My name is Dianna and I’m from Preston I’m in my late 70.s and I’m caring for my partner Elizabeth Anne. We got together on a holiday in France in the mid 80’s and have been together ever since. Nobody knows how difficult it is to care for someone you have loved for so long suffering from dementia until they have to do it themselves.
Every day brings a fresh challenge, I have had little to no support up to now.
There are not just medical issues to deal with there are many other things that must be dealt with too. I’m thinking of getting a couple of weeks respite care for Elizabeth Anne just to have a little break although I do feel guilty at the thought of not being able to cope as well as I should. Elizabeth Anne is getting quite poorly now, and the doctor is suggesting residential care however I am still not certain about that but will see how the respite care goes first. I will let the group know which decision I make or maybe someone can send a post to the group if they have already made this kind of decision, it may help me to make my mind up.
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Comment from GGAT
Like myself Dianna we are not exactly in the first flush of youth and caring for someone with a Dementia related illness often takes its toll on the carer and if Elizabeth Anne is getting to a point where caring for her is effecting your health then I totally understand how difficult things are but you have to give your own health significant consideration.
May GGAT respectfully suggest that whilst Elizabeth Anne is in respite care if you try and take note of everything that is going on around you during your daily visits it will give you actual knowledge on how the care home functions and if the love and care shown to Elizabeth Anne in the home matches or even exceeds your expectations it may help your decision to place her permanently into care.