Are you the sole Carer to an elderly Parent ??

Well, I'm in the same boat - and, yes, it can be incredibly tough. There is an argument that we are at an advantage in some ways in that we don't have to juggle competing demands. That does hold water to a degree, but doing things single-handed can be very tough and very lonely.

A few thoughts:

Don't let your confidence be knocked - you are doing something which can require incredible grit and determination - if you can do this you can do anything!

Death - it happens, we can never know how we will react when it does. My own experience is that the pain can be terrible, but the human system is designed to cope with grieving, and there comes a time when the pain eases.

Picking up again once it's all over - one advantage is that you will have only yourself to look out for, and can go and do exactly where and what you want (usual money constraints permitting!). That's a big big plus.

I think finding a job post-caring may be difficult (the usual obsession with recent, relevant experience) - but if you think unconventionally - perhaps doing your own thing in an area you are really good at - it is a problem which can be cracked.

Direct Payments are a great idea, if they work for your mother - do take up Sylvia's offer of advice.

Animals - have you any pets? I simply couldn't do what I do without a creature in the house.

Keeping up with friends is very hard - I find one has to be very careful to keep up phone and e-mail contact, but not to whinge too much. It's not whingeing, but however good a friend is, they only have a certain capacity to listen to other peoples problems. The best whingeing-board is TP - and it's a very good one indeed!

Don't worry - we've gotten this far, we'll stick it to the end! Bon courage (as the frogs have it.)