I'm afraid I'm going to make a show of myself.

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You can rant on here as much as you like Elly we don't mind, this must be very distressing for you.

All our worries are magnified by this covid crisis. A virtual hug for you here.

My mum is also in a nursing home with alzheimer's but fortunately for us although mum dosnt understand.. The home has introduced Skype and this is working very well.. They ring us 5 days a week and we are not sure mum is focusing on us but she recognizes our voices and talks back in her own way and sings and laughs with us. This has been a godsend through theses hard times.

For you Ellylanesl -
I am glad that you are feeling more positive today.
Best wishes from Danni x

I confess I’ve been glad of the space to cry for the Bodach without my family constantly here ( which they were doing if I was a bit weepy).
If they happen to come upon me at a bad time, well and good, but phone and Whats App are fine.

Thankyou, all of you, I think the VE celebration yesterday got to me too.
I will open up to my DCS, I think we, as parents try to protect them, forgetting they are adults themselves.
There are many of us with troubles (I'm a lurker) and yes we all need a virtual shoulder at times.
Take care all of you

I am in a similar situation with DH having been ill in his care home (Now fully recovered). I tried to remain positive and cheerful during Skype Calls and short shouted conversations with my DDs when they delivered my food shopping, especially as the DGC were often present during these contacts. However, when I phoned DD1 late in the evening to tell her her Dad was ill, I lost it, broke down sobbing, etc. She calmed me down and later explained that she and her Sister had been very worried about me showing no emotion other than cheerful during calls. They had been thinking I had been drinking or popping happy pills!!!

Do talk to your children - they will want to support you during these difficult times.

PS: I wish to state that I have not touched a drop of alcohol since lockdown started, following my DM's advice of never drinking alone. Nor have I taken more than my regular 1 per day antidepressant. However, I do self medicate on Caffeine and Nicotine

Oh Ellylanes I am so sorry for what you're going through. These truly are such awful times and there are so many like you who are in desperate situations.

Please open up to your children, let them know how deeply this is affecting you. They are more than likely well aware of how you feel, but are afraid to mention it for fear of bringing on the tears.

Well let the tears come - crying is so cathartic and is a natural, healthy response to distressing situations. The good old British stiff upper lip really does us no favours at times like this.

Sending love and sincere wishes for your dear mother's recovery.

I understand totally being in a very similar situation but I found talking to my adult children really helpful, even though I cried.

My mum ( with AZ) had a fall which needed to be glued on the 22nd March. She was still living alone but it was obvious to us and to the doctors that she could not return home so after five weeks and a lot of discussion with various professionals, mum was discharged to a care home of our choice two weeks ago.

I have not seen mum in all that time, when my sister spoke to her, mum got very upset about why we were not visiting her, which then upset me.,

It's awful that thousands of elderly people are in care homes with no family visits, those with dementia have no understanding of what is going on. I worry about how long it will be before visits are allowed again - months I suspect.

I think it’s healthy too, it’s a human reaction please don’t be afraid to show your feelings it’s how others learn from us.

I'm sorry, that's awful for you Ellylanes1 I agree with momb you need the support of your family.

Of course you can cry , break down on the phone to your dc. They can cry with you, you will all feel bettor it. Your dm is in an awful situation - crying and being upset is the normal human response.

Gransnet is always open for a chat.Chatting to somebody is better than not chatting at all. take care..

I’m so sorry for you Ellylanes1 these are just awful times .

I agree with those who say ‘let it all out’. Your children are able to understand I’m sure and would want you to talk to them. That’s what family is all about x

Ellylanes1 - how truly awful for you, if it makes you feel a tad better rant away. These are such difficult times for everyone but we are all here for you. Take care

I am so sorry for you and hope you can talk to your children.

I dont think you should worry if you end up in tears talking to your children. I am sure they will understand and they will then hopefully offer you a bit more support. We are always here to listen too

I’m so sorry ellylanes1, you’re right, covid makes an inevitably distressing situation so much worse. There’s always someone here to listen, please,don’t go through this alone.

Your situation, and the circumstances leading to it, is almost exactly the same as my DIL's mum and granny Ellylanes1 and it sucks doesn't it? Visits to see her granny, just to wave through the window of the nursing home, were stopped some time ago because that seemed to cause even more upset and confusion. I can really empathise with your situation; it's horribly upsetting for everyone. Do you have a close and understanding friend that you can phone and have a howl to? And you always have here; so many of us in similar circumstances and you can vent your frustration, despair and anger without worry of upsetting us.

You can cry, grieve, break down, rant, be angry, despair – you can respond in any way that you do respond to what has happened to you poor mother. Your feelings are real and the sad circumstances are real. No one else has a right to tell you how you may feel in such a hard time – or, indeed, any time.

These are very difficult times emotionally .. you're not alone-

How distressing Ellylanes1, my heart goes out to you. These are such difficult times as so many struggle in so many ways while, like you, keeping it to themselves since no one can do anything to help. We are listening, rant away!

So sorry you are having to deal with this. Take care. ?