New Member - 2nd Parent With Dementia. Panicking a bit.

chestnut chickadee

Hi all - I am glad I found this group. I am just beginning the dementia caregiving journey with my mom (mid stage) after losing my dad to Alz in 2012. I was also one of his primary caregivers. I guess I am feeling mostly right now like I don't want to do this again! I know too well the journey and I am feeling pretty exhausted and down about it all. The "I'm alone in this" feeling is the hardest part for me so I guess I am just here to read about others' experiences and share mine.  Thanks.

LaurenB

Good morning and welcome.  This is also my second round with a parent.

Ed1937

Hi chickadee. Welcome to the forum, but sorry for what you are going through. The fact that you don't want to do this again is easy to understand. Hopefully after posting for a couple of days, you won't feel so alone anymore. Reading other's posts and sharing your experiences is therapeutic.

chestnut chickadee

Thank you. Yes, that is my hope.

chestnut chickadee

Thank you for replying. I am sorry you are also having to be on this journey with both parents. It feels pretty overwhelming some days. How are you coping?

Smilescountry

Hi!  I am fairly new to this forum, too, and my father is in the mid stages of Alzheimer's while my mother also has some cognitive decline, so I am dealing with two at once.  I decided early on to get some professional, one-on-one help.  My insurance pays for counseling, so I am using that.  I have two wonderful sisters who help, but I am the principal caregiver.  Because our mother was not able to care for our dad, and the two wanted to stay together, they are both in assisted living.  They are at a very nice place, and, while I still do quite a bit for them, I can always get a good night's sleep.  My husband and I spent a few years taking care of his parents and sister, and I know very well the "I don't want to do this again" feeling.  It would have been nice to have our parents stay with us sisters, but we are all older, too, and cannot take on that responsibility.