I feel angry and frustrated due to having to care every day for adult parent, and would like to speak to someone and get the emotions handled, so I can be more at peace with the situation that denies me a full life otherwise. I have lost work, social life, and experience physical strain and lack of adequate sleep as a result of caring for her.
I applaud you for understanding that your need to talk it out. Journaling helps many people, but you also should reach out to someone who can listen to the way you really feel without you holding anything back.
There are terrific suggestions on this thread so I hope that you'll take time to read it all.
Take care of yourself!
Carol
It is so very difficult if the caregiver is also a senior citizen as our parent(s) still view us as being a young child who can do everything. They don't realize we are on our own journey of age decline, hello, we have our own aches and pains, our own vision problems, and if something drops on the floor it is a challenge for us to get up :P
I see by your profile that your Mom lives with you. That makes it even tougher. My parents [in their 90's] remained living on their own. And when I started to cut back on doing things because I just couldn't anymore, they looked at me like my hair was on fire. Who is going to help us? Ah, hire someone. Nope, no strangers in the house.... [sigh]. Holding ground isn't easy, makes you feel real guilty.
Absent an EAP, it doesnt sound like you are looking for a group situation, per se, but someone to help you. I was in the same situation a year ago, and through my health insurance, found a LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) who helped me tremendously in putting my feelings and emotions over caregiving into a healthy place again. She didnt specifically work with eldercare issues, but she did work with family issues.
I find this website tremendously helpful as I continue to navigate the waters with my Dad. But reaching out for extra help is a smart idea :) Best of luck to you.
You might also, if you haven't already, call your local Area Agency on Aging and find out what resources are available for help with caring for your mother. Sometimes light housekeeping, bath aides and/or sitters can be had if you request.
He told me in no uncertain tones to go back to my own home, I've been back 6 weeks, I invested so much time into making him comfortable. I'm ashamed to say if I'd know he would still be here after all this time, I wouldn't have given my job up or semi cut links with family and friends. The support I got from the community and NHS services was exemplary. There was counselling laid on especially for carers, it was a service sanctioned through dad's GP. It was marvellous and I think I'd honestly done something awful to either my dad, his 84 yr old girlfriend who never lifted a finger or to myself.
I have no job now, I'm depressed and I know that most carers will know this 'place'. Please take care of yourself first and foremost. Xx
It does not matter if it is not written perfectly, the point is to get your feelings out of your head. I have used a diary and it help me dispel my anger around a work situation.
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