I feel quite lucky reading the threads on here, as I don't have it as bad as so many on here. It makes me more aware of what is to come, and hopefully a little bit prepared.
My Dad has only mild dementia at the moment, but the constant repeating of stories, the tapping his side table EVERY 5 MINUTES. hovering over me when I am trying to do anything in the house, saying the same thing to the TV over and over again. Forgetting conversations five minutes later, telling him about upcoming events everyday for a week before hand and then getting evil looks when he forgets I always wonder how much is the dementia and how much is just old age.
I then feel guilty for feeling annoyed as I know he can't help it. I just wish that I could get couple of hours alone in the house without flinching everytime I hear a noise and thinking he is awake or back from his walks.
Between working full time and house work and caring for him when I do have some free time I am just too drained to want to do anything and end up just flaking in front of the TV or browsing the internet.
I do get days out with friends and family, but he makes me feel guilty for going out, but when I try to go out with him or get him to go out, he has had enough within a couple of hours and wants to go home. He is forever clock watching so I end up not enjoying time out as I am just waiting for him to say he wants to go home.
I am worried that as annoyed and irritated as I get now, will I be able to cope as he gets worse?
He has already said he doesn't want me caring for him when it gets too bad, but how bad to I let it get before we start looking at homes?
Should I do it while he still has some faculties left, or until I am unable to cope and at the end of my tether?
How can you tell which is best, and which you are doing for yourself or for him?
Well thats my rant over, It feels good just saying these things out loud. Thanks for listening.
My Dad has only mild dementia at the moment, but the constant repeating of stories, the tapping his side table EVERY 5 MINUTES. hovering over me when I am trying to do anything in the house, saying the same thing to the TV over and over again. Forgetting conversations five minutes later, telling him about upcoming events everyday for a week before hand and then getting evil looks when he forgets I always wonder how much is the dementia and how much is just old age.
I then feel guilty for feeling annoyed as I know he can't help it. I just wish that I could get couple of hours alone in the house without flinching everytime I hear a noise and thinking he is awake or back from his walks.
Between working full time and house work and caring for him when I do have some free time I am just too drained to want to do anything and end up just flaking in front of the TV or browsing the internet.
I do get days out with friends and family, but he makes me feel guilty for going out, but when I try to go out with him or get him to go out, he has had enough within a couple of hours and wants to go home. He is forever clock watching so I end up not enjoying time out as I am just waiting for him to say he wants to go home.
I am worried that as annoyed and irritated as I get now, will I be able to cope as he gets worse?
He has already said he doesn't want me caring for him when it gets too bad, but how bad to I let it get before we start looking at homes?
Should I do it while he still has some faculties left, or until I am unable to cope and at the end of my tether?
How can you tell which is best, and which you are doing for yourself or for him?
Well thats my rant over, It feels good just saying these things out loud. Thanks for listening.