[EJ711]

My husband insists on living in a rural area, with very few support systems. I'm still working part-time to help make ends meet. I was off from work for six weeks this summer. I was so tired from trying to manage everything by myself, I just seemed to nap and sleep. I really had a hard time motivating myself to go back to school to teach this semester. Most semesters I barely break even, but this semester I won't even break even, because I decided it was in my best interest to drop one of the classes they wanted me to teach. All of the materials associated with this class are very poorly organized. I have been teaching college mostly for my mental health the last five years.

With my husband not doing well either, I decided I owed it to myself to allow myself enough down time to keep myself together.

I turned 65 over the summer, and psychologically it really hit me hard.

Oh well I taught my first set of classes on Wednesday, and will be back in the classroom tomorrow.

I just wanted to post here to touch base with other people in the caregiving role.

EJ

[layla11]

Hi Ej711, I m a caregiver also, my husband has been very ill for years. Almost died before he got a liver transplant and now is a dialysis patient. He has other heath problems also. It has been very hard this has gone on and on. Anyway he was on painkillers and down to 130 pounds, had several bowel blockages, any way I wont go on. I am very isolated also. For one thing I live in a very hot climate and dont want to go anywhere. My husband and I are almost hermets, we havent been out since thanksgiving. I go to grocery and pickup up food but we stay in. Anyway, dont really know what my point is except. Iam happy to talk to you.

[Leed]

My gosh - Both of you ladies need RESPITE care badly! You need Hospice or someone to come in and relieve you a couple of times a week so you can just sleep or run errands or do whatever it is you WANT to do.

Hospice isn't JUST for dying patients. It's for patients who are ill for long-term. Hospice helps with that too. So why not give them a call. Most iinsurance companies pay for that. And usually Medicare does -- check is to make sure. And check your additional insurance to see if they pay for it too.

Everyone needs some time to themselves even if it's just to take a nap!! I'm sure you're both exhausted -- mentally if not physically. And I'm sure you both need some time OUT by yourselves to just go smewhere, like shopping, or taking a walk, or taking a drive, etc. It's only normal to need some time.

I hope you both will call Hospice and look into having some respite care. I'm concerned about both of you. I'm concerned about your physical health as well as your mental health. You're pushing yourselves much too hard, and it's very hard on you! So please think about it, ok? Think about it == and take care of yourself. God bless & let us know how you're doing. Hugs, Lee

[layla11]

Hi, yes I'm going to do this. thank you so much. I didnt know about the Hospice care.

[EJ711]

Layla,

Thanks for reaching out to me.

Please feel free to go into more detail about your situation either on the forum or in a PM.

Yes, caregiving is very isolating.

I supervised by elderly parents care for a total of seven years, starting in 1990.

EJ

Originally Posted by layla11

Hi Ej711, I m a caregiver also, my husband has been very ill for years. Almost died before he got a liver transplant and now is a dialysis patient. He has other heath problems also. It has been very hard this has gone on and on. Anyway he was on painkillers and down to 130 pounds, had several bowel blockages, any way I wont go on. I am very isolated also. For one thing I live in a very hot climate and dont want to go anywhere. My husband and I are almost hermets, we havent been out since thanksgiving. I go to grocery and pickup up food but we stay in. Anyway, dont really know what my point is except. Iam happy to talk to you.

[EJ711]

Hi Leed,

What a supportive post!

Thank you for the tip about Hospice. I will look into it shortly too .

I am feeling physically and emotionally exhausted at the time.

EJ

Originally Posted by Leed

My gosh - Both of you ladies need RESPITE care badly! You need Hospice or someone to come in and relieve you a couple of times a week so you can just sleep or run errands or do whatever it is you WANT to do.

Hospice isn't JUST for dying patients. It's for patients who are ill for long-term. Hospice helps with that too. So why not give them a call. Most iinsurance companies pay for that. And usually Medicare does -- check is to make sure. And check your additional insurance to see if they pay for it too.

Everyone needs some time to themselves even if it's just to take a nap!! I'm sure you're both exhausted -- mentally if not physically. And I'm sure you both need some time OUT by yourselves to just go smewhere, like shopping, or taking a walk, or taking a drive, etc. It's only normal to need some time.

I hope you both will call Hospice and look into having some respite care. I'm concerned about both of you. I'm concerned about your physical health as well as your mental health. You're pushing yourselves much too hard, and it's very hard on you! So please think about it, ok? Think about it == and take care of yourself. God bless & let us know how you're doing. Hugs, Lee

[bebop]

Ladies you both need time to regroup and refresh! I know that feeling too but from different things. It is rough caregiving full time!