Any advice for my own stomach/gastro issues due to the stress of caring for FIL?

WhirledTravel, I understand the stress from those types of comments, my sig other [who is healthy, employed] does that all the time.

I'd be carrying a piece of paper and he would ask "what is that?". Now i just answer "a piece of paper". There are times I just want to be snarky because of the lack of common sense in some of those questions.

For me, I get acid-relfux, thus prescription pills didn't help, neither did over the counter stuff. Turned out after having a DNA test done for medicines, those medicines wouldn't work for me, glad to know that now.

So I just dove into a bottle of Tums for whatever is stomach or acid-relfux related.... so far they work for me :)

I understand your dilemma as far as the constant rambling and nowhere to get away. My DH suffered a stroke in ‘03 and a debilitating heart infection in ‘13. He is now bedridden and I am his sole caregiver. He was never very affectionate. Now, he is grateful for my caregiving and he realizes this isn’t the way we planned to spend our twilight years and it’s because of him. He shows this, like your FIL does by constant babble. “What are you doing?” “Where are you going?” Or whenever I come into the room, “Hi!” Even if all I did was use the facilities. Since he’s been home from a 4 month stay in rehab, his aphasia from his stroke has gotten worse and sometimes I can’t decipher what he’s trying to tell me. It’s constant and it’s irritating. . I escape to my bedroom at night just for the peace of silence.

Have you considered yoga or learning how to meditate? Behavior modification therapy can help too. And please know that in our eyes, you are a hero. Even though you dont feel well, your post was about helping Dad. Kudos!

Hi Garden, thanks for your response! And sorry, I should have clarified that he's living my my husband and I, and yes, my husband helps out a LOT. He's been awesome, actually. But we both work from home, and it's been tough trying to keep up with clients, maintaining our house, plus all of Dad's stuff and whatnot, and caring for Dad himself.

As for any siblings, please allow me to say, "Bwahahahaha!!!" Sorry, had to get that out. My husband has one sibling, who is completely and utterly useless, and lives a thousand miles away, anyway. I wouldn't subject Dad to that household, regardless, so it's not even a question.

We HAVE discussed putting Dad in memory care, it's just so darn expensive! Dad has some money saved, so it's kind of an option, I'm just worried about blowing through it all too quickly - he's not rich, and neither are we! Our thought was that if he's with us, we can help save him some money, and then he can more easily afford to have the occasional caregiver hired for the day/night, when we need a break, or if both of us have to be gone.

I don't know, I just didn't know it would be this hard; I thought I would adjust to this. I think it would be easier if he had his own room or suite, so to speak, but our house is very small, even my husband's desk is out in an open area. We don't have an extra guest room, so Dad sleeps in an alcove in the living room, but also sits near the TV or at the table in the eating area. There's nowhere to hide, so to speak. I also feel bad that he doesn't have his own room, but we have curtains around his sleeping area, and he does seem content there - I think he likes being around us all the time, as he's very people oriented, and an extrovert, obviously.

Sorry, I don't want to be one of those people who says "No, that won't work" to every solution. I'm just hoping maybe there's something we haven't thought of.

If we do put him in memory care, what happens if the money runs out? Does Medicaid cover it? Sorry, that question has probably been asked a million times. Thanks for having patience with me. ;)

No issue with "patience"; your concern is legitimate.

I'm going to pass on the Medicaid issue; I'm just not that familiar with it, but others here are.

I understand that sometimes there are no options. And it really wears you down. FIL is probably at the stage in which he's focused on HIS needs and doesn't understand your needs, especially for peace and quiet while you're working.

At this time I only have one suggestion as to the repeated interruptions. Perhaps set aside some brief time every 2 - 3 hours, have a cup of coffee or tea, and chat. Then tell him you're going to work and can't be interrupted.

With dementia, he might not understand, but it might be worth a try. If he does understand and can be programmed to look forward to the coffee breaks, it might be like brain patterning - but that might just be wishful thinking.

I don't really have any good suggestions for sundowning, other than not giving him anything sugary for dinner as that might contribute to any agitation he has otherwise.

Or you might find a nominal "fidget" tasks for him to keep him occupied. He could fold towels, sort things out (nothing that shouldn't be lost though). Perhaps he might gain some sense of usefulness with nominal activities.

Can he work puzzles, play board games by himself?

It also seems to me that his queries are basic, somewhat of an attempt to have a conversation. Is there a good Senior Center in your area where you could take him for events? If you can't take him, some SCs have transit; my father's has a small bus which can pick up residents for various trips.

If you can think of some social activity that allows him to get out of the house, you'll have some peace.

Oh, I'm so sorry that I missed your last post while I was revising mine. A stage 4 diagnosis changes the picture. I wouldn't consider moving him out given that he's going to need a lot of family comfort support as the cancer unfortunately progresses.

One recommendation I would add is to locate the closest Gilda's Club and consider participating in their activities. Our local one has an excellent program. There are also whole family activities, such as potluck suppers.

Some of the activities are geared toward meditation, with various nontraditional musical programs. That might calm and sooth him.

You could possibly look into adult daycare. Many people I know use it 2-3 times a week for a break.

The repetitive comments/questions are so much a part of the disease and we all just have to come to terms with it. Some people put on headphone with music and don't answer them... For me, I don't mind just answering. My mom is stage 7 and rambles all day and many nights. I have learned to mostly zone it out.

Our home is quite small as well, but we do have a small (8x10) bedroom for mom but she spends her days in our living room with us. I am sure it is tough in the tight quarters.

Maybe you could use some of dad's money to hire a companion (or maybe even a volunteer from church...or neighborhood) for just a few hours. They could chat with him, have lunch, look at books or photos, do puzzles, anything that works for dad.

Make sure you take a bit of time for yourself each day... Go for a walk, do some yoga, read a book, go shopping, whatever works for you. Tag team with your husband, you go..he stays, then he goes..you stay. That is how my husband and I work it. Once in a while, we have one of our daughters stay and we go together... Or we load mom up and take her with us...but not too often.

It is a lot of work, physically and emotionally. I don't think any of us realize until you do it day in and day out, for weeks, months, years.... One thing that helps me is to remember that this too shall pass. Each stage has its own challenges, then on to the next stage and different challenges. I don't think you will ever regret taking Care of him later in your life. You will look bad a be glad you gave him this time.

Let me first ask a question: why are you taking care of FIL? If you're married, I assume your husband isn't helping? If you're no longer together, FIL should be your husband's, not your, obligation.

Are there are noncontributing siblings?

Does he have funds for independent living?

If this were me, I'd have a friendly sit down talk and let me know that he's making you ill to the point that you can't care for him. Mention the words IL or AL so he can begin to think of alternate living (even if you don't plan to explore these options).

He's dominant in the household, and you'll need to stop that, but with dementia you have an added challenge. Do you think it's time to find another home for him, such as in memory care?

Also, breathing. I don't know if this is true for you too, but from time to time I noticed that I was literally holding my breath from sheer tension. Going into the utility room, closing the door, and doing the slowly in through the nose and then blowing out through pursed lips (like blowing out a candle) exercise did honestly help.

And do you get any physical activity? - apart from the endless domestic round, I mean. Working up a bit of a sweat and getting out of breath - ten minutes' speed walking round the block, e.g. - is good for the system in general. I had 'Liberty Bell' on my iPod for the purpose.

I feel for you on the constant scrutiny + running commentary aspect. Gosh what a bind it is. Elderly person asking innocent questions, harmless remarks on "the bleedin' obvious": why should it be so difficult just to nod and smile and rejoin "'deed I am busy!" or "yes, I expect I do look tired"? Because the effect of someone doing this is, I hope, probably as close as we'll get to the auditory hallucinations of schizophrenia and IT DRIVES ONE NUTS!!!

Hugemom - thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate that!

Snoopy, I'll try the DGL, thank you!!

SendHelp - Well, I don't drink much coffee anyway, some mornings I don't have any at all, but I already drink 1/2 caf Americanos - yum! ;) As for slowing down, again I will say...lol! But, it's a nice thought.

CountryMouse - good thoughts, all. I do try to exercise, but it seems the most stressful weeks are also the ones where it's tough to get out. Ugh. I'm going to try for a bike ride today, though! The breathing exercise is a good thought, too. Yes, I hold my breath a lot. And I laughed hard at this:

"Because the effect of someone doing this is, I hope, probably as close as we'll get to the auditory hallucinations of schizophrenia and IT DRIVES ONE NUTS!!!"

Yep!!! Thanks for all the help and understanding, everyone!