Judy - I'm sorry to hear of your situation and will add that you're in very good company. The majority of complaints I read on this site seem to be about family who just don't seem to give a damn. I have two brothers myself who want everyone to believe they are such good son's - yet they won't visit my mom, age 90 and in a nursing home. She's nearly bedridden due to arthritis but her mind is good. I live 7 hours away and see Mom more than both of them combined. Obviously I can't speak about your brothers reasons but as for mine it's a combination of hurt, denial, selfishness and laziness. It's hard to see a parent age and it's hurtful to realize they are so limited. They are selfish not to realize that she NEEDS their company and wants to have family close by - strangers at the dinner table offer little comfort.
A friend of mine felt compelled to move her mother in with her family in Oregon because her brother and his family would not agree to visit his mother a few times week or take her to the grocery. He's a MINISTER!!!! A "man of God" (right... can you sense my sarcasm) - who'll spend much of his time visiting shut ins from his church but won't see his own mom or attempt to get his kids to drop by. Sometimes there's just no good reason at all.
You'll make yourself nuts trying to understand why - all you can do is try to have a good relationship with your mom and your spouse and kids. If you need support or want a break, see if mom will agree to a few months in assisted living. My mom spent the winter in assisted living for two years and it was good for her; instead of being stuck alone in her house for days and days, she had company and was able to get out and walk around the facility.
callmeishmael, nice comment about the "non" working, crafting, stay home women who are supported by their husbands. Did it ever occur to you that these people deserve some "me time" too. To do as they wish. I am fortunate enough to not have to work but that doesn't give my brother a free pass. Same when I was a stay home Mom to my three kids, everyone thought I would just do whatever since I "didn't have anything else to do". Sorry but you hit a nerve.
Callmeishmael, some of those non working crafting women gave up careers, businesses, LIVES, to take care of a parent. I was by no means a crafting lady. We've come very close to losing our home, we have one vehicle (a 1998 model) struggle to help put our son through college (thank God for pell grants & student loans), and eat lots of past because it's cheap! I can't even entertain the idea of sending our high school child to drivers Ed. This is not what we had planned! I left behind an 80k year job to do this! How dare you say that before this mostof us lunched with the ladies and sported matching sweater sets! You're posting on the wrong board if this is really what you think!
Has he told you why he doesn't want to take on a responsibility which should be shared by all siblings? All this ping-pong playing can make anyone feel like an orphan, so until your brother has a change of heart sit your mother down and explain the options. You might be surprised. She'll probably say she can fend for herself. After all, if decisions that have a fundamental impact on our lives are going to be made it's only fair we should be in on it.
Well, Judy, at least you got an answer from your brother. I asked my sister where it is carved in stone that I am the sole caregiver for our Mother, and she ignores me. Those who have heart and soul are the ones who end up being the caregivers. Someone said those words on this site. Maybe you could ask him to contribute financially instead, so you could add a caregiver to relieve you, and let him know it is so you can take a vacation, get away for a break--like he does. "They"-- the self-centered, uncooperative siblings are sometimes a bigger drain of energy and patience than doing the 24/7/365 "job". I can depend on my Mother's daytime caregivers to be there for me after a difficult night with her so I can do my day job, but I cannot depend on my siblings for any kind of help. All the Best to you and your Mom:) christina
That's a good answer, Puzzlesncards. It is a huge responsibility, and usually goes to the most capable and busy people. My sister travels all the time, has never had a job, while I do two jobs and take the night shift for our 93 year old Mother. Know what? I do it because it's the right thing to do, and got tired of seeing her over-medicated, falling, ignored and yelled at in a residential care home. Like so many people, we sacrifice a big part of our life to do the care giving. It would be wrong if I, knowing what I do, put her back into a care home. This was expensive and one of the best recommended by a free online placement service. My sister thinks this would be OK. But, she never helped look for a place, doesn't manage the money, didn't modify her home to accommodate our Mother, give up personal freedom, privacy in her home, etc. She could, she just is selfish and weak. Doesn't answer me when I ask her if she would come here for a couple of days WITH the caregiver so my husband could take a break. No, she could never fill my shoes.
Hello Friends, Everyone is touchy on this job once in a while. RE: the callous remark by "call me ick, I'm ill". He's is touchy too, but in a passive aggressive way, attacking fellow caregivers instead of bonding or aligning with us. He is one of those "ring the doorbell and run" guys. Let's help each other, give credit where credit is due, and ignore the AHs who don't like to play by the rules. See where I'm coming from? Don't let another caregiver get under your skin. He needs help!!! We all need help:) hugs, christina
Dont waste your time,it wont happen. There are agengies that will give you some assistance in caregiving,providing that she has an illness that requires respite to come in and care for her but only for a week possiably two. As for your sibling,dont frustrate yourself,life is too short. I have 6 sisters who wont help,so as far as I'm concerned I am an only child,I went through the whole we'll help and we'll be there for mom and after 1 yr of assistance they made all sorts of excuses-Mom has been with us now for 7 yrs-I do go out to get away thanks to the assistance of my husband and children, But as far as a REAL vacation without the worry of Who Will Watch My Mom, Nope that truly hasn't happen. I know that there is a God and Although I dont wish my siblings wrong,I know that they will pay penance for every thing they Haven't done with our Mom. So in my opinion, dont waste your time with your brother, Take time for your self and your Mom,figure out if they are agencies in your area to assist you in your need to get away! Take care.
See, Judy, you're not alone...in many respects, but on this particular subject, you've definitely got company. I think every family has at least one. We do! My brother-in-law, who is single (widowed) with a teenage son, lives at St. George Island (about 90 miles from where we are in Tallahassee). We often hear from folks that they've seen him in town...oh, at the Harley-Davidson place buying a new Harley, or shopping at the mall. He RARELY calls; does not acknowledge any occasions or holidays. When he does come...Christmas before last, he, his girlfriend, and son came late Christmas Eve, stayed until we fed them (they never bring a thing or offer to help!)...so sad. Then they "ate and ran" as they took "leftovers" home with them. My mother in law and my deceased father in law adopted both of these boys as infants. Gave them both a wonderful life--spoiled them, really. The way we see it is that they gave and it's our time to give back. Hard to believe when kids are raised by the same people they can be so different! The last time my husband saw his brother, sometime early last year, he stopped by while he was "in town"...his mission? To find out what's in Mom's will. He specifically wanted to know who gets Mom's house. There ya go...that's what it's about for him. People like him and all these other siblings who are just selfish and self-centered have NO clue what any of us are going through. Even if he offered to stay with her for a day, he'd have no idea what all that entails...who her doctors are, what meds she takes and when, what she eats, when she eats, when she gets up, when she goes to bed...nothing...he knows nothing; and, well, we guess he doesn't want to. The way we look at it is that it is HIS loss; he will probably be the one crying the loudest when she's gone; he's missing out on a lot! May God have mercy on him...and God bless us one and all who are in this place.
So, sorry, but more than likely your brother is just NOT going to help and you can't make him! So be it...hang in there! Great group of people here to talk to and vent to and receive support from...my lucky day when I "happened" to find them here! Welcome!
Family relationships can be difficult. My experience is that it is important to ask for help to address your needs not demand it.because it is someone else's duty.
A friend of mine felt compelled to move her mother in with her family in Oregon because her brother and his family would not agree to visit his mother a few times week or take her to the grocery. He's a MINISTER!!!! A "man of God" (right... can you sense my sarcasm) - who'll spend much of his time visiting shut ins from his church but won't see his own mom or attempt to get his kids to drop by. Sometimes there's just no good reason at all.
You'll make yourself nuts trying to understand why - all you can do is try to have a good relationship with your mom and your spouse and kids. If you need support or want a break, see if mom will agree to a few months in assisted living. My mom spent the winter in assisted living for two years and it was good for her; instead of being stuck alone in her house for days and days, she had company and was able to get out and walk around the facility.
Best of luck to you!
Has he told you why he doesn't want to take on a responsibility which should be shared by all siblings? All this ping-pong playing can make anyone feel like an orphan, so until your brother has a change of heart sit your mother down and explain the options. You might be surprised. She'll probably say she can fend for herself. After all, if decisions that have a fundamental impact on our lives are going to be made it's only fair we should be in on it.
-- ED
Maybe you could ask him to contribute financially instead, so you could add a caregiver to relieve you, and let him know it is so you can take a vacation, get away for a break--like he does. "They"-- the self-centered, uncooperative siblings are sometimes a bigger drain of energy and patience than doing the 24/7/365 "job". I can depend on my Mother's daytime caregivers to be there for me after a difficult night with her so I can do my day job, but I cannot depend on my siblings for any kind of help. All the Best to you and your Mom:) christina
Everyone is touchy on this job once in a while. RE: the callous remark by "call me ick, I'm ill". He's is touchy too, but in a passive aggressive way, attacking fellow caregivers instead of bonding or aligning with us. He is one of those "ring the doorbell and run" guys.
Let's help each other, give credit where credit is due, and ignore the AHs who don't like to play by the rules. See where I'm coming from? Don't let another caregiver get under your skin. He needs help!!! We all need help:) hugs, christina
So, sorry, but more than likely your brother is just NOT going to help and you can't make him! So be it...hang in there! Great group of people here to talk to and vent to and receive support from...my lucky day when I "happened" to find them here! Welcome!
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