Trying to balance my own health and caring for my dad

Hello @elilith

Caring for someone with Sz can be demanding.

As soon as practical getting your dad to give permission for health professionals to be able to liaise with you is important, hopefully he will do this as even for people without MI this can be a challenge (does he have an advance care directive?)

As you would no doubt be aware, having someone on your side who will speak up for you is important. I don't know how it is with Sz, but things were a lot better for Mr Darcy & I when we worked as a team. For most people with Sz both medication and social supports are necessary and outsourcing as much of this as possible through NDIS / My Aged Care will help give you a break if you can get your Dad to apply. There are a number of MH support groups that help both patients and carers, some have specific experience and expertise with Sz clients.

Looking after your own health is important, there are a lot of self care resources on this forum. There are a number of people on this forum who have a diagnosis who are also caregivers.

@elilith

Are there particular areas that you struggle with? We have different discussion threads where we gently encourage one another to declutter, eat healthy etc. I am happy to tag you 😁.

Thanks @Former-Member for tagging the forums I may find useful! Really appreciate you taking the time to respond aswell.

I'm really not sure what im struggling with the most. knowing where/how to start. I dont want to step on anyones toes - so to speak - but I want him to have the best care and options available for him. He's had a few addmitals to hospital over the last 6 months or so too.
He did recently get put on a new med (that he had been asking to try for a long time) so thats a step in a positive direction and I know he's feeling 'heard' by his dr which is my biggest thing for him.
Im not sure if he has any apps or contact with the NDIS, i dont think he does but I could be wrong. Trying to take care from others is a tricky situation to be in haha. I know my nan is happy to hand the reigns over but its still a delicate situation.

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you life has .. well im sure you know how it goes.
Happy to update that my dad did have a change in medication which i helped him advocate for and has responded really well to it! he has also quit smoking which he is super proud of and so we are taking everything in baby steps to introduce other healthy habits slowly and see how we go
Fingers crossed but its an incredibly unpredictable illness (and always has been with him) so easy does it