Caregivers Support Group

Hi all! I am sooo happy to have found this group! I am a live-in, full-time caregiver for my 88 year-old grandmother. She has dementia and has recently started to have more physical problems, like incontinence. I have been living with her since 2008. For a while I could still work at my job, but about two years ago I left my job, as it was harder for her to be home alone. She is a sweet, lovely person but sometimes it can get overwhelming because she doesn't always know where she is, or who is in the house. she asks about family members who live far away, thinking they live with us. Most weeks I have one afternoon off when a sitter stays with her. Otherwise i only get away for maybe an hour or two to do errands. Longer than that and she gets confused and upset. I have been looking into overnight respite care, because I feel I need a break, but I also feel super guilty!! Any advice? Anyone had experiences with overnight respite care? Thanks so much and lots of love to all of you caregivers!!
Posted on 03/14/12, 11:38 pm