How do I deal with siblings not providing support?

Asked by Deonna  |  Oct 10, 2008

I have been a caregiver for my mother for the past 10 years. This has been a challenge since I am a widow and living on a single income. I have 2 other siblings and a few years ago sat them down and told them it was no longer just my responsibility and asked for their help. Neither wanted her to live with them so she is living with me but both agreed to provide $100/mo towards expenses. This in no way pays for her expenses but it was something. Now one sibling has just quit paying and says it isn't her responsibility. Can anyone suggest how I can get her to continue her part, are there any legal avenues, etc. I am at my wits end over this and of course it is disrupting the family as we are now divided over this. Help

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Carol Bradley Bursack, Oct 27, 2008

Over the span of two decades author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Because of this experience, Bradley Bursack created a portable support group, the book "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories."

 

You have a lot of company. You can try to divide up the care, letting everyone know their part. But if they don't come through, there isn't a lot you can do. One thing I've seen repeatedly, is that the adult children who don't help out have more "grief," when the elders die. I believe it's then that they wish they'd been around. The one doing the hands-on caregiving knows that they did what they could. So there is peace.
Carol

 
 

emma

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Oct 31, 2008

do good deeds for that God sees the deeds and so his prophet and the faithful believers. Be a role model for those selfish, so the may regain insight,or do not forget that God delay those selfish but never neglects them.

Emman

 
 

donnajean

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Nov 6, 2008

OH My God I will never complain again. My prayers are with you all

 
 

pamela6148

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Jan 13, 2010

HocusPocus I feel for you. Your sister used that as a pawn to get out of helping with expenses for your mom. My mom and sister had the kind of relationship that whatever my mom bought for my mom, mom would pay her back. Therefore when my sister makes purchases for my mom, I have to pay her back with my moms money.

I was never a great financier, for lack of other words, but since my mom got sick and I became POA of her finances I have shocked myself. I've told my mom several times that I don't know how she did it all these years and was able to save so much money but I've learned in these last 3 months that I too can do, and I've even learned how to save a little bit a month myself. There are so many resources out there for help and I've talked with so many county, state, and government agencies.

I too have had words with my brother-in-law and I won't even go into what we've argued about. He's one who likes to keep up a mess. I just call him "OLD GRANDFATHER CLOCK" cause he looks so old and I keep on going. hahahaha

 
 

Kearly

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Oct 11, 2008

Hello,
I too am going through the same thing with my sibilings, I have asked for help, and been paying out of pocket for expenses for my Dad. I have 3 adult sibilings, who live less than a mile from our Dad, I live 30 miles away and have been residing with my Dad since he was released from the hospital August 22 of 2008. My sibilings don't even stop by to assist me with a thing, I have even asked for a couple nights off to spend sometime at home with my husband, but all I hear is we have plans, it has caused so much tension with my sibilings that if I do see them it becomes a shouting match. I wish I has some answers for you, but like me, I am at a lost for a solution. Hopefully someone on this website will give some insight to this. Good luck to you.

 
 

topaz

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Oct 18, 2008

I stopped working to care for my mother. One likes to think that siblings are going to be willing to help. Some do. I wasn't that lucky. I guess they belived there was a money tree in the back yard. I am lucky if they call. I have hinted at first then yelled nothing. The stress of dealing with them made me sick. Did anyone care nope. They continued on with there lives. Now if I got sick who would care for my mom? So I let it go. What I have learned is that you can not make someone do what they are not willing to do. Apply for grants to help pay for things. I don't mention it anymore. Me and my mother are happy. And in the long run all I care about is that my mother is happy and safe. Take care of yourself and your mother.
For breaks apply for respite grants. That way you can have time for yourself. Just don't fight over it.

 
 

Kearly

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Oct 18, 2008

Thank you for your words of wisdom, since I found this site and posted, my Dad has passed away, now I am faced with those who didn't help are crying the loudest, and making the mourning process so difficult. I was told to leave the apartment where my Dad had resided the locks were changed that day by my youngest brother, and today they let me go in and pick up my belongings. I am know back home with my loving husband, but the pain is so deep, I have screamed and yelled and picked arguments with the other sibilings, I feel like I have been used and spit out. I do thank God for the time my Dad and I had together, but it just hurts so much, I have never in my life felt so alone. It am at a loss for words that family can be so hateful and hurtfull, and so ungreatfull. Since I lost my Mom back in 2003 and again I was her caregiver, and the same thing happened, but at least my Dad was there for moral support, but now that my Dad is gone, I just have me and my husband, and I am thankful for that. Thanks.

 
 

MrEldercare

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Oct 19, 2008

Kearly, I wish I could tell you the experience you've had is not the norm. Sadly, it's all too common. Topaz it right- let it go. You can only control what you can control. As much as you'd like to change the way another acts or feels, you simply can't do it. If others don't wish to help, you can't force them. The stress it creates literally can make you sick. It saddens me to hear how your younger brother treated you and I understand how you feel used up and tossed out. The best you can do for you and your husband is to simply forgive your siblings. Any anger you feel will not affect them in the slightest. They don't care. So why let the anger burn inside of you? To what end?

Hold on to the good memories you have of your dad and mom. Let your heart rest knowing the good you have done. It sounds like you have a good relationship with your husband. Nurture it. Bask in it. Let that love heal your wounds and carry you into tomorrow. Your parents were blessed to have someone like you be there for them. Service like that helps you get fitted for angel wings. Can't say that about your siblings, though, can we?

 
 

Marti

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Oct 26, 2008

Amen.

 
 

TRACY

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Oct 27, 2008

IM IN THE SAME PLACE YOU ARE, TAKING CARE OF MY MOM ALONE WITH2 OLDER SISTERS THAT BOTH MOVED AWAY BECAUSE THEY WANTED NO PART OF IT ALL. TODAY WHEN I WAS AT MY MOMS APARTMENT I SAW A CARD FROM MY OLDEST SISTER TO MY MOM. A BIG FLOWER ON THE FRONT AND IT READ "THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY" HOW SWEET IS THAT. ALMOST MADE ME SICK. SO I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL AND HOW MAD IT CAN MAKE YOU

TRACY

 

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