Archive: Around Town

Hi Margaret:  My mother had a stroke six months ago and I moved her into my home so I can care for her. At first I was deluged with wonderful friends rallying around me with support and offers of assistance, for which I was grateful. It’s been three months now, and I find that all of my support has dwindled, and I feel alone and secluded. I’m not sure if this is because my friends found my burden too heavy or they have simply gone on with their lives and forgotten about me. I am afraid to contact them for fear of putting them in the uncomfortable position of turning down my suggestion of meeting for an outing of coffee or dinner. What should I do?
Feeling Forgotten
 
Dear Feeling Forgotten: As you know by now, full-time caregiving can become not only isolating, but physically and emotionally exhausting as well as stressful.  Depression is common among those that find themselves giving 24-hour care to a family member that has become incapacitated. It sounds like your time away from home is vital for your wellbeing.  Scout out resources in your area if you would benefit from meeting with other caregivers.  A local office for the aging can point you in the right direction. However, not everyone finds comfort in talking with others about their situation. If you’re one of those people, don’t assume your friends have abandoned you out of their discomfort. People simply get busy with their lives. I would suggest reaching out to one or two of your closer friends to see if they’d like to go out for a quick outing. The care you are giving your mother depends on your regular rejuvenation in whatever form best meets your needs.

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