Dear Dr. Pepper,
I am on my last nerve. I care for my dad, and it is exhausting. He is in his last years and is physically doing okay but he has dementia. Something has to give. I think it is going to be me.
Barely hanging on.
Dear Barely Hanging On,
What an incredibly challenging situation you are in. I give you kudos for being the caregiver. No one can imagine your days and what internal resources you are expending. I want to be helpful to you, but this topic is like the Grand Canyon of stress, emotions, love, physical exhaustion, financial worries, medical issues – so much.
I want to encourage you to seek support through individual counseling, but I realize you have many constraints. May I provide some support group information that you can access 24-7?
1.) The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group at www.facebook.com/groups/16618357940703886/
2.) www.alzheimers.net/best-alzheimers-support-groups/
3.) Memory Café Directory: www.memorycafedirectory.com
4.) https://dailycaring.com/support-groups-for-caregivers-on-facebook/
Most important message to convey- you are not alone. There are millions of caregivers, and they could also use your support. Perhaps your church has recommendations, or your job has an Employee Assistance program with resources. Your dad’s medical clinic may also have resources.
There are emotional support resources. But there is also respite care resources where you might find a person to relieve you on a regular basis. It is time to google research getting yourself help. I am glad you reached out to me. Let’s get you some relief!
Please let me know how I can further help – more websites, a specific feature of your situation that can be explored in better depth. This column is here to help. Let’s work together to insure your dad gets his needs met AND so do you!
Here for you,
Dr. Pepper James
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