Fibro Challenges Online Support Group

I have noticed in a few threads that people are either family caregivers or professional caregivers. I was a nurses aide for 10 years. I worked in nursing homes, rehabs, hospitals, assisted living and home care.

I loved my job but it does a emotional and physical number on you. Thought it would be interesting to see.

Hugs,

Jenn

raises hand....but not as a professional. It is extremely emotional and physical!

I'm a full time caregiver...but not as a professional, for my husband who has Alzheimer's and a list of other things.

Sorry to hear that lovingyoungwife. My dad had early onset Alz. and passed last June 28th. It runs in my family. If you ever need to talk you can PM me anytime.

Hugs,

Jenn

I'm sorry to hear that lovingyoungwife. I have a mother with alz too. She is so hard to deal with from time to time. She is in assisted living and its really hard to go see her there. I'm not able to take care of her here at home. I have 2 teenagers and a full time job. She wanted to go to the assisted living. She knew we couldn't take care of her any more..

Thanks. It's been a little over 6 years since he was dignosed. Just in the last few months he has begun to get worse. It is really getting harder to cope. As you well know stress can really make the pain of Fibro worse. My love for him is all that keeps me going sometimes, just sheer willpower. But I can't give up, he needs me. I tried putting him in a Alzheimer's unit here a while back and it just didn't work out. I think he would not be here today if I had left him there.

You need to take care of yourself too. Its hard to watch them decline. I'm sure you know that. I don't know how you do it. I don't know how I would do it if mama had to come here. She is in a wheel chair most of the time. She walks some but most of the time she is in her chair. I pray you get a good nights rest. Hugs Cindy

I'm sorry too. Have you thought about getting some help? YOu have to take care of you to be able to take care of him the way you want to.

Hugs,

~dixie

I am working at an Assisted Living as a CNA/CMA anywhere between 36 and 40 hrs a week. In between days off I usually end up in the ER for morphine shots and spend the next day in bed. I love my job. I have been working for the nursing home for 4 years now and I really care alot for the ones I take care of. I have cried so many times because I get really attached. I am in pain 24/7 but I have so many bills to pay and am a single mom of 2 boys. I dont have any other option.

I cared for my husband who had degenerative heart disease and a list of other diseases that all lead to an increase in dementia. It was really hard to watch him slowly go down hill. Fortunately he passed before he became too mentally impaired. I miss him terribly and can empathize with anyone who is in the same situation.