How long will it take me to adjust to caregiving?

Lost,
There are some of us who can't adjust. I am one of them. The severity of the situation (the severe confusion, aggression, incontinence, etc.) is too great and the price for us (the caregivers) to pay is too high (our own failing health, no sleep, loss of friends and social life, no private time).

I agree with jeanne, if you haven't "settled in" by now, AND your health is deteriorating, I think it's time to call it quits. She will definitely progress in her dementia and you will only get worse from the stress. I would start looking for a memory care facility close to your home for MIL.

This is a sad thing for you and your husband to have to go through. As good as your intentions were, it would be in everyone's best interest to place her where she would get good care from 3 shifts of refreshed caregivers. Then you can visit her and enjoy her as your mom (MIL) and not a worn out caregiver.

Thank you to everyone for your support and answers to ALL OF MY QUESTIONS. I do so appreciate YOU ALL! We shall see what happens after tomorrow, it seems that there is always a tomorrow. You all have been more supportive than the family.

I'd say if you haven't settled into the role in 7 months, it may not happen. This may be as good as it gets.

What are MIL's disabilities? What kind of help does she need? Have you and your husband discussed an appropriate care center for her?

Lostinthemix, when it comes to adjusting to being a caregiver, it all depends on your personality. Some caregivers will jump in and adjust fairly quickly. Others, like myself, never get use to it.

Some of us are not cut out to be a caregiver, and there isn't anything wrong with that. I never was hands-on but even running errands for my parents became nerve wracking for me. https://www.agingcare.com/articles/not-everyone-cut-out-to-be-a-caregiver-162192.htm

Just asking my boss, at the time, for time off was extremely stressful because she was like "The Devil Wears Prada".

After the first few months I noticed my health was going down hill. I didn't realize until I found this AgingCare website that I could set boundaries, and how to stop enabling my parents who continued to live in their house, with many stairs, being in their 90's. I was always saying "yes" instead of saying "sorry, I can't possibly do that".

Depending on your Mom-in-law's Alzheimer's/Dementia, it might be time to start scouting out Memory Care facilities. One positive she would be around people of her own age group, and another positive she would be around Staff who have been on this rodeo hundreds of time. And it is up to Mom-in-law to use her own funds.  Let the siblings grumble, this is your health we are talking about. 

I hate go say this but it often gets more difficult as time goes by.

Consider all your options and do what you can, at least then you know you did what you could in her best interest.

Sorry for your situation. I don’t know how any one who is not a special education teacher knows how to deal with this. I’m going on 2 years with a mother 24/7 with dementia. I wish I had an answer.

Lost, it sounds like you need HELP. Let's explore ways that can happen. On the low end, MIL should be contributing to your household. Can you use that resource to pay for services? Cleaning help? An aide for MIL - totally our of MIL's finances? Grocery shopping deliveries? Laundry pick up/drop off? Gardening help? Companion visits? Adult day care? ANY help is help! It can arrive in different ways. Ultimately, you may have to place your MIL in a facility. Never use that as a threat and never make a promise to her or other family members that you will never place her. Facilities provide services around the clock. Without a lot of help, it is more than challenging to do that at home.