Welcome @crystal-fleming-6853 and thank you for being here 🤍 It truly means a lot to have you as the third member of Cares That Stay. This space exists for people who do the quiet, constant work of caring, and your presence already matters. I hope you find understanding, support, and a sense of not being alone here. Please feel free to share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with. *Because I’m currently working in a very hands-on caring role, I haven’t been able to spend as much time in this space as I’d like yet. Your presence genuinely helps 🌸 it reminds me why I created Cares That Stay and gives this space life while it’s still growing. I’m really glad you’re here. Warm regards Patricia

Welcome @Kerrie Smith and thank you for being here 🤍 It truly means a lot to have you as the second member of Cares That Stay. This space exists for people who do the quiet, constant work of caring, and your presence already matters. I hope you find understanding, support, and a sense of not being alone here. Please feel free to share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with. *Because I’m currently working in a very hands-on caring role, I haven’t been able to spend as much time in this space as I’d like yet. Your presence genuinely helps 🌸 it reminds me why I created Cares That Stay and gives this space life while it’s still growing. I’m really glad you’re here. Warm regards Patricia

If you’re a live-in carer and you’ve been woken hourly supporting someone with dementia, this isn’t “just a bad night.” It’s overnight vigilance, emotional regulation, and responsibility without true rest. So if today feels heavy, foggy, or slower than usual 🤍 that’s a normal nervous system response, not a failure. A few things that help me get through these days: ✋🏼 Redefine success. Today’s win is getting through safely, not doing everything. ✋🏼 Hydrate before caffeine. Even mild dehydration worsens fatigue and irritability. ✋🏼 Caffeine = small & spaced. Avoid the boom-and-bust cycle. ✋🏼 Simple food only. Easy carbs + protein. No decision fatigue. ✋🏼 Micro-rests count. 3–10 minutes sitting quietly, eyes closed, feet up 🤍 it helps your system reset. ✋🏼 Move slowly on purpose. Rushing burns energy you don’t have. ✋🏼 Drop the guilt. Low patience, flat mood, or brain fog are physiological effects of broken sleep. If tonight allows, aim for earlier rest, not “catch-up productivity.” Caring through the night is invisible work 🤍 but it’s real, demanding, and meaningful. Be as compassionate with yourself as you are with the person you care for. 🤍 I’d love to know: What helps you on the day after a broken night of care? (One small thing is enough 🤍 we learn from each other.)

Hello everybody, new here. Like newborn new. Any live in carers out there that can actually tell to me about how difficult it is to care for someone when your own need care? I’m Portuguese, I moved to England a few years ago. I made England my home. I met my partner here and we built a little life together. We own a flat in the south and I do three to four weeks placements and then have a few weeks off to myself and him. It works fine. But we’re not getting any younger are we? Am I the only one who feels like I’m missing my own life with a feeling of “guilt”? And it’s not just about my partner. My mom’s has been diagnosed with cancer December last. She’s not coping well with chemo and is going through a hard time. Again the same feeling. “Guilt”. I’m not even sure if that’s the right feeling. It’s something in between feeling guilty and feeling I’m being selfish. Shouldn’t I be there with her? But then, this was the life I chose. Caring is what I do. What I’m good at. What I like doing. But sometimes it’s so hard. If you read this message until here, thank you! I’m a bit tired of talking to the walls. Hence the creation of my space. 🙏🏼

🌸 Welcome, Roxana 🌸 I’m really glad you’re here. This space was created especially for live-in carers, people who give so much of themselves, often quietly and without enough support. This is a place to: • feel understood • share real experiences • learn and grow together • and know you’re not alone You’re very welcome to introduce yourself! No pressure at all. This is a gentle space. 🤍 You’re here from the very beginning — thank you.