DEAR DEIDRE: Taking care of my wife full time makes me feel terrible lonely and isolated.
I love her but miss the social interaction I used to have at work.
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I am 58 and my wife is 57. She has multiple sclerosis and is now bedridden.
This means that I not only have to take care of her physical needs, but also do all the housework, cooking and shopping.
Doing all these chores leaves me running out of time.
Most of our friends have drifted away since my wife became severely disabled.
Get in touch with Deidre
Every problem gets a personal answer, usually within 24 hours on working days.
I would love to make new friends, who I can talk to at night when my wife is sleeping.
Are there online groups I can join? I don’t want a dating site.
DEIDRE SAYS: You’re committed to your wife, but it’s also important to have outlets where you can talk to people who understand you.
The caregivers (caregivers.org0300 772 9600) helps informal carers to lead a life of their own outside of care.
They have a forum where you can chat with other caregivers online.
Crossroads – Care for informal carers (crossroadstogether.org.uk) has a caregiver helpline on 0845 450 0350.
My Caring support package contains more information.