I see a major decline in my social life. I'm finding it's harder and harder to relate to folks who do not have this care in their life. Some friends have stayed away and others, even though they mean well, say things like stay away and don't do as much for mother, but there's no one else to pick up the pieces for sure. They see what it's doing, and make judgements, but no one is really stepping in to help because it's too much. It's sad, isn't it, how it affects every aspect of life.
My husband and I have been living apart for the past year. He is in our house and I am living with my mom. We all have dinner together. He and I look forward to trips to grocery or drug store.
My one social thing is I teach a pastels class at the local senior center. 1.5 hrs absorbed in drawing and art!
I feel disconnected from friends as even phone calls are difficult. (And as stated by several folks, many friends make comments about how I shouldn't do what I am doing.)
I think that what does bother me most is that the same people who would never do it themselves are the first to say that people who do it, get something out of it for themselves, and it is some kind of scam. My god they wouldn't last a week, and have no intention of trying. They just like to rationalize it because they feel guilty I think.