I care for my husband. He has Dementia and is also Legally Blind. It is so hard for him to get out and about and over the years we have lost friends due to death, some moved away and I feel some are just not knowing how to deal with the situation here. My home is currently a mess and I can't seem to concentrate on getting it all back together again. I still work, from home, full time and that only causes more difficulties with taking care of my husband and our home. We used to have people over, but no one comes much any more....other than clients to the office. I never thought at age 65 that I would pretty much be a shut in. I can't even get out to do my own shopping. I pay someone to shop for me. I just feel like my friends have all found others to do things with and forget about us. I sometimes just need someone to talk to. Does anyone else feel this way?
You mention that you "can't seem to concentrate" on getting your house sorted out the way you would normally like it to be: that's the bit that sounds to me like you need to watch out for depression - of the clinical variety I mean, as opposed to the normal reaction to a really hard situation. Keep an eye on yourself, won't you? If it gets worse, and especially if it gets to the point where you're finding it difficult even to get out of bed and do the things you really want to get done, shout for help, don't try to tough it out.
I appreciate that the virtual friends and companions on AC, while to me they've been a life saver, can only take you so far if you happen to be the gregarious type and you're stuck indoors. But, you know, there will be fellow-travellers in your area - you don't see them because they too are trapped in their houses, wishing there was someone they could share a cup of coffee or a pleasant lunch with. Ask around, ring round, track them down. You can do each other good.
You simply must change what you're doing. Spend some of your money on care givers that will allow you to get out and about. To church...to the local senior center for a once-a-week card game...an outing with seniors thru your park district. Anything except doing what you're doing now. Start slowly. Get a caregiver 4 hours a week and use that time for yourself.
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