An elderly mother and her son were found dead in a home in Inverness Monday evening, victims of an apparent murder/suicide.

Citrus County deputies responded to a call reporting a possible murder/suicide at a house on Daly Lane in the Inverness Highlands. They found Kay Renner, 89, and her son, Jerry Lee Mone, 69, both dead from gunshot wounds.

Deputies also found notes left by Mone saying that his mother suffered from Alzheimer's at an advanced stage, and that he was having difficulty caring for her.

At this time, investigators believe Mone shot Renner and then himself. However, they are awaiting an autopsy report from the coroner's office.

Psychiatrist John Grace said caregivers in Mone's situation often spend between 100 and 120 hours caring for their love ones a week. They do it for years on end, and the stress builds up.

"The burden that caregivers are going through is incredible," he said. "I think the first thing you have to do is say, 'It's OK that I can't do it all. I'm not a failure.' "

Grace said caregivers need to take care of themselves as well, and to ask for help.

"One of the biggest things we try to work with, is you have to take care of yourself to take care of anybody else," Grace said.

Deputies report that the pair rented the house on Daly Lane, and had only been there a short time before their deaths.

Caregiver Resources

A common affliction among long-term caregivers and family members caring for elderly relatives is depression.

According to the Mayo Clinic, caregivers often in an effort to provide the best care possible put their loved ones needs before their own. This can result in feelings of sadness, anger, or loneliness.

Resources are available to long-term caregivers to help them handle both their responsibilities and coping with feelings that may arise in the course of providing care.

The following is a listing of local organizations and programs whose goal is to help caregivers with their own needs, so they can better provide for those in their care.

The Alzheimer's Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter (http://alz.org/flgulfcoast/) has a number of affiliated support groups serving each county in the Bay Area. These groups are for for family members, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease.

Meetings are open to everyone and free of charge. For program information and to verify meeting dates, times, and locations in each county, click the links below. For other questions or to arrange free respite care so you can attend a group, call 1-800-272-3900.

Psychology Today Therapy Group: Caring for the Caregiver - Learn ways to prevent compassion fatigue and ensure that you are taking good care of your health as you help someone you love regain their health.

Caregiver Resource Network: Caregiver Support Groups - A general listing of Hillsborough and Pinellas County groups for Alzheimer's and Dementia caregivers.