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ladybird2 Asked January 2015

Could you please give the website for spouses who are caregivers?

I find your information helpful but it does not always speak to my concern. I have been caring for my husband for the past ten years. His heart stopped a work ten years ago. He has a weak heart and kidneys and memory problems.
Lately I find that I am feeling very tired and overwhelmed with our situation. I took a caregiver class and participated in a support group this fall and it helped for a while but I'm feeling overwhelmed again. Any advice?

thezookeeper Feb 2015
You already found the right place. Many of us that care for our aging parents are old enough to also be caring for our spouses, and as caregivers, we encounter many of the same problems caring for each. Caring for parents, I think, is more complicated because of the emotional issues related to the parent/child relationship and the sudden (and often extremely difficult) reversal of those roles.

twopupsmom Feb 2015
You basically need to shop on here, most of what comes up are those caring for parents, but there are many spouses on this site. Maybe post a new question asking advice from spouces on subjects you need answers for. When I see a poster talk about their wife or husband, I just click to Follow them, so whenever anything comes up you'll get an email. You'll learn which threads pertain to you needs. I personally think there is a big difference between who you are caregiving for.

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jeannegibbs Jan 2015
ladybird2, until just last year, Aging Care was specifically aimed at people taking care of their parents. That was even part of their logo. But more and more caregivers of elderly people who weren't their parents (spouses, aunts, cousins, etc.) started participating that they've expanded to be more inclusive.

That is why you will still see so many people taking care of their parents on this site.

I cared for my husband (dementia) for ten years. I am now helping to care for my mother (dementia and mobility issues). Many of the questions and responses apply very well to either situation.

NOT ALL. There really and truly is a difference in caring for a spouse and for a parent. Some issues you want to discuss with other spouses. But there is enough of an overlap that I find this site very helpful.

I continued in my local caregiver support group throughout the journey with my husband. There are caregivers there taking care of spouses and others taking care of parents. Again, there are big differences, but we were all taking care of loved ones with the same type of dementia and sharing experiences was/is tremendously helpful.

Seeing a counselor can also be very helpful. That is a great way to focus entirely on your concerns.

I suggest that you post a concern here and see if the responses are helpful. Try it a few times before drawing a conclusion.

freqflyer Jan 2015
Sorry to hear about your husband's health issues. Please ask your questions. There are regular forum writers who are dealing with similar issues with their spouses.

Many of the cases on these forums deal with Alzheimer's/Demenia and at this point in time; neither of my aging parents have this issue. I found a store house of information from the answers on the forums that worked equally as well.

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