WOW, I found this site while searching for info on how to prepare for my 85 yr old mothers arrival. Now I am TERRIFIED! My sisters have cared for mom since dad died 7 yrs ago. She lived in between them in an apartment. They did the Dr. appts. grocery shopping, visits,etc. She is no longer able to live on her own-extrememly forgetful and feeble. So its me or a nursing home; we promised our parents years ago that would not happen. I was almost excited about it, but not now. I'm divorced, 1 kid away at college, and 350 miles from my sisters. HELP
It's said that we all think we are ten years younger than other people our age : )
My mother, when she was in the nursing home, had the idea she wasn't as "old" as the other folks, or as "bad off." That attitude, unfortunately, kept her from joining in on some things she would have enjoyed. But that was her decision. Elders still make decisions that affect their future.
I hope things start looking up for you, but you obviously have many difficult decisions to face. You'll have some days that aren't bad, and some that seem hopeless. Please remember we're here for you through all them.
Carol
I think the worst is the conflicts and that my mother won't come to the realization that her health needs closer attention and that what the doctors say is serious. She denies but blames also. She wants attention but chases you away with a negative attitude. I have tried to suggest some ways she can be with people her own age and she says their too old. I wish things could be different and I know that when my Dad is gone that there will be a change, hopefully for her it will be better. Judy
You make the point even stronger that everyone is in different circumstances. Family dynamics make it impossible for some people to do any hands-on caregiving at all. Your love and respect for your dad keeps you going. You may not (probably will not) be able to be hands-on caregiver for someone who abuses you like your mother does. No one should have to live that way. I hope you can find her the kind of help she needs without you being the person to take the verbal abuse. Many people are harder on their family members than outsiders.
Cat is explaining what works for her. You are saying it like it is for you. Both of you are valid in what you say. Please keep telling us how it's going. We can't change it but we can listen. And we can learn.
Carol
Each person is different, as is each caregiving experience. The dynamics between family members can make a huge difference, also. I really like your reference to the fact that when family and friends can't understand a caregiver, that doesn't make them bad people. They don't understand because they haven't done it.
Compassion fatigue is getting wide recognition for family caregivers. It needs more publicity. Thanks for bring it up.
Carol
There is a syndrome know as compassion fatigue - it is normally attitributed to pd, firefighters, healthcare and disaster workers, but it also affects caregivers. It is a serious issue and if it is not recognized & addressed can affect not only the caregivers health and well being, but also creates a blow-back effect on others. I am thankful to this site as a source to relieve stress and blow off steam - I also rely on it to feel not so alone and learn from others. I feel deeply for anyone who is feeling stressed and abused or put upon. My life is not a bed of roses - I just remind myself to look at it that way.
We all cope differently - the key is to understand what we do to cope and give it a positive spin so that we can stay healthy and somewhat sane (if not completely happy). Short-circuting negative thoughts and replacing them with action has always worked for me.
I coped and short-circuted some of my stress by joining a local community emergency response team (CERT) - I was able to work through alot of the helplessness I felt; learn from paramedics / fd - many of whom know my mom from 911 calls, and learned about how to handle myself in a disaster. Those lessons I learned from those guys I apply to everyday caregiving... and by going through disaster awareness training, understand more about burnout & compassion fatigue. On the plus side - I now know more of my neighbors and what I would do if disaster strikes - something all of us as caregivers are afraid of deep down inside.
I hope that this helps anyone thinking of taking on caregiving - many people may dissuade you from it as "too hard". Take it from me - 5 years ago my mother's doctor thought I was 'crazy' to bring her home - this past year she admitted that she was amazed at how well a frail senior could thrive in a home care environment. I'm not special - I just tend to not believe people who say I can't do something. Be strong, be smart, live well - caregiving can be a win for everyone
I have gone through my own time feeling like an invisible woman -
I don't remember my mother taking care of parents at my age 45. She was dining out with my Dad, playing cards with friends, etc.
I don't resent my father he's 95 soon and he needs me, I do resent my mother 74 who should be caring for her husband but she is verbally abusive and doesn't have the patience to do it. She didn't pay attention to her health.
So me an only child am here and when it gets to the point where I can not handle my father, I will consult my family and do whats best for him and me. I don't believe that he is nursing home material right now, he can still do alot by himself, he can't see but his mind is pretty sharp.
I believe if you come here for advice it shouldn't be sugar coated, and a nurse told me that most woman are bitter and she has been in the business 29 years.
Decor
I, too, have seen much healing. I've also seen terrible caregiver burnout. I've seen people I would never have guessed had "caregiving genes" become great caregivers, and some who seemed suited for it simply not able to handle the demands.
I really liked your personal note. I, too, feel it's far better to be in a home with professional caregivers than to be cared for by someone who resents doing so (continually). It's a rare caregiver who won't feel some resentment at times - about their situation, or toward the person at certain moments - but that is different than constant resentment.
That feeling is generally recognized by the caregiver, and he or she should look into at least temporary, and perhaps permanent, relief from full-time duty, for the sake of the caregiver as well as the care receiver.
Carol
I have to say that the comment made earlier, "Most of the caregivers mothers are bitter and hateful." is not helpful to anyone who is looking for help at the start of their journey as a caregiver. Caregivers take on the task for their own reasons - and deserve support and answers to their questions. I was handed a 1/2 bag of diapers and good wishes from a discharge planner....and did a much learning by trial and error on my own. I wish I had known about this site as the info and support is invaluable to me. I applaud ger for having the tenacity, caring and courage to ask for help and advice - it is her journey and she deserves respect, advice and resources - whatever she decides.
Will Rodgers once said, I never met a man I didn't like.....actually that is a good philosophy to embrace as a caregiver. Everything hinges on relationships. Life is too short to be unhappy. I do understand that everyone's experience and relationship with the person they are caring for is different - *but* many times this is your chance to wipe the slate clean and put all of those issues you had behind you. On a personal note: if the person caring for me did not like me or was working on unresolved issues I would probably want to be in a nursing home - when someone is old, frail, set in their ways, they are at the mercy of their caregiver.and that includes the caregiver's mood....and like it or not the caregiver has to be the 'bigger person'. They may be a handful, but how you respond to it is the point.
best of luck to all of us - Ger most of all
We need to remember that we are still caregivers when we get help - even if the help is a care home. I had three elders in a nursing home toward the end, but I was still visiting nearly every day, and working full time and handling all of the doctor appointments and other issues that go with caregiving.
Most of us want to help. The question is how much is too much? It's never the same for any two people and situations. That's why discussions like these are so valuable. It helps us work through our issues and it breaks the isolation that can make us feel like we are the only one handling these difficult decisions.
This is a terrific group, here on AgingCare. I'm so happy to be part of it.
Carol
She is a professional in the field, yet even she is burning out. There's only so much one human can do. People who haven't been in the trenches rarely know the toll caregiving takes on every element of the caregiver's life - which is why so many caregivers have health problems of their own. The family saves money when an elder isn't in a care home, but the person on whom all the responsiblity falls is often overwhelmed.
Please remember her words and don't make promises that you don't know you can keep. Heavyload said she'd do it as long as she could. That was wise. The time is coming when she can't, and there should be no guilt, shame or blame. We can only hope the siblings wake up and help make the decision to get more help by finding a good care facility for Mom, and everyone can visit. We can hope, can't we?
But things have changed a lot since you made that promise and it no longer makes sense. We can't control many things in life, including how long we will live with the need for intense caregiving.
Our elders remember the old nursing homes, which is one reason they beg for that promise. Yes, unfortunately, there are still some out there that are bad. But a lot of progress has been made. Do some looking in your area before you need to make a crisis decision. You may find that there are very excellent, homey places that can care for your mother much better than you, alone, can. You are still a caregiver, when you have a loved one in assisted living or a nursing home. You just have a lot more help - hopefully qualified help.
Of course you and your family will need to keep close tabs on things, but it wouldn't be like trying to care for her at home. Your mother would have company and activities and may even make friends (after she adjusts).
Prepare for an adjustment period and laying on of guilt. Just don't accept the guilt. Keep positive. Keep repeating that you need to do what is best for her. She needs care you can't give. You are still caring for her, just with help. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Eventually, she'll adjust and life will change once more.
Think of what your mother would want for your life, as well as her life, if she were 50 year old now and could look at what you are facing. Likely, she would want you to do what was best for you, your family and, in the end, her. She will likely need to go to a nursing home, maybe soon, and it is also likely that a move to one will be the best thing for her.
So, in the end, the "promise," though made in good faith, is null and void. What is best for her and you, now, is what matters.
The biggest problem I have with him is eating, he has acid refux and with no teeth he is real picky. I do try to put meat through the processer but he really doesn't like it that way. We have been to physical therapy because he broke his leg a year ago. There are alot of ups and downs with him. But he appreciates what I do for him.
On the other hand my mother who is 74 never did real good throughout the years taking care of herself she had a stroke a few weeks after Dad broke the leg. She had vascular surgery and pulled through that not too bad. Found out she has a bad heart and should have surgery but won't. She has osteoporosis and walks with a walker. She has a very bad attitude toward everything. She hates the fact that my Dad can't function like he used too. She doesn't drive and he can't anymore so I am the one to take her to all her appts., go get the meds., but I refuse to do everything for her.
All I can tell you is whatever your mom can still do for herself let her, do not be an enabler. If you have a good relationship that will help, but sometimes they tend to forget that we are adults and we have lives too. Don't give up what you like to do just because you become a caregiver.
The girls that I talk to here all feel like we are missing part of our lives. Go to the title "advice on how to deal with live-in mother" and you will find others like yourself in the same situation. Sometimes we just vent and it helps. Judy > Decor