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M
meka Asked May 2010

How can I get my step-dad to help out more with my mother's care?

My mom and step-dad are not considering asst. living so the work of cooking, laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc.etc. is on me. It's difficult. Stepdad works p/t but expects me to run the household chores. Mom's not well at all after a Kidney transplant. He does not help me. I have to go everywhere with her while he sits and watches t.v. Then come home and unload the car of groceries and put it up and cook and do dishes. I'm getting tired and need some feedback on boundaries and how to get him to help with chores.

EXPERT Carol Bradley Bursack, CDSGF May 2010
Of course you are tired! You don't say if you live with them or if they live with you. You may have to ask adult social services for some help. They mmay be able to refer you or help them or something so you aren't solely responsible.
Please try that and let us know if you get help.
Carol

Bobbi May 2010
I don't know about other states, but Virginia has several options through Medicaid called Home and Community Based Services. I believe all states have something similar. These services are designed to put supports into place to assist families who are trying to care for a loved one. Services such as: Personal Care, Respite, PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) can go a long way to providing the needed support. Contact your local DSS, or Health Department. They should be able to assist you. Individuals do need to meet financial and medical necessity criteria.

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Bobbi May 2010
One of the reasons that I advocate for families seeking out paid professional services (ex. case management under the Elderly Waiver) is that if you are not familiar with the system, attempting to navigate your way around it when the need is "now" can be unbelievably stressful. Once the resources are found by the family, they then also have to be monitored ( emphasis on monitor). The reason I recommend case management services is that they are trained to: link, monitor, coordinate and advocate for the patient. When the child of an aging parent tries to take care of these aspects in addition to maintaining their own life, the toll can be great. I guess my bottom like is do not hesitate to ask, beg, scream for help...you will be doing yourself and your parents a great service.

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