← Return to Introductions: Are you caring for someone with dementia?

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@billchitwood

We are moving in with our daughter this month - house ready to close. Stress is something else again. Moving by itself is stressful but when you are coping with someone with dementia (and they think they are 'fine') sure can add to need a dark chocolate fix.

One this I did, besides safety railing for the toilets, was added a riser to the toilet, which makes it easier for him to get up and down (my feet no longer touch the ground!). I also got him a lift chair and even with that he has problems getting out of it.

Each day seems to bring something new. And then there are days when everything seems completely normal.

I tried to shield his kids at first but decided that wasn't a good idea. We now can joke about it and they are quick to offer help. A support group is the greatest thing, especially if you can laugh together. For me, that makes getting through the days easier. I also have a best friend who lets me 'vent' - things I wouldn't want to burden the kids with.

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Replies to "We are moving in with our daughter this month - house ready to close. Stress is..."

@tunared and @billchitwood This is what I love about this Caregiving community on Connect! The power of "group think" -- or is it "group answer"? I had totally forgotten about the riser for the toilet! Invaluable and I now recall that we went through about four iterations before we found the right one! Luckily I found a nonprofit that accepted used durable medical equipment and provided it free of charge to those who needed stuff. Unfortunately, they didn't make it through the pandemic, but I was so happy to be able to see so much of our equipment reused.

While we didn't have a lift chair, I did find a fully adjustable hospital bed to be invaluable, especially for fighting bed sores and transfers, etc. I still ended up with carpal tunnel in both wrists from all the repetitive lifting, but can't imagine what shape I'd be in without that bed.

Strength, Courage, & Peace