In times of desperation over a period of time I've googled for advice on how to care for my mother. I've picked up a few caring strategies from this site, felt less lonely when I've seen others experiencing the problems I have, liked reading your support for each other - and finally plucked the courage to join.
The problem is that Mum has vascular dementia and not Alzheimers (though she's never had a scan to prove it). I hope that doesn't mean I'll be blackballed!
Mum's 86 (going on 3 at times) and has lived with us (my husband and me) for the past 16 years, had a series of strokes 12 years ago and started behaving noticeably oddly about 6 years ago, just after my only sister died. I played the Ostrich for a long time, but finally asked our GP for help and she was officially diagnosed with dementia in February.
Friends and family know and understand the situation, but I'd dearly love not to burden them with what's happening, and to have somewhere to explode if I need to (with people who'd know that it's a passing feeling) and to laugh at things that others may find inappopriate - e.g. Mum's most recent addiction to having rides in police cars!
My husband has been physically disabled for years (I married him for his body but broke it) and we have a gorgeous little Jack Russell (Rosie) who, unfortunately, is very affected by Mum's moods. I work 4 days a week (Wednesdays and week-ends off) and desperately want to continue working.
The problem is that Mum has vascular dementia and not Alzheimers (though she's never had a scan to prove it). I hope that doesn't mean I'll be blackballed!
Mum's 86 (going on 3 at times) and has lived with us (my husband and me) for the past 16 years, had a series of strokes 12 years ago and started behaving noticeably oddly about 6 years ago, just after my only sister died. I played the Ostrich for a long time, but finally asked our GP for help and she was officially diagnosed with dementia in February.
Friends and family know and understand the situation, but I'd dearly love not to burden them with what's happening, and to have somewhere to explode if I need to (with people who'd know that it's a passing feeling) and to laugh at things that others may find inappopriate - e.g. Mum's most recent addiction to having rides in police cars!
My husband has been physically disabled for years (I married him for his body but broke it) and we have a gorgeous little Jack Russell (Rosie) who, unfortunately, is very affected by Mum's moods. I work 4 days a week (Wednesdays and week-ends off) and desperately want to continue working.