Being a caregiver of my elder mother (who's had several strokes) without a mate, supportive siblings, friends or hardly any extra money after paying bills--and working full time--makes for a profoundly lonely life. All of my interest in my own life --making art, travel, exercise, healthy eating, interaction with others in a social context without having to tote my mother along because I have no money for personal respite relief...they've all been, one by one, allowed to drift out of my life because I have no extra energy or time or money...my life has gone all---- beige.
It sounds like your Mom has the beginnings of dementia, and if that is the case, things are only going to get harder. You sound like a wonderfully resourceful and creative problem-solver, but at some point you are going to need help. Start the process of finding it (and figuring how to pay for it) now.
What worked as a great starting point for me was to call Social Services in my county and ask for a needs evaluation. Even if the needs are deemed to be slight now, it will be awesome to have things all set up and a case worker assigned if/when the needs are greater.
This could go on for another 5 or 10 or even 15 years. You surely can't wait that long to reclaim at least parts of your life. If financial aid is what you need most right now, apply for it!
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