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Companionship for the caregiver

theeck109
theeck109 Member Posts: 1 Member
in Caring For a Spouse or Partner

I live in MA and for the last 3 plus years as my wife’s condition has continued to worsen the isolation has become overwhelming. I need social contact, adult conversation. I cannot be alone with this struggle and my hope is to connect with a woman who may be experiencing issues and to at some point meet for lunch, coffee just to bring back some semblance of normalcy. As we speak my wife is still at home.

Comments

  • trottingalong
    trottingalong Member Posts: 964
    Ninth Anniversary 500 Care Reactions 500 Likes 250 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    I hope you are able to connect with someone that can understand your situation and give you a social outlet.

  • Chance Rider
    Chance Rider Member Posts: 267
    250 Care Reactions 250 Likes 100 Comments 25 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    I often find the isolation and loneliness to be overwhelming at times, and I’ve only been caretaker for about a year. I’m still able to meet with 4 other female friends for a couple of hours a week. When that needs to stop I’m sure I’ll feel lost and alone.

    I hope you find someone who understands to connect with. And, while not the same as in-person connections, I’ve found this to be a very welcoming and supportive community.

  • jgreen
    jgreen Member Posts: 285
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    Member

    dear @theeck109,

    Do you have a senior center or maybe a church that offers respite/adult day care in your area? Perhaps if you do you could visit the center with your DW to see if that might be a good place for her to be able to socialize and have planned activities for a few hours. You might find other spouses/caregivers you could meet with outside that center to talk with? Might be worth a try.

    I am fortunate in that my DH has wonderful friends who meet once a month and take hubby along so I can have time to myself. And as @Chance Rider said - this group is a wonderful outlet and support.

    Do come back and let us know how you are doing.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 3,173
    1,500 Likes 1,000 Insightfuls Reactions 2500 Comments 1,000 Care Reactions
    Member

    Caregiving for a LO with dementia is very lonely. We know how you feel. Some memory care facilities have support groups open to the public. You could look there.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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