I’m 30 yrs old. The youngest of 4 but the primary caregiver. My mom is 71 yrs old and diagnosed with Alzheimer’s , suggesting it’s vascular dementia due to her diabetes. I currently live with her also working two jobs. Since her diagnosis in May 2026. It’s been a long road. A medical crisis developed back in July and August due to medications. ( Donepzil and Zoloft ). End of August, she had a horrible reaction to the Zoloft after a psychiatrist upped her dosage to 50MG although she was only taking the medication for 4-5 days before the up. Random hallucinations and paranoia as well as color phobia started as well as time shifting and constantly talking about my dad or her grandpa. It was the hardest thing to witness. After constant fighting with doctors they took her off Zoloft. But those symptoms continued she was in a constant loop for weeks and was given risperidone which took maybe another 5-6 weeks to do its job. Although I don’t want her on this medication. It did reduce her hallucinations, paranoia and agitation but she was very emotionally Flat and sluggish and not really herself on the medication. The only plus is she was able To eat. I know that some of these signs are apart of dementia but the thing that’s driving me insane. Before the Zoloft even touched her system, none of these things were happening. In any case, I thought tapering off the risperdone would be beneficial since it was an acute delirium when it was the hallucinations and etc. It’s been two weeks almost three weeks and unfortunately some of the behaviors are coming back. Not as negative but she is VERY agitated on top of her being sick and adjusting to a new day program. She’s obsessing about my dad. I think all these things are contributing to her stress levels. I don’t want her to be on risperdone due to the side effects and further research. I’m just here to say I’m so overwhelmed and afraid on what to do. My siblings aren’t really that supportive because they feel like because I live with her, I should be dealing with this all alone. Sometimes I feel like I don’t want all that responsibility because I don’t even know what my Mom would want. I think she just genuinely wants to be at peace at her home in a way she can maintain her independence. It’s such a tough transition for her and I’m just not sure what to do or what angle to take when everybody is expecting me to make these decisions. I have an appointment with her Thursday so that we can discuss these things and what should be the next steps. I’m just tired like genuinely exhausteddddddd. Any advice for someone that has siblings and getting lack of support navigating a LO with dementia? P.S I’m sure I’m just sounding like a baby right now but it’s annoying when I have siblings that have nothing but older kids. I have no kids but they want me to be left with the stress because I’m “here” . I’m just tired. I’m really really exhausted. I’m trying to think of my fastest exit and how I can just go   submitted by   /u/ComfortableSquare589   to   r/dementia [link]   [comments]