Being my wife’s full-time carer is lonely and overwhelming

DEAR DEIDRE: CARING for my wife full time has left me feeling terribly lonely and isolated.

I love her but miss the social interaction I used to have at work.

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I’d dearly love to make some new friends

I’m 58 and my wife is 57. She has multiple sclerosis and is now bedridden.

This means as well as looking after her physical needs, I have to do all the housework, cooking and shopping.

Doing all of these chores leaves very little time for me.

Most of our friends have drifted away since my wife became seriously disabled.

Get in touch with Deidre

Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays.

I’d dearly love to make some new friends, who I can talk to in the evenings when my wife is sleeping.

Are there any online groups I can join? I don’t want a dating site.

DEIDRE SAYS: You are devoted to your wife but it’s also important to have outlets where you can talk to people who understand.

The Carers Trust (carers.org, 0300 772 9600) helps carers to make a life of their own outside caring.

They have a forum where you can chat to other carers online.Crossroads – Caring for Carers (crossroadstogether.org.uk) has a carers’ helpline on 0845 450 0350.

My support pack on Caring contains more information.