MIL is trying to do everything herself to care for FIL. No respite. He is middle stages. She's already had an episode where she was on the floor unresponsive from stress and anxiety. We keep offering simple ways we can help (meals, cleaning, walking with pop, sitting with pop while she shops, shopping for her, driving when dr appt are far away, etc.) She almost always says no or she'll let us know. She has turned scatterbrained, extremely indecisive, and gets upset about things that… read more
How do you know that her collapsing on the floor was due to stress and anxiety! Who diagnosed that? I'm sure most of the people on this website are laboring under stress and anxiety. And they are not normally collapsing in the floor. She needs to be seen by a doctor. Seems that she who is unable is running the show.Dad is going downhill fast and will only get worse. Some one of you in the family needs to take charge no matter what mom says.There is nothing left to offer until someone gets control of mom.Good luck, we are with you in thought and hope. Be brave!
@A myALZteam Member I don't really THINK MIL has dementia. She seems mentally stressed from dealing with FIL and alzheimer's...
Congrats, that is progress!
@A myALZteam Member I guess I am not clear on the facts I am in denial about...we (and others) have spoken to my MIL about her health and getting checkups, etc. Several times. Since she is just showing signs of stress as her main "symptom", we aren't able to "force" her to do ANYTHING....😖 a close mutual friend who is a very experienced nurse currently working in a nursing home with many dementia patients doesn't see my MIL's symptoms as being a sign of dementia but as stress from dealing with my FIL pretty much by herself. She did let my girls stay with him for a while a day last week so she could get a manicure and go shopping. Progress.
Looks like the stress has gotten to her. She may think that if she accepts help, she will have to admit that she can't handle it. If she has always been independent, than it would be difficult for her to ask for or accept help. I
would love the help with my husband, however my kids work full time and can't do much. The burden is all on me.