My husband fell again while I was at the dentist. When I came home he was on the floor in the bathroom and never made it to the toilet. I managed to get him on the shower chair and cleaned him up with a shower. While I was trying to get him out of the shower, he fell back into the tub. I had no choice but to call the EMS for help. He might have IBS because this has happened many many times before. He also has Parkinson's and Neuropathy. He is in a wheelchair at all times. He is 82 and I am 81. This time I had him sent to a hospital where they are arranging the 30 day therapy for him. He also has dementia. He knows his name, address, and telephone but never knows what day, year, or season we're in. I am hoping I can take him back home after therapy with some help, but my 2 sons are suggesting visit him every day I keep him in long term care. It's been a rough ride for me for many years. We're married 60 years and never been apart. I cry all the time. I visit him every day but miss him at night. Don't know what to do. I need support and answers. What to do ? I know taking him home would be a hardship for both of us (as I am finding it difficult lifting a pushing him into wheelchair and bed.) I am strong and healthy but concerned about my age. Feeling very guilty.
I'm going to suggest to you that if you keep trying to care for him alone, YOU will end up injured, or worse. Then where will he be?
Of course you're sad! This is a sad thing, being separated from the one you love, but it cant be helped. His conditions dictate his care needs, not what our hopes or dearest wishes.
Please work on getting him placed long term. Talk to YOUR doctor today about your deep sadness. You may need some meds to get you back on your happy, productive life path.
((((((Hugs))))))))
Guilt is for when you've done something wrong, correct? What do you think you've done wrong? Getting your dear one professional care? Taking care of yourself?
These are not unreasonable actions. These are well thought out and caring actions. No guilt!!
Do what is best for BOTH of you.
The thing is, bringing him home would be a hardship for both of you, but it would also be really risky for both of you. He has already fallen, twice, and had a bathroom accident just to rub salt into the wounds; but then think how much worse it might have been if you'd been injured trying to help him.
In a perfect world, there would be a continuing care facility that you could both move into so that you can continue to lead your normal independent life but with all the support you need to meet his care needs. Is there anything like that in your area? What are your options?
I would try to find a facility that would meet his needs and where you can stay together. I live in AZ and we have lovely facilities that have layers of care so that spouses can remain together for as long as possible and both get their needs met, you could do activities and socialization while a professional staff is helping your husband with activities and socialization that are appropriate for his condition.
I am sorry that you are facing this decision, it is a difficult time and you are wise to see that you need assistance.
Please try to get some rest while your husband is being cared for by professionals. You need to your strength and your wellbeing matters a great deal for both of you. Do you have anybody that can spend a few nights with you?
Take care of you during this difficult time.
Great big warm hug and strength to you for your new journey.
I hear the love in your words. You obviously care or you wouldn’t be reaching out with concern.
It’s time for you to accept help. I think you are ready to have help, don’t you? I agree with others, see if it is possible that you stay together.
Best wishes for you and hubby. Hugs.
Please let go of the guilt and do what's right for both of you. It's hard, I know, but look at it like this: you can go visit him daily if you'd like, and you'll both enjoy the interaction. You can go back to being husband & wife again instead of being the 'caregiver' 24/7 and that will be a relief.
BEST OF LUCK!!
My advice is to have your sons or friends help find a good placement for him, and you nurse yourself, pamper yourself for awhile. It is an awful time to go through. Be gentle with yourself, and accept support. Prayers and big (((HUGS!)))
I tried to tell her that if he wouldn’t have had the heart surgery he would have died. She questioned herself. Made me sad to see her hurting and blaming herself.
I think when someone dies people are in shock and their mind wonders all over the place with the ‘what if’s’ and the truth is the death could not have been prevented. It was simply ‘their time.’
Listen to your sons advice and that of the people here. The care of your husband has become too difficult for you. Would even your husband want you to risk your health for him?
You have no reason to feel guilty. You have provided his care for as long as you have been able. Sometimes it takes more courage and compassion to let go and realize it is time for professional care.
This must be terribly difficult for you. Time for you to take care of you and accept and value the support offered by your sons. They must be wonderful men.
They sold their home and moved closer to me so I could help out. At first my dad still drove, but after an accident, he ga e it up. We found a place that offered a range of services. Mom gets a high level and dad still mostly takes care of himself. They are together and we now have mom on hospice tho she shows no signs of passing anytime soon. This gives them the added benefit of some free support including a weekly nurse who can come 24/7 should she fall or get a uti.
Please think seriously about this option so you can get some much needed support .
I am so very thankful that you found this website. Please come back often. I have found comfort many times plus great practical advice. Please listen to your sons. You are in a difficult time, but you must take care of yourself. I visit my mother almost everyday in Assisted Living. I have met several couples where one spouse lives in Assisted Living, and the other spouse lives at home.
You will be able to visit your husband as much as you want. You can dine with him as well as enjoying the activities you can still do together.
Do not feel guilty. Be thankful you are capable of making sure the rest of your husband’s days are ones you can share with him in a safe environment. Tell him you love him everyday. It may not seem to register, but he hears every word.
it is time for you both to rest.
Talk to the director of nursing at the rehab about his lack of eating. It can be from numerous things. Their dietician should be involved in his meals and keeping him in line with his glucose levels.
💞
AL will mean you're in a very similar situation as being at home like before as you'll be in an apartment together, and you'll, again, be his primary caregiver but for on call assistance if he falls, needs showers, etc. Plus, someone else needs to be moving him around in his wheelchair in all aspects of his life. You risk hurting yourself physically and mentally, and then he and you could be worse.
Maybe a home that has long term and memory care for him and an assisted living apartment or studio in the same professional home/facility would work. Then you could see him often, be comforted knowing he's cared for, and if/when you need help, it'd be there for you, too.
Although it's hard to say, I don't know that it's a good idea to visit him every day in long term care, especially at your age and all you've gone through. You've got to be worn out. Maybe tell/ask your sons to visit him every day you're not there. Even if you find a combination long term/memory care and AL apt for yourself, visits from your sons for both of you will be good. They can bring in those things that you and he need/want (like household items, small no cook groc. items, etc.) that will help you both really retire and rest. Get them to take over paying the bills, too. The fewer things you've got to manage now, the better. You've been doing it all for a long time, plus being a 24/7 caregiver. You deserve it, and you must take care of yourself, too. There's no shame in taking care of yourself, and doing what's best for him at this time in his life and yours. He surely wants what's best for you, too.
Take care, and good luck in whatever decisions you make.
You will become burnt out and take I'll Yourself.