feeling isolated

A few months ago, Hospice told us that we couldn't leave my grandparents alone at all. I guess it was because the nurse came a few times when I wasn't there. Once a week, I would go to my best friends house for a few hours, or I would run errands, grocery shop, whatever needed to be done. They were just worried about my grandfather being there alone to take care of my grandmother. After that, we sent them to the Hospice house for 5 days respite care. It was amazing because it had been so long since i had a full day to do anything I wanted. My dad is adding a room to his house for my grandparents to just get everyone under one roof. He got a loan from the bank and is just waiting for the lawyer to approve it. He said that as soon as it goes through, they would hire someone to come in a couple days a week to give me some days off. But, he said i could take months for the money to finally come through. Then he said that he might just have her come one day a week. I have been so burned out lately, I just don't even care anymore. I can't get to sleep at night, and when I fall asleep, I don't want to wake up. I wake up to turn mama and when the bathing lady comes and then go back to sleep. I sleep until 2 in the afternoon sometimes. I know that I have things to do, but I just cant seem to find the motivation. I can't see my best friend or anyone else until he hires someone else. I used to call all of my friends and family when I was feeling down or just needed an ear, but it just seemed like they were tired of hearing the same old story. I cant talk to my dad because when I do, a lecture usually follows, or him telling me how he had it much worse before I came on the scene. If I tell him that I am overwhelmed then his response is "well, if you can't handle taking care of them, then I can find someone who can." One I can remember specifically was " If you don't think you can take care of them, then you should just get your ass back to Charleston" So, yeah. He has no clue what I am going through or how I am feeling. I just feel so alone all the time. When I try to talk to other people about it, they just don't really know what to say and I don't want to be that person who complains all the time so I just keep it inside. So, I will continue to try to be strong until I can have a social life again. It's just so hard to go day in day out and not talk to anyone, sure I talk to my grandfather, but he is super religious and I am not. He is 95, so we don't really have much to talk about. We probably talk about my cat more than anything. haha I am usually okay during the day, but the evening/night is just depressing. Anyways, if anyone reads this, please share your experiences on how you got through being alone as a caregiver.

Replies

searching4sunshine
searching4sunshine

I was never alone as a caregiver, but I understand your loneliness. I feel trapped in a different situation, but trapped none-the-less. My main interactions are at work where I can\'t talk about how I feel, or I wouldn\'t have a job anymore, and with kids. Now I\'m happy and grateful I have both those things, but I miss having a social life and someone I can really talk to as well. Hang in there.
searching4sunshine
searching4sunshine

Also, have you tried reading? Some of my loneliest times were helped by immersing myself in a good book. And Netflix... I\'ve watched entire tv seasons in a weekend. Just a thought.
38lbs
38lbs

if i were you i would get a normal job working in a law firm or something. do you type fast? law firms pay well, that is why i am suggesting it, and its the exact OPPOSITE of what you do during the day. its also a good job to have while you are in college.

i would use the money from the job to both GET AWAY from the situation you are in AND to hire a home health person during the hours you are away. you will make more money working in a law firm than a home health person makes, so you will still be ahead. plus it will get you OUT of the house and around ordinary people. you are basically doing the job of three people. round the clock care SHOULD BE covered by your grandparents health insurance, so check on that. then hire at least two other people to handle the other shifts. night shift as well, if necessary.
how about joining clubs either fellowship through church or bowling league or latin american club (that is always big in colleges - lots of dances etc).

hope you find a way. xxoo