It’s starting to take a toll on me. My brother seems to not have this problem when he's doing his time with her.
She is also is starting to not let anybody stay with her at night. Which is how I get my relief, but I feel guilty to leave her.
My wife has been supportive and my rock. She’s not even allowed there anymore.
And if mom doesn't have the money, you will have to apply for Medicaid for her. Your mom I'm sure wouldn't want you or your brother giving up your lives to care for her, so time to make some major changes. Best wishes.
Regarding the 'boyfriend' issue - I think if me, I would take this as a cue to step back a bit & find replacement caregivers.
So... What's the main priority as you see it?
Sometimes I hear 'keeping Mother at home'. If so, then round the clock caregivers will be soon needed (if not already) to enable that to be realistic. This will be your challenge - to have them acceptable to Mother & even be let in the door!
Sometimes that statement can be tweaked to: Mother to remain at home *as long as possible or practical*.
Or is it 'keeping Mother calm, safe & comfortable'. If so, that can be done in another setting.
It IS sad to move people from their homes but this is the dilemma: Duty of Care vs Dignity of Choice.
Mother doesn't get to make decisions of this caliber anymore. It's no longer about what she WANTS but about what she NEEDS to keep her safe. You are taking orders from a mind that's now addled with a disease, and no longer making rational decisions or choices.
Mother either 'allows' full time, 24/7 help inside of her home OR she gets placed in Memory Care immediately where there is a 24/7 staff of caregivers to care for her all night long.
It's time for you to make decisions FOR your mother that keep her safe. AD is a horrible disease and one that requires placement when it becomes advanced, in most cases.
Good luck
Of concern is leaving her alone at night. While it is a relief to get out, is it possible to "pretend" to leave, and just wait outside for her to fall asleep, then go back in, quietly? Too many people with dementia end up wandering, sometimes in the middle of the night. That would not end well.
In the meantime, it would be best to start searching for a facility for her. It isn't safe for her to remain in the home. Additionally, it WILL take some of the onus off of you AND allow you to resume your relationship with your angel of a wife!
Once she is safe in a MC facility, you can try visits, but perhaps it would be best to have someone else join you during those visits (sadly not the wife.) It will be better for you to be able to try to be a caring person who visits (you will likely never be son in her mind again) VS a strung out stalked "lover" who provides care-giving!
This is going to require you to take a long look at your mom’s circumstances and possibly have to make some difficult decisions. Your mom may not necessarily need the full time care of facility yet.... I’m not sure. I think if she is still capable of handling her ADL’s then perhaps just supplemental in home help will suffice. There are many benefits to this. An occasional helper can provide positive social interaction that can benefit her mental and physical wellbeing. She may resist at first but she should adjust and hopefully eventually even look forward to it. Finding the right person is key. They have to have good chemistry with her. This will take the attention and stress off of you and give you the needed break. You don’t have to suffer the entire burden and live with guilt. You obviously love your mother and are trying your best to care for her. Guilt is just a natural part of the grieving process we go through as we watch them struggle through this and feel them slip away. But remember to be kind to yourself and protect yourself and your family.
Have you looked into Palliative Care? Sometimes insurances will cover this. We have it for my Father in Law and it’s been a a lifesaver. It was referred to us by his Primary Care Physician. They operate under the service of hospice care but they are not hospice. They come in and offer assistance a few days a week with dressing, bathing (if necessary) light help around the house.... they can help make a bed and help them fix a bite to eat. They engage them socially and can also do exercises and range of motion as well. In addition they have nurses come and make sure all their physical health needs are being met and make sure meds are in order. Even if you think she doesn’t need all this right now sometimes you are surprised at how quickly the situation can progress and then you realize how much your loved one really does need the added support. And so do you. Also, pay attention to meds. Sometimes they need to be adjusted. Meds can play a crucial role in how our loved ones behave. Make sure you or your brother are closely monitoring them. I don’t believe in overmedicating them but I do think if properly prescribed and administered they can make a world of difference.
Good luck🙏🏼
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