I will soon be the sole caregiver of my mother when she moves into the development where I live in less than a month. She has advanced MS (is in an electric wheelchair, though can do much for herself), COPD and an aortic aneurysm. I will be getting her some homecare, but she insists on only a couple of hours a day. She prefers to be alone.

I know that my life will revolve around her. Get home from work, check in on her, do whatever she needs, go to bed, rinse and repeat. I already have a small life (very few friends, none here, and I only moved here a year ago) and it will become even smaller. I've wanted to expand my life, my social life especially, but thought I had the time to do so, which now I don't.

My mother has just gotten to the point where she needs a lot more care, so I'm moving her right by me. My brother lives 25 mins away, but has no time to help. Or he does have some time, but will not be spending his little free time helping with her. Or so he has made clear to me.

My question is this: has anyone been in this position before (being the sole caretaker of an ill parent)? And if so, how did/do you deal with the stress and the lack of time for yourself? Do you have any suggestions or strategies as to how to keep your sanity, as to how to have a life at all outside of taking care of your loved one?

Thanks.