How can I get additional caregiving help for someone who doesn't like stranges in her home?
Hi, I'm the sole caregiver for an 81 year old friend who has Alzheimer's, rheumatoid arthritis, cellulitis, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, incontinence, macular degeneration, and vascular disease. She rarely moves out of the chair in her room, sleeps most of the day, and wants to talk at midnight and later, although she has sundowner's and doesn't know where she is or why she's here. She sees people who aren't there, picks at her arms and thighs constantly, spills everything, doesn't take her medications unless I stand over her, and wonders why her dead son doesn't love her any more. She's had two and a half toes amputated and is in constant pain from her RA, but is almost always cheerful and says she doesn't know what she'd do without me. My friends all say I should get help, but she's a very private person who wouldn't like strangers in the house and I'm not sure what they could do anyway. Any suggestions?
Expert Answer
It sounds to me as if your friend is more work than you can handle. She needs a great deal of nursing care related to her multiple medical conditions that seem beyond what you could possibly do alone. Take your pals' advice and get some additional help. Don't hesitate or worry about her acceptance of 'strangers in her home'; without them you may burnout soon and she will be left without you. Use your energy and caring to be her friend and getting the best care possible, whether she objects or not, will be the best care possible! She may be temporarily upset but she will quickly forget about it and be the cheerful lady she loves.