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sassy85 Asked March 2019

Should my husband and I keep his 4 siblings and his mother's 2 sisters informed on health deteriorations? Visits from local family scarce.

When I inform them of major health issues: she can no longer use both hands at tasks or will fall over, shingles , new aortic aneurysm diagnosis, they still don't visit her regularly. They (3 sons) all live within 5 miles. Only one visits weekly. The others go months without seeing her. Even the good son who visits doesn't make sure she stays on her oxygen, uses the bathroom, drinks her minimum water if I go away and need him to cover for a few hours. We hire a CNA if we go anywhere overnight. She is on hospice and lives in our home. We have been caring for her for 3 and a half years, hospice only the last 6 months. The only thing that takes off my plate is bathing and driving to most Dr appointments. I'm not asking them to change diapers or anything, just visit her at least weekly. I'm just her daughter in law, but it makes me angry and resentful toward them. I always roll out the red carpet when they do visit, tell them to help themselves and her to anything in the fridge or pantry. I feel like they only want to know when the Dr. finally says "Call the family home."

JoAnn29 Mar 2019
At this point, really not much you can say. If you are doing all the updating and no one calls you, I would stop. Maybe they feel "Sassy will call". Stop calling. When asked why you haven't called, say no real changes and you felt if they were worried they would call. You have enough on your plate with 24/7 care and the stress of when will she pass.

I think Hospice allows for respite time? You may not need to hire someone Hospice may provide a CNA?

Eyerishlass Mar 2019
I agree with Katiekate. Send a mass email every week or every 10 days or whenever you think is a good time. It's an update on how your MIL is doing. You don't need to write a book, just the highlights. Hit "send" and be done with it knowing you've done your duty.

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Katiekate Mar 2019
Oh I know what you are going thru!! Sorry it has to be this way. So many here have been down this same road ...including myself.

what helped me was to stop expecting anything. I could not change other people, only my reaction.

create a “newsletter” style email. Drop it off to all of them via a mailing list. In that way each will get the same info, know that everyone else got it too, and that it was all done with little to no personal touch. Helps you to keep your distance from them yet still provide info to all.

as I only had the one brother, it was a very straight up facts only email. Helped me to keep emotional distance from him. It was that or I was going to turn into the screaming bit*h.
sassy85 Mar 2019
Love the mass email idea. I had started a group page for family members on facebook, but only the grandkids accepted the invite.

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