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Momsgoto Asked January 2018

I am drawing a line when it comes to living in my house with no boundaries. Is this reasonable?

I am taking care of my mom and have been doing so for about 8 years. She lives in her own home which is about 50 miles from me. She is really not capable of living independently as I am constantly attending to the crisis du jour. I am past burn out. Sparing you the details, my mother has put me through the ringer. In the past, I suggested that she move closer to me and even offered to add on to my home. She refused which I understood when she was younger but I knew she would eventually need more assistance and wanted to be proactive. Over the past 8 years I have tried many times to plan and reason with her about her care. Working full time and having my own home and family to care for in addition to traveling to help her is proving very difficult. Now, at 92 she has more and more needs. She has some mild dementia and a demanding personality that would be disastrous to my marriage if she moved into our home. My husband has said no way to her living with us. When she comes to visit it is very difficult. She is contrary and stubborn and has incontinence problems that she refuses to acknowledge. I have set some boundaries with her but the one that I absolutely hold firm is that she cannot live in my home without separate living quarters. Just a small space with a bathroom and sitting area so my husband and I can have some privacy and respect for our own routines. Mom has refused that and just wants to move in with no boundaries. She feels like it is a rejection if we suggest separation. Truth be told, I don't even think a separate area is the right course of action at this point. Mom has money saved for her care however I would not want her to spend money on renovations to our home only to need assisted living in a short time. I love my mom dearly. I am more than willing to take care of her but I think at this point, assisted living in a place that is very close to me would be best. I am drawing a line when it comes to living in my house with no boundaries. Does that sound reasonable?

Isthisrealyreal Jan 2018
Absolutely do not let her move into your home, that she is trying to guilt you into it gives you a fair warning in site as to how it would be. I would not even add on a space, she will not use it, she will take over your house. I don't want to sound cold hearted but why do parents think they can move in on our adult lives, treat our families and spouses as though they don't matter, have us jumping through hoops trying to please them and forget about "those" people (our spouses and children), it is my way or nightmare, if I suffer all of you will pay the price and on and on and on. You are perfectly right in your choice to put her in an Assisted living facility or nursing home.e, whatever her conditions require. Please respect your husbands wishes when he says no, your mom will be gone and you will have no life if you don't. Giving elderly parents the right to ruin our lives is our choice, not theirs. Prepare yourself, she will put you through h**l trying to get her way, stick firm and get her into the best place so professionals can take care of her, this is how to love and honor her now. Best luck, remember to tuck your chin so she has no access to it😎

Midkid58 Jan 2018
I will just second the answer of "DO NOT BRING MOM INTO YOUR HOME". You already have boundary issues? If she's living with you, they will be out the window in under a week.

Assisted Living (if affordable for you) is a MUCH better option.

The comparison that since your parents took care of you, you somehow "owe" them, is one that drives me NUTS.

I was raised by my parents. Then I raised my own kids. I think THAT was "payback". Never even asked them to even babysit.

My beloved grandmother did SO MUCH for me. I once asked her how I could ever repay her for all this love and service. She said "Look forward, do the same for your own kids." She NEVER expected or demanded that her kids care for her.

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Onlychild22 Jan 2018
Hi Momsgoto, I don't post often but I do regularly read all of the questions and answers. What struck me about your question is the sanity and clarity with which you are approaching your situation. Stick to it and take care of yourself. Unfortunately there is another current thread possibly somewhat similar to your situation, but in the end stages where it has not worked out and could be a good example to you... stick to your guns, and read this post to reinforce your decision...
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/my-father-in-law-is-making-my-life-miserable-how-can-i-get-him-out-of-my-house-434788.htm

BarbBrooklyn Jan 2018
You are being completely reasonable, Mom.

SueC1957 Jan 2018
YOU said it all;
"Truth be told, I don't even think a separate area is the right course of action at this point." That's right, no area of your home should be used to house her.

DO NOT let her into your home. I did that with my 95 yo mom, (Alz.6) and it was sheer hell. My relationship with her was nonexistent and my relationship with my husband was strained...to say the least. If I didn't get her out of our home, we would have all killed each other!!!! You will pay dearly with your physical and mental health if you let her in. Not to mention disregarding your husband's wishes. What if the tables were reversed?

Get her into an Assisted Living or, if needed, memory care facility. If she doesn't have the resources to live there, apply for Medicaid. Contact Social Services for information.

NO GUILT! You will still be caring for her, as you said, but you know in your mind, heart and gut that taking her home would be the end of your life as you know it.

Don't let her pull that cr+p on you about no food. Every time you go, take a few groceries, so when she says that she has nothing to eat, you can say, "Mom, you can make soup and a sandwich, I brought you the bread, meat and soup the last time I visited." She is a controlling one, isn't she?

She'll probably, in the long run, be happier with people her own age. It just takes some getting used to.

Momsgoto Jan 2018
Also I want to say that I am not refusing to care for my mother. I will do all she needs. My Father-in-law was in assisted living for 4 years. My husband and I still had much to do for him. So just because my mother would not be living with me does not mean I would be refusing to care for her. The daily care would be taken care of but I would still be totally involved with her in every way. That is care.

jjariz Jan 2018
"Sorry Mom, I can't do that." REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT

Kimber166 Jan 2018
do NOT let her into your home!!

bettina Jan 2018
Momsgotto, don't fall for the guilt! It's often proffered by those who have cooperative siblings and parents, or who have parents who maintain good boundaries and are
otherwise reasonable and loving. Narcissistic type parents evolve into black holes of need when they're older, despite often having been terrible parents and/or neglectful of their own parents.

Even with your mother in assisted living, there will still be plenty to do, as you still have to help with medical supplies, clothing, mail, bills, etc etc, My Dad is in skilled nursing and calls daily with a new need or crisis. Cell phones, remote controls go missing, still has falls, incontinence, ruined clothes/shoes, problems w/caregivers or staff. etc etc.
Try taking care of that at home, hurting your back with transferring from bed to car to toilet, and back again. Transferring a frail senior, dealing w/incontinence, poor eating
and memory loss is hard enough. Take away good emotional boundaries and it's hell.

Good luck!!!!

golden23 Jan 2018
Keep that line strong. Having her in your home would be disastrous. For many it takes a health crisis for the appropriate care to be set up. In the meanwhile, look after yourself.

I don't think there is any point in trying to convince her of a sensible plan for her care. She wants to be "the queen" in your household, and that is not going to happen, so just let her be and keep your boundaries.

She wouldn't starve if you backed off some, visited less often and limited phone calls, would she? You have a heavy load, and need to look after your family and yourself and not get too drained.

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