I’m at my wit’s end caring for my elderly father

DEAR DEIDRE: I’M at my wit's end caring for my elderly father.

Every day it’s one thing after another and at this point, I’m not sure how much I can take. 

Even with carers, I spend every second of the day worried about him and I can’t help but wonder if he’d be better off in a home.

He’s 82 and I’m his 50-year-old son. I’m all he has left after my mum passed away six years ago.

Since her death his health has been rapidly failing and he now suffers from a myriad of problems including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and mobility issues.

I’ve been doing all that I can to care for him, but since his last stint in hospital, things have become unmanageable.

He’s fallen over more times than I can count and I’m constantly having to leave work to go and check on him. It’s causing me a severe amount of stress because I know he can’t look after himself. 

As hard as it is, I know he needs to be in a care home but I feel so guilty.

DEIDRE SAYS: While putting a loved one in a care home is never an easy decision, and can sometimes feel like you are abandoning them, in reality, you are giving them the chance for better care and support that you aren’t capable of.

Know that you’re making the right choice for both of your well-being.