sat in the room with her, if I am sitting quietly, she will call my name in a panic every minute or so. She just wants reassurance. I have to take her everywhere with me as she cant be left.
I have 3 children and she constantly competes with them for attention. If I'm having a conversation with one of them she can't stand it and has to interrupt the conversation.
Recently I had to take her to parents evening as she couldn't be left home alone, whilst I was talking to the teacher she constantly interrupted asking if we could go.
I am up a lot in the night with her due to to double incontinence, which I dont mind but is obviously very tiring. The other day I was so exhausted I really needed a quick nap for a few minutes before collecting the kids from school. I explained how tired I was and that I really needed this nap. She repeatedly kept on waking me as she couldn't stand my attention to not be on her.
Full time care is not an option. She went to respite for a week recently but phoned me in tears telling me she wanted me.ever since she's been back she keeps telling me how she really didn't like being away from us, though we will definitely have to do again soon.
The first day she went in I was still constantly hearing her calling my name. I am exhausted from this.
She is now too far gone to be able to engage in any activity by herself without help so it's very difficult to get her going with something distracting. She's even unable to turn tv on or change channel.
I should add that my husband is very helpful and supportive but he is at work during the week and it's me she's really latched on to.
Sorry for long rant, just needed to get off my chest.
I am at my wits end.
I started looking after my mum in July. She relocated to move in with myself and my family as she could no longer cope st home. She knew no one in the area so has obviously been dependent on me for any sort of social interaction. I take her out to different activities but to be honest her dementia is so advanced now that socialising requires 100% effort on the part of the other person as she no longer has the ability to ask anyone anything about themselves, she can only now see things from her own point of view.
This I dont mind, but the constant need to have attention from me is utterly exhausting. Even when I am sat in the room with her, if I am sitting quietly, she will call my name in a panic every minute or so. She just wants reassurance. I have to take her everywhere with me as she cant be left.
I have 3 children and she constantly competes with them for attention. If I'm having a conversation with one of them she can't stand it and has to interrupt the conversation.
Recently I had to take her to parents evening as she couldn't be left home alone, whilst I was talking to the teacher she constantly interrupted asking if we could go.
I am up a lot in the night with her due to to double incontinence, which I dont mind but is obviously very tiring. The other day I was so exhausted I really needed a quick nap for a few minutes before collecting the kids from school. I explained how tired I was and that I really needed this nap. She repeatedly kept on waking me as she couldn't stand my attention to not be on her.
Full time care is not an option. She went to respite for a week recently but phoned me in tears telling me she wanted me.ever since she's been back she keeps telling me how she really didn't like being away from us, though we will definitely have to do again soon.
The first day she went in I was still constantly hearing her calling my name. I am exhausted from this.
She is now too far gone to be able to engage in any activity by herself without help so it's very difficult to get her going with something distracting. She's even unable to turn tv on or change channel.
I should add that my husband is very helpful and supportive but he is at work during the week and it's me she's really latched on to.
Sorry for long rant, just needed to get off my chest.