Caring for Dad
by Ann
He has just begun to have problems with incontinence of both bowel and urine. He gets to the bathroom, but doesn't "make it" on time. He's having increasing problems ambulating and has had numerous falls. He's mentation has slowed, and he's nearly deaf. I am alone caring for him. He's eating very little and is generally declining. I never get out of the house with the exception of my own doctor appointments. We have food delivered. The stress has reached unbearable levels, and I am obsessed with worrying about him falling and injuring himself. He's on a blood thinner, so I know that if he does fall, the potential for serious injury is very high. My own back pain adds to the intense stress of trying to care for Dad. We don't have enough money to hire an outside caretaker, nor can we afford assisted living/nursing home care. I have two brothers, one of whom lives too far away to help at all, and the other, who is retired and lives within 30 minutes of me, just doesn't help. I feel incredibly alone and worry constantly about Dad. Where do I go? Who do I have to vent to or to express my fears/concerns? It's terrible.
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