Believe me when I tell you that many of us here have the problem of not having time off as a caregiver. My mom has lived with me since 2005. I took care of my mom long before she lived with me too. Took care of my dad too, also an older brother who is now deceased. It’s physically and emotionally exhausting.
My siblings don’t help at all. My mother is very dependent on me. Codependency isn’t healthy for anyone.
The only time I did get a break was an emergency room visit to the hospital for myself. It was an asthma attack and they kept me in hospital for three days using oxygen and breathing machine. They sent me home with a breathing machine too. That’s not a fun break!
The only thing we can we can do is hire a sitter I suppose, if there is no one to pitch in. Sitters are expensive on a regular basis. I haven’t ever done that. But I am burning out just like you are. It’s hard, very hard. Good luck to you. I hope all of us find a solution.
That's very difficult. I also take care of my dad. Can you find a caregiver that can give you some respite, like a couple times a week. That might help. We all need time off. so healing. Talk to someone about finding a caregiver
Loyaline, if you are burning out after a few months, then you need to make some immediate changes. Please note that up to 40% of family caregivers die leaving behind the love one they were caring. Those are not good odds.
I wasn't hands-on, but was logistical regarding my parents who refused to move from their multi-level home being in their 90's. Someone was always falling, lots of doctor appointments, grocery shopping, regular shopping, and I was still full-time with my career. No vacations, stopped dining out, stopped going to the movies, etc. for fear of those numerous "fall calls". In those 6 years, I crashed and burned twice.
I did get a break for almost 4 months [no pun intended] when I fell and broke my arm. It was my primary arm so that made it even more complicated. Recovery was slow and painful because I was a senior myself.
Is there any way your Dad can budget to have a caregiver come in for a few hours a couple times a week? The Agency caregivers were such a relief later on down the road when my Dad said he needed help at home [Mom had passed].
Try looking around for a Companion Service, sometimes called Adult Baby sitters.
I had 13 hours off while I had stints put in my leg. That is the longest time off I have had in about 30 months. And she was around the whole time I laid in the hospital bed. Then when I got home I found my tailbone bleeding slightly from a worn out mattress. Great time off.
My siblings don’t help at all. My mother is very dependent on me. Codependency isn’t healthy for anyone.
The only time I did get a break was an emergency room visit to the hospital for myself. It was an asthma attack and they kept me in hospital for three days using oxygen and breathing machine. They sent me home with a breathing machine too. That’s not a fun break!
The only thing we can we can do is hire a sitter I suppose, if there is no one to pitch in. Sitters are expensive on a regular basis. I haven’t ever done that. But I am burning out just like you are. It’s hard, very hard. Good luck to you. I hope all of us find a solution.
I wasn't hands-on, but was logistical regarding my parents who refused to move from their multi-level home being in their 90's. Someone was always falling, lots of doctor appointments, grocery shopping, regular shopping, and I was still full-time with my career. No vacations, stopped dining out, stopped going to the movies, etc. for fear of those numerous "fall calls". In those 6 years, I crashed and burned twice.
I did get a break for almost 4 months [no pun intended] when I fell and broke my arm. It was my primary arm so that made it even more complicated. Recovery was slow and painful because I was a senior myself.
Is there any way your Dad can budget to have a caregiver come in for a few hours a couple times a week? The Agency caregivers were such a relief later on down the road when my Dad said he needed help at home [Mom had passed].
I had 13 hours off while I had stints put in my leg. That is the longest time off I have had in about 30 months. And she was around the whole time I laid in the hospital bed. Then when I got home I found my tailbone bleeding slightly from a worn out mattress. Great time off.