I'm really struggling lately and feel I'm sinking into depression. My mam is in a dementia facility and although she is settled at times,when I go to see her she is so happy and because she thinks I'm her mammy she clings to me and she thrives when I'm there. Carers couldn't get her to eat yesterday but when I arrived she ate so much and her whole demeanor changed. We played games and listened to music and she was happy. But she only seems to be like this when I'm there give or take the odd day of eating really well. I'm struggling with knowing how scared and sad she is when I'm not there and I'm just crying all the time. I can only visit twice a week because of work but I'm so sad that I want to give up my job so I can see her more but I live alone so my only income is my wages. I just want her to be happy and to thrive but knowing she is sad without me is killing me. I feel I'm letting her down massively and that I'm to blame for her going downhill. I'm so desperately sad and heartbroken. Someone please help me.
Our parents are always happy to see us. But it shouldn't be the only times she's happy. And you should not quit your job. How will you fare in your retirement if you do that?
Is your mom on any antidepressants? Have you told her doctor about her emotional upset?
There is a lot going on here. I assume that you have a close relationship with your mother, but her dementia was bad enough to require her admittance to a facility that specializes in caring for dementia patients. If that is true, your quitting your job to take care of her would not improve her dementia, and from what I understand, it only gets worse. Also, since you need your income to live, that is an impossibility. But I understand the feeling, and the desire to do something to alleviate the unhappiness of your mother, even if your solution doesn’t make sense! There is a feeling of relief at the thought “if I could just bring her home, everything would be all right!”, but it is a fantasy. But, I’ve been there many times in the fantasy.
My mother has finally adjusted to the nursing home, some days are good and others not so much, but that was true even when she lived at home. My father has recently joined her as her roommate. When my brother told her that my father would be arriving the next day, she flipped him the bird, and told one CNA she was getting a divorce. They both seem to be settling down all right now.
Be an advocate for your mother. Realize that you didn’t cause her dementia and the situation she is in, and you can’t fix it, but your visits can bring some joy. In between visits, pray for her. Pray with her before you leave, and pray for her throughout the day as you think of her - for her safety, and comfort, and peace. My prayers are with you Kath, and for your mother.