Well...with me I am the caregiver and I have a hell of a time getting Carol to talk to me about the emotions she has. Besides being physically drained, she is mentally out of it....At times she lets me know how she feels, but other times she's quiet. I read her body language, her expressions, what she does on a daily basis. I'm always asking her how she's feeling, etc., and I know when to quit...when she's ready to talk, she will. Even when I keep her informed about her appointments, her care, what needs to be done, sometimes she doesn't want to hear it, but knows it'll be taken care of. We've known each other 29 years and on occasion have verbally said what the other person is thinking. Does that make any sense? It's actually scary.

I'm sorry I can't answer your question as in this household it's reversed, but I do know what you're saying. Maybe there are other posters that can answer your questions more eloquently.

Linda