I'm feeling whiny

Jeanne C.

My husband's aide has been out since Wednesday and the agency hasn't found a sub. Wednesday was awful - he had been up most of Tuesday night (meaning I had been up most of Tuesday night) so I struggled. We got through it. Yesterday was rough. We got through it. This morning I'm mainlining coffee and he's removing the handles from the kitchen drawers. We'll get through it. But I'm staring down Saturday and Sunday with dread…

Ok. Whining over.

LadyM

Hugs to you! I’m sending positive vibes and prayers your way that they find a caregiver soon for you. I am a caregiver for an outer man with dementia and he is basically pretty much bedridden now he has gone downhill so fast and his poor son God love him, can understand why, but that unfortunately is their trajectory sometimes of the disease Caregiving is one of the hardest job that could ever have.
Please make sure you take care of yourself.

trottingalong

oh my. I can hear the exhaustion in your writing. I hope they find a substitute soon to give you the much needed break. I can handle a lot with a good nights sleep. But when that doesn’t happen, the fatigue and frustration can be overwhelming.

Caro_Lynne

Hang in there! Like we have a choice LOL. Hope you can get some rest xo

Jeanne C.

Thanks, all. I'm doing ok. I know how lucky I am to have help. He's pretty advanced (on hospice) but mostly easy. But it's an eyes-on situation. I'd love to grab a shower that lasts longer than 5 minutes or run out for a smoothie. I know you get it. I'm a little frustrated that the agency has no backup plan. And it's disheartening when one of your family members can't cover you for a half hour because it's not convenient. We get through it because, like Caro Lynne says, we have no choice.

orth

I feel for you. You have a right to feel the way you do. Take care

Denise1847

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/217854#Comment_217854

Hi Jeanne, I hear the exhaustion in your writing. I cannot function without sleep so I am can so commiserate with you. It sounds like you may want to consider a different agency or a back-up agency. If they have not had someone this time, it could happen again. Protect yourself for getting ill. Take care.

M1

Unfortunately this is the norm, not the exception; caregivers left in droves during/after covid and likely never will recover, unless pay goes up significantly. It's very hard work caring for people in their homes, many work two half days (four hours for example) and are responsibile for their own transportation and gas. Not an easy way to make a living. Trying to get someone for anything less than half a day is virtually impossible.

​fesk

I agree with M1 but am not even sure increased pay will help. I hired several private aides in addition to working with agencies over the years. The private aides were paid well and were still unreliable. Hoping they get a replacement to you soon,