People don't realize what it involves with taking care of an elderly parent. It's life changing......it's almost like a curse.......it's terrible. I have no time for myself......had to quit my job......have siblings that won't help.........my mother is in terrible condition......eyes, heart and arthritis. She is always constipated and wants milk of mag all the time. I feel like I'm trapped......no time to do anything myself. When a parent gets old....it's terrible......life is terrible.
I feel for Roscoe because he (or she?) is in a similar bind as I am. The details are much different, but the dynamic is the same. There's a sense of no way out, not without making a some compromise which seems unbearable for one reason or another. I think this is where getting outside help like psychological therapy is important because people believe things that aren't true all the time. People believe things are facts that are actually just opinions all the time. So why would we be so different? I'm banking on the fact that I believe something to be true that is false and if I get the right help I'll find out what that is and it will set me free. Roscoe, I'd put it out there to you to consider the same....
I have to add tho...He has not attacked on this thread...but from my home thread several has reached out to him. he then went to our thread and attacked us there....so ya im a lil sensitive! I am learning my boundaries! but hosestly I thought well if he is being this damn tuff n stubborn, maybe that's what he will respond to....
sorry if I have disturbed or upset anyone in this!
what a wonderful idea....but it will cost some money....
I just kinda have a feeling that is the real issue...he don't wanna spend the money on anything!! AND That is what is heartbreaking to us all....
I did not want to destroy my life and spend my entire life savings (which unfortunately was not that much at that time, being divorced n struggling) taking care of my mom. I wanted to find a nice man and start a family....so not only did I give up all my money time and love...I gave up my future, I was 40 then and now almost 50...I don't see me having kids at this point, unless I adopt. so I will never feel what it is like carry a child or give birth...and by the time this ends I will npt even want to adopt. as how fair is that to the child to cut her parenting experience so short. to have an elderly parent to care for at such a young age....
so ya this sucks but it is what it is!
roscoe....what really is your fear and lets deal with it...so we can help ya! and if you cant open up here than you gonna have to pay a private therapist. this is free, use it!!!
Is we all are in a lot of pain and suffering that is why we are here....but these people are graciously taking precious time to help someone who blantantly rejects their suggestions. Is it fair to the person sacrificing their time....no it is not. we are in this together here to work together. The only benefit to the one sacrificing is the reward of trying to do the right thing, and what we will get from the experience. which is exactly what this man is complaining about. The whole process of aging and our society is messed up... there is nothing we can do to change it! unless we work together with an open heart n ears!!!
I had to work through SO many issues while caring for Mom without the help/support of siblings. It was VERY, very, very painful. And, to top it off, my Mom would say some REALLY hurtful things to me (but now she is so very different, like a child, another story of a spiritual conversion) and was so unappreciative. I had to continuously forgive her (and my siblings) for being nasty and self-centered.
The care of my Mom has brought severe rifts with my siblings as they are basically narcissists and self-serving. Yes, it is a lonely and painful road - but at the end of the day... serving my Mom has been one of life's greatest lessons of love.
Once the dementia took over, she is this person I never knew. a sweet happy loving cute as a bug beautiful woman. I cry every time I remember the first nite I took her home from the facility she had been put in while dad was sick. I came out to check on her and she was just cuddled up under the covers, her head popping out. And she looked at me and smiled with this grin bigger than Texas, and said "there's my pretty girl" as I looked at her back. I noticed something...she had beautiful pale blue/green eyes. I realized I had never noticed the color of my mothers eye's, and I am 40 ys old! wow that was huge for me, and I have never looked back about taking her in....its the consequences that are killin me!!!!
and as you say in the end, this is been of life's greatest lessons of love. And I could not agree with you more! I would not change it, except for the financial security part, for the world.
*** If I knew then what I know now, when faced with "If you don't let me bring Mom here, I'm leaving to live with her," I would have said, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out." ****
Yes, hindsight is 20/20. Sounds like you brought in a MIL? In your situation, it sounds like you are the primary caretaker. What about your spouse? Other family members? Have you made known your needs?
when I asked dad many a year ago "what are the plans for the future...you guys aren't getting any younger" and he told me flat out....go back to my town and don't worry about us, you got enuf on your plate" 6-8 ys later boom! the bomb dropped! but my dad is someone I have learned not to argue with so here we are it is the only way it coulda been!!
I just got back from ER with mom and after 3 botched and I mean botched visits in four months Last was Thursday nite. I Had the strength and foresite, I didn't have before, to call ahead get ahold of the one in charge, tell them my concerns and we are headed up and will not tolerate the shenanigins.....We were in an out less than an hour, treated with the respect and dignity the way it should be and Mom Is fine!
How bout that for good news, TRIUMPH!!! and Empowerment!!!!
So yes we can effect some change one little baby step at a time!!!
Have a great day, y'all!!!
Now if I can just find someone! Good help is few and far between as we all know, it is a job in itself to just find someone. then have to start out with just a couple hours a week, work with em, train em get a feel for them, if they can adapt to your specific needs and desires ... I found you got to let them know that if they do adapt well more hours are available and just see if they are motivatied etc.....then you have to decide if this person is or is not goin to work out, and if not, you have invested a month and are starting over...ughhh ho hum and a bottle of rum!!! why isn't anything easy in this darn job!
I am going underground for couple days and regroup, this thread was definitely a learning experience....
Hope when i come back Roscoe is in just a teenee weenee better place too
I am praying for him!!!
Thanks again everyone for your support
Over n out!
Not to thread jack, but are you being paid from the date of the application? I'm in the process of applying for aid & attendance for my mom-just wondering what the process was like for you. Thanks for any info you can give :)
Susan
I SINCERLY APOLOGIZE FOR MY RANT... had just went thru hell in the ER with my mother. I had been running on couple hours sleep in two days and I lost my temper....then I lost my mind I was so mad, mad at the drs the world that I do this alone and have no money to pay anyone....most of what I sed didn't make any sense....I still haven't slept but an hour, I cant cuz I just feel I did just self destruct her.... and I am hoping this makes sense tomoro cuz I gotta get it out now so I can get some gosh darn sleep...ps. they did call me a sailor at the old job ;o).
as I sed I am new here and 9ys doing this with absolutely no family. have been thru a lot more than I could ever explain here my entire adult life with mentally ill bro's ,restraining orders now separate out family. and a dad...which dads illnesss in a round about way killed him.adn now I have mom. So I have ripped open every wound I have with every story I hear over this past month and I am an emotional overload. compounded with lack of sleep I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I AM SORRY "I" DISRESPECTED THE HONOR OF THE FORUM!
I am using caps to enhance my sincerity, not in anger!
AND TO FURTHER APOLOGIZE TO ROSCOE AND BEG HIM TO AT LEAST TRY TO GET HIM N HIS FAMILY INTO A COUNSELOR TO MEDIATE THE FAMILY ISSUES IF THAT IS WHAT HIS HEART SO DESIRES TO HAVE HIS FAMILY HELP HIM.......
THAT SOUNDS LIKE MONEY WELL SPENT AND IF THEY DONT GO, OR IT DOESNT WORK FOR THEM THEN HE STAY TRY TO WORK THRU THE TRUST ISSUES SO HE MIGHT GET AT LEAST A LIL HELP.....IN HOME. IT REALLY WOULD MAKE HIS LIFE BETTER EITHER WAY IN MY VERY HUMBLED OPINION IF IT DONT WORK IT DONT BUT HE TRIED! AND THAT IS EMPOWERING AS WELL
I am using caps to enhance my sincerity, not in anger!
AND I WISH TO THANK THE ONE WHO DID POINT THAT OUT
(just to tired to look back and find name)
if you have money spend it on what you do want....your family be grateful you have a family to try with!!! get a counselor....at least try, please!
k I am taking a benedryl and trying to get a wink or two!
1love y'all
if anyone wants to help me....I am a wreck over this...how do I hold these people accountable when I don't have the time to get a good lawyer and fight for her cuz I need to take care of her!!! JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL IS ALL I CAN SAY RIGHT NOW. I went thru this with dad they wouldn't even take the case cuz he was old no lost wages, punitive max negotiated down to a third take legal fees n taxes you only get so much not really worth time yada yada yada....I don't have time or energy to fight that battle for my ma but she needs me to do it....we need me to do it! then we can get some real help here that we want so bad. what the hell about my pain n suffering trying to save my parents from their doctors!!!!! BOY LIFE JUST ISNT FAIR IS IT????
NOW MAYBE I CAN SLEEP!!!
and I did find out there is a new case settled in Virginia I think...that may? stop the rehab nitemare from happening google platuea medicare etc...if you are ever in this situation!!
ps...it is called survival mode....that is what Is so hard we are brainwashing ourselves to save our own lives....
But if you really really erase the pain...the GODS TRUTH IS "it is a natural human instinct, to survive" we do what we got to not to DIE! its not a great skell I am certainly not proud of that skill....If I let myself go were the devil takes my mind. and pity myself....Starts with the feeling of no kidding "throwing up"....and ends with thinking there is no hope......
If I get angry same result.....I have just plain found no other way to survive...in the end I do not disagree with how you feel, just letting how you feel destroy any chance of happiness...."make lemons outta lemonade"
AND BELIEVE ME U....MY MOTHER WILL NEVER GO IN A NURSING HOME UNLESS IT IS SO CLOSE I COULD BE THERE IN COUPLE OF MINUTES.
so I choose the thing that gives me the most control....to have someone come here so I can supervise and watch this person like a hawk.
AND I KNOW FOR SURE WHEN YOUR MIND IS IN THIS DANCE WITH THE DEVIL IT CAN SEE NO HOPE OF ANYKIND!!
so all I think all of us are trying to say that maybe small comprimises, might give you enuf help to rest a bit and think a lil new thoughts