Are you sure you want to exit? Your progress will be lost.
Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
✔
I acknowledge and authorize
✔
I consent to the collection of my consumer health data.*
✔
I consent to the sharing of my consumer health data with qualified home care agencies.*
*If I am consenting on behalf of someone else, I have the proper authorization to do so. By clicking Get My Results, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from us and our customer communities. Your consent is not a condition to using our service. Please visit our Terms of Use. for information about our privacy practices.
Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
You are suffering from depression, and by sleeping all the time you don't have to deal with your new reality.....without your husband. Sometimes people think that if I just keep sleeping eventually these feelings of loss will go away. But guess what? They won't, until you start to deal with them in a healthy manner. So I would start with making an appointment with your doctor and have them put you on a antidepressant(even temporarily)so you can start dealing with things better. Then I would definitely join a Grief support group in your area. Most places have what is called Grief Share meetings and they often are held in local churches, so I would "Google" to see where one is near you. If your husband was under hospice care at the end, they too offer grief counseling for a year at no charge, so that is an option too. Also I would recommend reading the book Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief by Martha Whitmore Hickman. It allows you to handle your grief just one day at a time, which I found to be very helpful. I cared for my husband for 24 1/2 years of our 26 year marriage, and he died in Sept. 2020, and I still read that book every morning, as it still brings me comfort. I was also fortunate to have my caregivers support group that was with me the last 2 1/2 years of my husbands life, that continued to be with me after he died. I know that it may not seem like it now, but I'm here to tell you that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that there is even joy. That is pray for you my dear sister in grief, that in time you will be able to find your joy again, and be open to it. God bless you.
The five stages, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to live with the one we lost. You are likely in the depression stage right now, but it's common to waffle back and forth between the 4 stages on your way to finding acceptance, which takes quite a while.
The sixth stage of grief is now thought to be Finding Meaning; because those who cared for a loved one for a long time, such as yourself, now will find themselves alone and perhaps without meaning in life. What now? What do I do NOW? Is a question often asked after a loved one departs. There is a link to Kessler's book on that site as well, The Sixth Stage of Grief: Finding Meaning: In this book, Kessler gives readers a roadmap to remembering those who have died with more love than pain; he shows us how to move forward in a way that honors our loved ones. Kessler’s insight is both professional and intensely personal. His journey with grief began when, as a child, he witnessed a mass shooting at the same time his mother was dying. For most of his life, Kessler taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about end of life, trauma, and grief, as well as leading talks and retreats for those experiencing grief. Despite his knowledge, his life was upended by the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son. How does the grief expert handle such a tragic loss? He knew he had to find a way through this unexpected, devastating loss, a way that would honor his son. That, ultimately, was the sixth state of grief—meaning. In Finding Meaning, Kessler shares the insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools that will help those experiencing loss.
If your depression doesn't resolve within the next month or so, please do call your doctor for a consultation.
My deepest condolences on the loss of your dear husband. Sending you a hug and a prayer for peace.
J, I am so very sorry for your loss. This is a HUGE change. It not only robs you of your beloved, but it puts you in a limbo of having now been cut loose in mid air and in a state of free fall. If you aren't his 24/7 caregiver then who are you. If you aren't thinking, planning, worrying over him 24/7 then what IS there to think on. Do know that sleeping too much and sleeping to little, and sleep pattern changes can be a sign of depression. Some depression is normal in grieving. But when it becomes worrisome it is time to seek help. Start with your MD. Consider counseling so you can work this out and comb through your thoughts. Listen to your dreams and start a dream journal. As you write them out you will know how your mind is attempting to help you work through things in your sleep. Consider a short term low dose anti depressant to form a bridge over troubled waters for a while. Consider a grief support group. If you have none in your area then consider forming one. Churches are a great place to do this if you are a person of faith. Be easy on yourself. Everyone grieves in his or her own way, and things move in stages, sometimes see-saw back and forth. It is as individual as your own thumb print. Seek out people who want to talk. Who want to listen. Who want to share when you are able to. When my beloved brother died it helped me to write to him, memories,thoughts, and I collaged the notebook. Consider a new hobby as you get a bit better. Knitting class? Sewing? Sketching? I would recommend two books on grieving. Neither involves someone so tightly knit as a victim of alzheimer's and a caregiver, but both will show you some of the thoughts and ways of those entering this unknown. One is Joan Didion's book The Year of Magical Thinking. the other is C.S. Lewis's A Grief Observed. Again, my deepest condolences to you. Try to allow yourself in all you feel to feel also the relief of knowing you never have to fear for your husband again.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
So I would start with making an appointment with your doctor and have them put you on a antidepressant(even temporarily)so you can start dealing with things better. Then I would definitely join a Grief support group in your area. Most places have what is called Grief Share meetings and they often are held in local churches, so I would "Google" to see where one is near you. If your husband was under hospice care at the end, they too offer grief counseling for a year at no charge, so that is an option too.
Also I would recommend reading the book Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief by Martha Whitmore Hickman. It allows you to handle your grief just one day at a time, which I found to be very helpful.
I cared for my husband for 24 1/2 years of our 26 year marriage, and he died in Sept. 2020, and I still read that book every morning, as it still brings me comfort.
I was also fortunate to have my caregivers support group that was with me the last 2 1/2 years of my husbands life, that continued to be with me after he died.
I know that it may not seem like it now, but I'm here to tell you that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that there is even joy.
That is pray for you my dear sister in grief, that in time you will be able to find your joy again, and be open to it. God bless you.
— You Don’t Just Lose Someone Once —
You lose them over and over,
sometimes many times a day.
When the loss, momentarily forgotten,
creeps up,
and attacks you from behind.
Fresh waves of grief as the realisation hits home,
they are gone.
Again.
You don’t just lose someone once,
you lose them every time you open your eyes to a new dawn,
and as you awaken,
so does your memory,
so does the jolting bolt of lightning that rips into your heart,
they are gone.
Again.
Losing someone is a journey,
not a one-off.
There is no end to the loss,
there is only a learned skill on how to stay afloat,
when it washes over.
Be kind to those who are sailing this stormy sea,
they have a journey ahead of them,
and a daily shock to the system each time they realise,
they are gone,
Again.
You don’t just lose someone once,
you lose them every day,
for a lifetime.
© Donna Ashworth Words
Here is a link to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross & David Kessler's The 5 Stages of Grief discussion:
https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/#:~:text=The%20five%20stages%2C%20denial%2C%20anger,with%20the%20one%20we%20lost.
The five stages, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to live with the one we lost. You are likely in the depression stage right now, but it's common to waffle back and forth between the 4 stages on your way to finding acceptance, which takes quite a while.
The sixth stage of grief is now thought to be Finding Meaning; because those who cared for a loved one for a long time, such as yourself, now will find themselves alone and perhaps without meaning in life. What now? What do I do NOW? Is a question often asked after a loved one departs. There is a link to Kessler's book on that site as well, The Sixth Stage of Grief: Finding Meaning: In this book, Kessler gives readers a roadmap to remembering those who have died with more love than pain; he shows us how to move forward in a way that honors our loved ones. Kessler’s insight is both professional and intensely personal. His journey with grief began when, as a child, he witnessed a mass shooting at the same time his mother was dying. For most of his life, Kessler taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about end of life, trauma, and grief, as well as leading talks and retreats for those experiencing grief. Despite his knowledge, his life was upended by the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son.
How does the grief expert handle such a tragic loss? He knew he had to find a way through this unexpected, devastating loss, a way that would honor his son. That, ultimately, was the sixth state of grief—meaning. In Finding Meaning, Kessler shares the insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools that will help those experiencing loss.
If your depression doesn't resolve within the next month or so, please do call your doctor for a consultation.
My deepest condolences on the loss of your dear husband. Sending you a hug and a prayer for peace.
Do know that sleeping too much and sleeping to little, and sleep pattern changes can be a sign of depression. Some depression is normal in grieving. But when it becomes worrisome it is time to seek help. Start with your MD. Consider counseling so you can work this out and comb through your thoughts. Listen to your dreams and start a dream journal. As you write them out you will know how your mind is attempting to help you work through things in your sleep. Consider a short term low dose anti depressant to form a bridge over troubled waters for a while. Consider a grief support group. If you have none in your area then consider forming one. Churches are a great place to do this if you are a person of faith.
Be easy on yourself. Everyone grieves in his or her own way, and things move in stages, sometimes see-saw back and forth. It is as individual as your own thumb print.
Seek out people who want to talk. Who want to listen. Who want to share when you are able to.
When my beloved brother died it helped me to write to him, memories,thoughts, and I collaged the notebook. Consider a new hobby as you get a bit better. Knitting class? Sewing? Sketching?
I would recommend two books on grieving. Neither involves someone so tightly knit as a victim of alzheimer's and a caregiver, but both will show you some of the thoughts and ways of those entering this unknown.
One is Joan Didion's book The Year of Magical Thinking.
the other is C.S. Lewis's A Grief Observed.
Again, my deepest condolences to you. Try to allow yourself in all you feel to feel also the relief of knowing you never have to fear for your husband again.