I have been a caretaker for 8 years now.

Have you thought about joining a support group?

Do you have any way to get some respite, Kool? 8 years is a long time! I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I've been caregiving for 2 years, and did find dating impossible. Guys weren't willing to schedule dates around infrequent nursing coverage. Being part of this online community, getting outdoors for walks, gardening and developing hobbies really help. I started attempting to write novels and joined a critique group. I do schedule nurses once a week so I can go to a Bible study with a group of precious believers who were caregivers themselves at one time. And remember it's only for a season.