Hi all, I care for my 95 year old father, who has numerous health issues, inculding lung cancer, which cant be treated due to his age, so he’s receiving paliative care. I’ve been caring for him for 3 years. I’m 64 with health issues of my own. As he deteriorates, I’m finding it harder and harder to cope mentally and physically.
I’m on the app and can’t work out how to reply on here. I tried replying to you on email @selinakylie, but I got a message saying it wasnt allowed.
@selinakylie, support is thin on the ground at the moment. One of my brothers lives abroad, one lives 2 hours drive away, another sits with dad for me to go out now and then, and another sits with dad for a couple of hours, usually on a Tuesday. I work from home 4 mornings a week. Tuesdays are generally my day off. However, both brothers go away on holidays frequently, which pretty much leaves me stuck.
My children do what they can, but are all working, with young children of their own.
Along with all my dad’s other ailments, he’s just been diagnosed with early stages mixed dementia and has started pulling his stoma bag off in his sleep. This has happened 2 nights in a row, plus 3 nights ago, his catheter bag blocked at 2.30 in the morning. I’ve had less than 8 hours sleep over the last 3 days. I’m completely exhausted!
I’m hoping I can find a carerlocally who will stay over a weekend in early June so that I can visit friends. I contacted a local care company, but they charge £350 per day for a 24 hr carer.
We have a carer every morning to wash/shower and dress my father. I’m thinking of asking one of them if they could do it off the books. What do you think?
@Charlesh47 thanks for your reply. Sounds like I have it easy compared to you. I don’t know how you manage!
