"Currently exhausted but hopeful"

Older person's community mental health

I have been caring for my husband for quite some time now. He has dementia. I feel exhausted most of the time, but the worst feeling is feeling invisible as a carer, erased as a person. 

We recently had a visit from one of the OPLMH staff. She arrived early and caught me out racing back from work but I didn't mind. Someone else was kind enough to ring me to let me know! She asked questions and listened to the answers - she probed to find out more. She addressed my needs as a person and offered a raft of practical ideas and suggestions. She Acknowledged me. I slept well last might for the first time in ages. 

When I woke up I felt more like a very busy me, able to juggle and take control, able to care but not defined as a carer conveniently filling in social care gaps, invisible and taken for granted. At times even a nuisance asking awkward questions - why is it that an emergency care plan is not ready and available for months after initial contact...(Princess Royal Trust for Carers). 

Tomorrow, the tale continues. A good night's sleep tonight would be a blessing.

Signed anonymous, but present - normally positive and trusting and relentlessly interested and enthusiastic. Currently exhausted but hopeful.