Hi everyone,
Just joined.
I was told about this forum some time ago, but only now do I feel able to join in.
My mum has dementia and she is in a nursing home.
I find it very hard to handle, as she isn't who she was, and when "talking" together, it is a strain as I know she wants a lot of reassuring, she panics and gets upset a lot.
If you saw me when I'm with her, I think you'd commend me on being so supportive, strong and kind with her.
But if you saw me after I'd finished visiting her, well thats a different story. It takes it out of me. I must be alone, I must switch off and watch **** tv or simply do nothing, absolutely nothing, for all my energies are used up, mentally and physically. And I just cannot cope with anything else for days afterwards - cannot handle talking to any of my friends never mind meet up with them, can't get into anything leisurely like I used to.
It feels as if my life is drifting away. I know I'm so isolated socially but I just cannot put my mind to socialising with things that don't mean a great deal to me anymore, when I'm preoccupied.
But I love my mum and intend to keep seeing her, but she is so very frail and that is a big worry.
Anyone else in the position I'm in?
Just joined.
I was told about this forum some time ago, but only now do I feel able to join in.
My mum has dementia and she is in a nursing home.
I find it very hard to handle, as she isn't who she was, and when "talking" together, it is a strain as I know she wants a lot of reassuring, she panics and gets upset a lot.
If you saw me when I'm with her, I think you'd commend me on being so supportive, strong and kind with her.
But if you saw me after I'd finished visiting her, well thats a different story. It takes it out of me. I must be alone, I must switch off and watch **** tv or simply do nothing, absolutely nothing, for all my energies are used up, mentally and physically. And I just cannot cope with anything else for days afterwards - cannot handle talking to any of my friends never mind meet up with them, can't get into anything leisurely like I used to.
It feels as if my life is drifting away. I know I'm so isolated socially but I just cannot put my mind to socialising with things that don't mean a great deal to me anymore, when I'm preoccupied.
But I love my mum and intend to keep seeing her, but she is so very frail and that is a big worry.
Anyone else in the position I'm in?