How do I help my Mum who’s struggling to care for my Dad?
DEAR DEIDRE: When I spoke to my mother on the phone, she talked about “ending it all”.
She isn’t coping with my father. Dad is 83 and has dementia.
You can also send a private message on the Facebook page.
DEIDRE SAYS: She needs some emotional support – so if you can visit regularly to give her practical help, she will feel the benefits.
She can also talk to The Silver Line (thesilverline.org.uk, 0800 470 80 90) who chat to people aged over 55 at any time, day or night.
Your father can get some respite care, so you can broach the subject and explain to him that your mother is not coping.
You can get great support through Dementia UK (dementiauk.org, 0800 888 6678) which is a charity offering specialist one-to-one expert advice through its free helpline and Admiral Nurses.