Grandma

Hello all,

I'm starting to feel overwhelmed by work and chores, which is normally the start of my low periods

But more than that, I wanted to share that my Grandma went into a care home yesterday. She's the last of my grandparents still alive. Both my sets of grandparents lived very close to my parents, so I saw a lot of them as a kid, but I live quite far away now. My mum's dad died when I was a baby, and her mum about 10 years ago, but they were a lot older than my dad's parents.

My dad's dad died suddenly about 18 months ago, since when my grandma went downhill very rapidly. We suddenly realised just how much Grandpa had been doing to keep her going - turns out he did most of the chores, shopping etc. She was overwhelmed by grief and just couldn't take care of herself and she now has either full Alzheimer's or something close to it.

Anyway, so her going into a home is the best thing, I'm sure. But I just find it scary. She's only 75. My girlfriend's gran is 90 and still totally able to live by herself, really bright and chatty (for her 90th birthday she asked for a shovel so she could do some gardening! I love her ). Although I think the home is the best thing for grandma, in a selfish way it just scares me what's in the future - firstly, taking care of my parents when they get to that age, and then approaching that age myself. Especially seeing my grandma's mental deterioration, as I just feel like that's a real 'Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come' for me personally, as I have learned the hard way just how fragile my mental state is

Hello, BugsyMalone!
Those are heavy weights and you are vulnerable. I'm glad you posted; please take care of yourself. I hope some folks here have the right words for you.

I wish there was some way to reassure you that won't happen to you. I know that Altimimers runs in my family as well. I almost think that my father has it to. I hope for the both of us that it skips a generation or two. Try not to dwell on it ....just try to live from day to day...