I've been a caregiver for parent with dementia before, and I am in that situation again. I lived with my parents for most of my life, and when mom started to decline, the three of us decided to move closer to my sibling so family could make the most of the time she had left. Not a lot changed, visits were usually still just holidays and birthdays.
When mom really started declining, dad made a choice: We'd take care of her at home, instead of being surrounded by strangers in a strange place. Dad made most of the decisions, and I had to do what I could for mom within those constraints. At the time, the only help we received from sibling and her family was either criticisms and judgments or offers to give us a break for a couple of hours once in awhile. She wasn't willing to actually help.
Sibling had reasons for not doing more, Dad's a narcissist and his judgments were always swift and cruel.
After mom's passing, Dad withdrew and within a year of mom's passing, found someone who made him happier than he had been for awhile. I stayed with him, eventually becoming happy that he was living again, but never really wanting to become a part of his new family.
Dad tried to force his new family on the rest of us during our family gatherings, and when sibling put their foot down, dad did the same.
Eventually, I left dad's home on good terms, he was happy for me in his own way and he had someone he cared for in his life as well. Sibling and dad didn't speak for years until dad developed esophageal cancer.
I came back to help, and Sibling said they would as well. They were present for one consultation appointment at the beginning, leaving me to handle dad's care by myself. The first time he was hospitalized due to the treatments, sibling visited dad and at the end of that visit, chose to leave him to me. Sibling didn't let me know why, just that they wouldn't help dad unless he's the one asking for it. Dad told me sibling ambushed him with past dramas and I chose to believe him.
I was the one to help dad through cancer, but it was hell. His being a narcissist and my being not a doctor meant he didn't have to listen to me and he felt he didn't have to tell me what complications he was having until they were bad enough for hospitalization. I stuck it out because I was all he had. After treatment, and after his recovery, I returned to my life and dad resumed his.
Two years later, cancer returned and I told dad he'd be better off with professionals than with me as a caregiver because of how much he hid from me and didn't hide from them during the first treatments. I stayed where I was, and dad beat cancer with ease.
Then Covid happened. I don't mess around since I'm very high-risk and so is my family. We still mask up when we have to go out, but we still take every precaution.
Last year was a rough one for him. After he had a stroke and while he was going through a stay at a rehab facility I hired a geriatric care manager to help me out from afar. He fell not long after returning home, and the decision was made to get in-home care. They were great until questionable decisions were made without me. (I cannot get into more about that now.)
Last week, the in home care company abruptly terminated dad's service, and with no other choice, I risked Covid and came back to see how I could help his situation and realized I'm in over my head. He now has dementia, he's nearly bed bound, and after reaching out to a still very judgmental sibling who won't help me and thinks I should sacrifice my family and stay with him since he may not have long to live.
I don't believe I can provide the care he needs in his home. These last few days have been hell and I believe a memory care facility near my home is the best thing for him. I've decided that I won't be visiting him in the facility because of Covid concerns and the well-being of my own family and I need to know that this is what's best for everyone before I start.
It sounds like this tough decision involves doing what is best for all involved.
Don't overthink here. Get dad into that facility asap.
What happened to the new person who made your Dad happier than he'd ever been? Did he marry this person? If so, where is this person in all of this?
It was my first thought when I started looking into places for dad, because I knew he'd be happy with them. I reached out to the facility and based on my dad's medical needs, it isn't possible.
Thank you.
Yes, you can't do this. Tell anyone that says otherwise that you have done your share of Caregiving and Dad is too much for you. If Dad is in his 80s then ur approaching 60, and your a Senior too. Not as young as when u cared for Mom.
The next worry when I find a place is going to be deciding what he takes with him, how to transport him, and get him situated before going back and dealing with his house.
As to what is the best decision for you, I think only you can decide that. You didn't cause Dad's illness and you cannot cure it. Whether you are able to hold out until his death is anyone's guess. For myself I would have acted as your sister did, and would not have been as involved as you have been. Just to show you the ride range of choice on any continuum. I think it is time now for you to have a life, but that's my own opinion, and if such a choice makes you miserable then it's the wrong choice for you.
I sure wish you luck. This has been a hard journey for all invovled.
visit.
If you are POA, move forward unequivocally with your decision for his placement. He and or others may try to inflict guilt on you; IGNORE this.
You are making a decision for his safety and well being.
You can also call APS, Adult Protective Services, and report the situation in the home, notify them that you are not able to provide care in the home and, the date that you are leaving the home.
Practice your own self care.....!! You deserve it
I am not saying your sibling is right, in fact I urge you to stand by what you have already established with Dad which is that you are both better off with professionals doing the caregiving, your days of Home caregiving have passed. Whether or not you visit it sure sounds like you plan to be the coordinator so unless there are important people who visit in the area he is currently or in the area his companion moved to I think your instinct to place him closer to you is wise, there will be things to oversee and take care of even if your doing it from a distance and that gives you the opportunity to be closer to it all. Also I know at least during the height of the pandemic some nursing homes made arrangements for dying patients and their families by sequestering the patient in a room away from others next to a rear entrance for instance so the family doesn’t come in contact with anyone else in the facility. If you would like to be able to visit him maybe you could explain the situation and ask if they could set up something to protect your family with each facility you visit or talk to as your choosing one.
Thats only if you want the option to visit him of course and no judgment from me on wanting to do that or not. You have without question gone above and beyond for both of your parents as has your family by the sounds of it, no guilt. You will experience grief even for a narcissistic father as he continues through this process, you may grieve for the relationship you always wanted as well as the one you had but don't even put guilt in your vocabulary because it has no place there, your parents were and are both lucky to have you wether they acknowledged it or not.
Then you can plan your next vacation and block your sister until Dad passes away. Google Wellness Resort and pick a destination.
BTW, where is the new woman who made Dad so happy?
Wishing you and your family all the best.
Take care of yourself.
since you are familiar with caregiving, and you’ve laid the situation out pretty thoroughly, I think we know that you know what you need to do and what would be best for you & your dad - if the siblings are unwilling to truly help, they kinda don’t get a vote. And you tell them that if it comes to it.
I say go with your gut. Pray for guidance, pray for strength, pray for wisdom, and be as gracious as you can. Trust that you’re doing the right thing.
And if you see things going sideways you’re not gonna just let it happen you’ll take care of it. You can’t predict the future but when something happens you know how to deal with it. believe in yourself.
The scoffers will always be there. We all have them in our lives. You have to mentally put them in the box where they belong if they’re not moving forward with you.
You have us to support you! and get some face-to-face Support too. Even just for a few sessions the women and men will be very supportive through this difficult time. Get advice from the Office on aging, have a friend to go with you to check out locations, try to find all the reviews you can, pick someplace where you can visit easily so you can monitor them. You’ll be OK ❤️