Hello- my dad is home, in hospice, with pancreatic cancer. They have a caregiver, Tammy, she is Russian and wonderful but there is a language barrier. Mom doesn't have Alzheimer's but she definitely has moderate cognitive issues, short term memory loss, confusion, helplessness. She is 78. the thing is- I guess from the stress, or an exaggeration of her regular cognitive stuff- she is just so much worse. We're trying to spend time with dad and care for him (I work full time and to there on weekends and after work, sleep at my own house) but she is becoming the prime source of my angst and worry and stress. She walks around CONSTANTLY, room to room to room, picks things up and moves them (important care things that need to be readily accessible), again and again and again. She talks constantly, does not stop. Asks constant questions about dad, has he eaten, has he drank anything, has he napped. When I'm not there she texts me alarming things, ugh. last night- "dad wants his final dose of morphine and wants me to administer it". Um, what?? I just left 10 minutes ago! I told her to have Tammy give dad his nighttime meds and for her to go to bed. I'm sure she didn't. Meanwhile I didn't get a wink of sleep for worrying about her, him, the situation. Now today I'm exhausted and due back over there and dreading it. I guess I'd just like a little advice or support or just to vent. Thank you for listening.
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You need to take care of yourself so you can care for them. God bless you and your family.
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You might want to consider taking a day off from visiting and letting Tammy handle everything for a day or so. Take care of yourself for that time. And, a call to Mom’s doctor would be a good idea as well.