I would really welcome other gransneters thoughts on this . My DH and I both have elderly parents in their 90s who are living in their own homes. DH's parents are frail but are self caring so it is just a case of supporting with shopping. My parents also have health issues. My DF has a heart problem and DM heart and respiratory problems, dementia and incontinence problems. DM needs daily help with personal care. (washing or bathing and dressing)which was being provided by an Agency until last week. This has now fallen to me. I am happy to do this and it does seems the most sensible option for now as their regular carer is no longer available it means several different carers having to cover, inevitability increasing the risk to my DP's of contracting the virus.
The issue is that my DH feels that if we are in for the long haul he wants to be able maintain as many social activities as he can - 2 x weekly golf, still seeing friends etc, whilst keeping to the advice about keeping two metres apart, handwashing and using sanitizer etc.
I feel we should both be limiting our social contact with other people and staying at home as much as possible. I had already stopped going to the gym and have been physically distancing from the grandchildren (which breaks my heart) to try and keep my DP 's safe. My DH recognises the risks to his own parents and stays outside when he visits them whereas my contact with my DM is by necessity hands on although I am limiting this as much as possible. A couple of baths each week, changing the beds etc with DF providing the rest of the personal care.
I raised the situation with my DH last night. He believes I am overreacting pointing out that I popped into a shop to buy food yesterday and that we could always try and reinstate the care.
Added to this I am now working from home. To do this I need access to the internet which my DP's don't have so moving in with them is not really an option at this time. I also like my home.
Am I really overreacting? Is there a different way to manage the situation? I would really welcome advice from other gransneters who are also caring for elderly parents.
