Carol, could you give us a little more information?
How old is your mother? Does she have chronic conditions besides the dementia? (COPD, CHF, Diabetes, mobility issues, etc)
Of course things change as dementia progresses, but right now does she have hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, belief that others are stealing from her, extreme anger, depression, anxiety? Is she being treated for any of these things? How successful is the treatment? Does she wander?
What has the your relationship with your mother been like in the past? Best friends? Cordial relationship? Distance? Some conflict? Any abuse?
What is your home situation? Are there others in the household? Do you hold a job? How is your health?
Do you have brothers or sisters? What is their relationship with your mother like?
Each situation is unique. The more we know about your situation the more relevant our advice can be.
First off you do deserve credit, tons and tons of credit, but that doesn't mean its teh best thing to do. I have to agree with pamstegma on this one. Think long and hard, then think again and again before you do this. We all start off with the best of intentions and with lots of love. I burnt out and could no longer cope. The guilt at having to admit that almost destroyed me. My mum has been in assisted living now for 9 months and hasn't lived here with me for almost 12 months, but I'm nowhere near back to being myself. Mum, on the other hand is having a wonderful time. Caring for an elder, let alone one who may have dementia, is nothing like caring for a child. You can look after your mother in many ways other than by sacrificing your life and that is what can happen. It is of course your decision, but please think long and hard.
Regardless of what others say I think you deserve a h3ll of a lot of credit.When these people on here advise against it they forget when they were little and pooped there pants there mother and father did not put them in a home.Bring your mother into your home and give her the dignity she deserves.You are the kind of person this country is so lscking today.Thankyou for looking after ypur mother.
How old is your mother? Does she have chronic conditions besides the dementia? (COPD, CHF, Diabetes, mobility issues, etc)
Of course things change as dementia progresses, but right now does she have hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, belief that others are stealing from her, extreme anger, depression, anxiety? Is she being treated for any of these things? How successful is the treatment? Does she wander?
What has the your relationship with your mother been like in the past? Best friends? Cordial relationship? Distance? Some conflict? Any abuse?
What is your home situation? Are there others in the household? Do you hold a job? How is your health?
Do you have brothers or sisters? What is their relationship with your mother like?
Each situation is unique. The more we know about your situation the more relevant our advice can be.
I have to agree with pamstegma on this one. Think long and hard, then think again and again before you do this. We all start off with the best of intentions and with lots of love.
I burnt out and could no longer cope. The guilt at having to admit that almost destroyed me. My mum has been in assisted living now for 9 months and hasn't lived here with me for almost 12 months, but I'm nowhere near back to being myself. Mum, on the other hand is having a wonderful time.
Caring for an elder, let alone one who may have dementia, is nothing like caring for a child. You can look after your mother in many ways other than by sacrificing your life and that is what can happen.
It is of course your decision, but please think long and hard.