What happens when the caregiver has health issues?

@joedeb Not sure if I understand you. Are you saying that the caregiver’s health is very important in the end of life situations. Yes, the caregivers health if of premier importance. So their health must be carefully monitored.
Let’s wait and hear what other caregivers on this site have to say.
Are you a caregiver for someone?

Yes, my wife. She has lewy body dementia. I was thrown quickly into being a full time caregiver this fall. I witnessed my brother in law and sister in law, who has advanced parkinsons, move into assisted living two weeks ago after a year of denial on their part and declining health of him. They did just fine until his health starting turning rather fast and then it became a crisis. I became their 1st responder living 30 minutes away. It didn't turn out well.

hi joedeb, lilyann here, i am like becky, this sounds terrible and its so true how some health problem can turn on a dime, never thinking of the worst, always thinking the better and then hit with " wow, how fast something happens". so sorry about your wife, that's a hard pill to swallow to begin with and then in laws. you sound like a very special person and i am sure all of mayo followers would agree with me. you are the calvery. praying for all of you. stay strong .

Thanks. I get support too knowing others are doing this.

I guess I didn't express myself the way I wanted, Lilyann. I ahve witnessed the decline in the health of the caregiver and it can suddenly force big changes. As you say, caregiver health becomes more important to day to day activities. In my extended families situation, the caregivers health actually got worse than his spouse. If some advanced planning is not done ahead of time, things are tough for the family members. Example, my inlaws, didn't even have a list of the meds my sister*in-law was taking (advanced parkinsons). With the caregiver in the hospital and me trying to figure out what if anything to give my sister-in-law.
LBD is certainly humbling. You are constantly reminded you're not in charge. This morning, my lovely wife, started eating her breakfast with her fingers. At what point to you decide had she known, she would not want me to take her in public or to family gatherings to witness that?

Proteins in the brain eating away at the memory sensors that you have accumulated since you were born. Reducing you at times to a 2 yr old boy( I had one little girl and I think she was an angle at birth). Playing with your food, messing things up in cupboards, learning how to use the bathroom. Things you've done for 72 years now temporarily leaving your memory. I'm not a doctor but I wonder if the memory cords just finally break and you are left as a 2 yr old

@joedeb, how are you doing? Did you get results from the skin testing?

One biopsy was non cancer. The second one was. They also didn't go deep enough and I go in Monday for them to take out some more tissue on the second one....

I think it's important. In the last 5 years since my mother was diagnosed with dementia (I have cared for her since 2004), I have had a skin carcinoma and prostate cancer. I went through those issues alone, continuing to care for her. I even had to take her with me to the overnight stay for surgery. The surgery didn't get it all so I've gone through a radiation treatment as well. Waiting to see if that will take care of it. I'm concerned how much time I'll be able to take care of her. And when I can't anymore (if she's still with us) there will be no one to help her (the rest of my family has abandoned us). I see my doctor regularly as I always have, and see counseling. Her well-being in these final years depends on my well-being. Im not going to tell you I'm great at taking care of myself. I haven't had a day off, much less a vacation, in 12 years. I've gained 15lbs since her dementia diagnosis, but I do my best to see that I'm there for her as long as she's still here.

Hi, Samuel. Didn't read the entire thread (so this likely has already been stated) , but just wanted to respond briefly to your last post.

Since many of our loved ones are pretty much dependent solely on us for their care, it's paramount that we take care of ourselves... totally: meaning keeping med appointments; taking our meds; exercising; eating well; dieting if we need to; staying socially involved with others... friends, family, and others that are positive influences; practicing our beliefs; staying informed; getting ourselves to laugh more; having fun; spending some time outside; challenging our brains; listening to / or playing music; reading; hobbying; being creative; planning our futures; imagining; enjoying pleasures; helping others too (like we're all trying to do here), etc............

AND reminding ourselves that we do the above so we can continue being the best we can for someone we consider special... who in many instances would have done the same for us... if our fates had been reversed.

/LarryG