I got thrust into caregiving 5 years ago by the convalescent hospital staff. I was scared to care for my husband post stroke; however, the hospital staff assured me they would train me. They missed teaching me everything. I felt worthless and scared. I cry a lot. I got diagnosed as having situational depression. 5 years later, I'm angry, resentful, and lonely as H*LL. It is inappropriate to talk to my kids and my friends all have well spouses so they don't understand. Does anyone relate? I feel so alone!
** Caregivers Coffee Break**
Come and hang out when you feel lonely! ❤️
i understand. Does your husband have family near? Give Him to them for a day. Find out if there are any adult day cares you can use. Ask one of his friends to take him to a ball game. (I don’t know the level of care he needs but if the staff gave him to you to take care of with no help I’m sure they can manage a few hours.
I was blessed that my husband had four friends who kept visiting him after his stroke. We had 3 children, 13, 11, 8 He was physically fairly well off but had dementia. Enough said. You know.
Caregivers can become invisible.
Shame on the hospital staff that put you in this situation. I hope it's not too late to get help from a visiting nurse service. What exactly do you feel you need to be trained to do for your husband?
Please know that you are not alone.
Good luck to you. My caregiving situation has ended and I'm back to a self-focused life and that's good for me. I found this site to be so helpful when I needed to connect to others for support, or just vent my heart out.
How does one join the conversation thread Pepsee set-up? Big hugs and good wishes
thecaregiverspace.org
I just found this one through a Google search — you can click on for example “ All Caregivers” and then join the group. I think I’ll join it myself also.
I hope it it turns out to be a good site. Looks like there are other, more specific, chat rooms through this site too.
Take care,
Sheila
I can say that this month was jackpot for us. I found a hair salon that does more than ethnic hair and trendy hair styles and a fabulous young hair stylist to take care of her hair and a manicurist whose own mother has dementia. She was so patient with wife and did an excellent job on wife's hands. It was just a relief for me. Almost like a day off.
Sure beats the other type of workers that have very little patients with her. Which causes more work for me and leaves both of us worn out.
Yes I am lonely with only the people on here and my brother 1800 miles away to talk or listen to.
This site is almost like "Me" time. I can relax a bit when I am here.