Death of loved one. How to transitioning from caregiving?

I'm sorry about your father's death.It does sound like he was ready, though, and that helps most of us. Many people stop eating and drinking when they are ready to let go. Your dream tells me that you were very tuned him to him and a wonderful caregiver.

Now you will have to transition and sometimes it will be hard. Grieving isn't a straight line either - sometimes when you think you're fine, you'll get blindsided by grief. You'll weather it though and go on.

It may help to read this article: https://www.agingcare.com/articles/caregiving-ending-after-death-148071.htm

Time to take care of yourself, now.
Carol

Heart 2Heart gave you great advice. I was not trying to be so self centered, but my answer came off that way. I meant to say you just have to ride it out and let yourself grieve. With parents it took me a long time. At least a year for each of them. Even now, 34 years after losing my mother, I can think of her, remember a loving part of her life and burst into tears. I was so close to my Dad because he lived with us after mother died. It took even longer to get over the initial loss. You just have to let it happen. Everyone is different. But try to get back into something that interests you, or get back to work if you are working, and definitely lean on your friends and family! They love you and want you to get back into life too. I am just about back to normal now! It has been almost three months and Dave was not a husband or a father, but still I loved him a lot as a brother-in-law! He depended on me to do everything! Be kind to yourself.

I lost my brother-in-law for whom I was caregiver. My husband also has Alzheimer's. That's why I was in charge. It seemed to take forever for me to snap back. I just let myself recover naturally. I slept a lot, stopped going to things, did not give presents, or send cards for Christmas. Dave died on Dec 10. I just couldn't get into anything. I was shut down for several weeks. About the beginning of Feb a grief counselor from Hospice called to counsel me. We talked a little but basically I was beginning to get back to normal. I am still being lazy right now, but coming around. I still have to care for my husband and my three doggies. I just got a new puppy. He is a lot of work but it is helping a lot. I would say after a few months you have to get back into life. I am dreading when I am without my husband. It will be the hugest void. But these years will prepare me for it! I still love and honor him but I log for a person to talk to about it!

I'm so sorry about the loss of your father... I understand... I lost my father when I was 18 (he was only 45)... ever since, I've been 'holding' on to my mother who is 86 and presently living with me... Of course, it's not easy, but we can only try our best. We're never ever prepared for the loss of a loved one... When my dad was terminally ill (back then they didn't know how to treat cancer... and, he literally was a guinea pig... on experimental drugs)... He suffered immensely... even then, at 18, I never knew 'death' and never thought he would really die... but, now that I'm older, I'm so grateful that he's not suffering any more and pray he's in heaven with his parents and siblings... My heart is with you... wish I was there to give you a big hug... You're not alone... grief, cry and know your father loved you so much... You are a very special, loving daughter... He would want you to go on with your life and be happy... It'll take time... but, this is the circle of life... Love you... Linda