Follow
Share
Find Care & Housing
This won't work for everyone, but maybe your spouse would go for what I did:

My mom (almost 90) has mild dementia, is stubborn and insists on staying at home until she dies. Shortly after she was declared incapacitated by physicians, I suffered burnout and so I hired home help for when I'm not there, without asking her. I told her that while I had made this big decision against her will, ALL SHE HAD TO DO was answer the door and let them in each day and after that, she was in TOTAL charge.

She agreed to that. She probably took pleasure in imagining how she'd yell at them and tell them she didn't need them, that they shouldn't touch her or anything in the house, that her daughter is an awful person, etc, etc. But the agreement appealed to her on some level. I held my breath the first week, let her complain about the plan. But when they started coming over, her ingrained politeness kicked in and she ended up opening the door each day and being (mostly, I assume) nice to them. And now they are nice and helpful to her.

I hope something works for you. It's so hard. Good luck.
Helpful Answer (10)
Reply to FeelsThinks
Report
KDinMD60 Nov 15, 2024
I’m so glad you posted this. It’s good to read a story that has an uplifting ending. Stay strong! Your sister in the caregiver trenches.
(1)
Report
You just tell him that this person is coming in to help YOU with some things around the house, so you can get some errands done outside the house.
He will then be more comfortable thinking that you're the one needing help and not him, even though you know otherwise.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

Most of us are not comfortable with someone coming into our home whom we perceive to be a stronger.

One way is to introduce someone as your friend and have them spend time with the two of you. Have them do chores with you, cook a meal, visit, watch a program on tv. Then your spouse, depending on his level of disease, will be more comfortable with your helper and you will also have had an opportunity to watch them interact and the helper will have been able to observe the interaction between you and your spouse. A camera is helpful to allow you to determine how he is doing and what you might do to further facilitate their ease in dealing with one another. Perhaps they will work on a puzzle or fold dish towels or walk the dog, rake leaves or shovel snow, not necessarily to complete a job but to have some pleasant exercise.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to 97yroldmom
Report

You have listed this under Alzheimer's.
Therefore we need more information.
You say your spouse doesn't need PHYSICAL caretaking.
But with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's I am assuming he needs MENTAL care and oversite?
Is that correct?

If so, there is of course no option to whether or not to have oversite. He must have it.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

I agree with the others that the strategy would be to slowly acclimate your husband to this person. Yes, tell him s/he's your friend or that they are there for you, to help you do tasks around the house, clean, food prep, cook, play cards, whatever. Then at some point you can start discretely slipping out of the house while he's distracted or sleeping.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Another option might be to introduce your friend as someone who really needs some peace and quiet to use a desk (that’s if you have one). She could then spend time at your place, without it involving your spouse. Decide if it’s company you want, or just someone there in case of emergency.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to MargaretMcKen
Report

Mtkat15: If perchance your husband requires mental caretaking due to the fact that you included "Alzheimer's & Dementia," maybe it's more than one individual (you) can handle.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter