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Hi
I am the sole caregiver for my husband of almost 56 years. I’m 76 and he is 79. His kidneys failed 4 years ago after kidney disease for 12 years. He also has developed dementia and it’s progressing fast. I hardly sleep at all. He yells out at night loudly which is scary and chatters on in his sleep the rest of time. And he will get out of bed and walk around the house so I have to check if he opened doors. He’s so tired of everything and I believe he’s ready to stop dialysis soon. He says when he has a lucid moment that this is not life to him. I get it. And I promised him when his kidneys failed that it’s his decision only. No one else’s when he is done. Am I wrong to support him? It’s really hard but I think I wouldn’t want someone making my choices.
What can I do when he’s in the nasty side of dementia as he cusses me out and everything is my fault. I’m not scared it’s more hurtful with his words.
Thank you for listening 🙂
Replies to "Hi I am the sole caregiver for my husband of almost 56 years. I’m 76 and..."
Hello @jude5 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! It sounds like you’ve worked very hard and now both of you are worn out by the sickness and caretaking. Have you thought about hospice? They offer many things to help suffering patients and families.
Are you asking for advice on what to do next or just finding out what others have done?
Hi @jude5, some people have posted that melatonin helps when their loved ones have agitated sleep. I give my husband 5 mg and it usually quiets him down. Some people here have posted that 10 mg, twice at intervals, 4:00pm and later, works well. Best to check with the doctor if melatonin would be okay for your spouse.
Yesterday we had a visitor my husband was able to tolerate for five hours. He stayed up until I went to bed and slept through the night, no talking or yelling out loud. I guess he was tired and talked out from the visit.
When your husband gets angry with you, can you leave his immediate presence for a while? I find that works. I also find agreeing with my husband de-escalates things. Sometimes I say, I'm a terrible person, and if you like, you can live somewhere else. Then he protests and we're good again.
Sigh, this is work that requires some cunning!
You are doing a fine job.
When people resist wanting to let their loved ones go, after they stop eating or express the desire to stop treatment, I always wonder who is that for, the loved one or the caregiver/relative who can't say goodbye?
Take care.
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Thank you all for the hugs♥️