Just joined a few minutes ago. I feel so alone, sad, angry.

Kelley, I am sorry you are feeling this way. I, too know what it feels like to be housebound. I always tell everyone I feel like I am in jail, like I have four walls that are about to close in on me. Please, use this forum. It really does help. I have been reading it for about a year now but just joined about a month ago. Everyone on here is so helpful and kind. It is really hard to take care of ourselves. If you are like me, I am so tired by the time everyone else is taken care of, all I want to do is sleep. I take care of my mom and dad and have for 14 years, giving up my friends, my job, my life, everything. My mom is on hospice and has been for about 18 months. You can also talk to me anytime you would like as well. Take care

I am so sorry your feeling sad and alone wish I could give you a big hug in person even though I am a stranger, I know care-giving is really stressful but you need to walk away for a week and be adamant on receiving help! I'm so sorry you have to go through this this forum really helps. You can talk to me anytime!

good luck to you! It is so sad that we live in one of the most prosperous countries and we make it such a hellbent ordeal to get the help we need from the government.
In other "civilized" nations they have free college, healthcare and senior care, but here in the land of the "free" NOTHING is free......

I rarely think to recommend therapy to people looking for help in these situations (I always think in terms of more concrete types of assistance) but I definitely second the recommendation. I have been in counseling for most of the 4 years I've been taking care of my mother and it really has helped me solidify my boundaries and keep from getting to sucked in to my mother's dependency. I'm in a much better place than I would be now without it.

Good. Unfortunately, as my therapist once told me, one can't be their own or their family's therapist. I wish you well in your journey.

I am starting to think therapy might be beneficial to me and I have a Bachelor's Degree in it so no, I'm never opposed to that form of help.

Here's a link to a thread here about emotional blackmail and how to get free from it. https://www.agingcare.com/discussions/power-of-emotional-blackmailers-176430.htm

Depending on how deep this is, you may need the help of a therapist. It's going to be mighty tough with your living in his house. He may revert or only have reverted to seeing you as his little girl once again. Chose to related to him as his adult daughter for that is what both of you really need. You can't change how he relates with you, but you can chose how you relate with him.

Good luck and keep in touch.

Yes I was referring to the Rule CarlaCB pointed out. My dad is comepletely housebound. He breathing is so bad it's a challenge just to go to the bathroom. My home's pretty small so I'm talking 20-25 steps using a walker. He does not drive and really has not left the house in probably the past 4 years other than for Dr. appts.

Kelly, welcome! Is there any chance you would be able/willing to see a therapist to work on the guilt thing? You've got a lot of good company here.

My parents were divorced when I was a teen but kept a close relationship due to the grandkids. Believe me, there is some dysfunction in the story for sure. I know "guliting" is a leverage tool for sure. I really need to learn to not allow it to effect me.