I’m the 24/7 caregiver for my 87 year old mother who has dementia. I pay for 10 hours of outside help. I have a sister who took her out for an hour on Thanksgiving and visited on her birthday. Mother’s Day will be her next visit and I’m dreading it already. She does nothing else to help me care for OUR mother. She even took a part time job to be unavailable 7 days a week and told me she can’t bring OUR mom to her home because she rents and mom might destroy something. OUR mother weighs 89 lbs and can only walk about 10 feet. I’ve been doing this for 7 months. I cried every day for the first 2. I haven’t been able to visit my grandchildren in Ohio or babysit my 2 other grandchildren nearby. I had just retired from my job as a nurse in a state prison when my stepdad had a stroke and passed away...I liked prison better. My mom pees in her shoes and blames my dog...I gave her a small trashcan for dirty tissues and she pooped in it. My dog and I just look at each other and shake our heads. I have gotten to the point where I am ok with this caregiver life but I can’t deal with how much I resent my sister. I don’t want her here. I don’t like her. I don’t want to be the bigger person. I’m doing what I feel is right for OUR mother and I can live with myself. I don’t have to make it easier for her to sleep at night.
The private caregivers do not work for out-of-town; I get that. But you chose to not try the facility for whatever reason. It's not killing people or there would not be any living there. It's just not optimal. But it's also not optimal for two people (you & mom) to cease to live full lives instead of just one...just your mom. I really encourage you to try respite service for two weeks and visit the grandkids. Mom will get over it and probably forget you left. Those days with grandbabies are short and will last the children 70 years. Blessings.
Mom still gets to see her children and since your relationship with your siblings isn’t harmonious then why should you have to spend time with them.
We don’t get to pick our family like we can our friends. Some who have family members that aren’t the nicest people choose to spend time with close friends. I don’t blame them.
But just out of curiosity, have you actually told sis that you could use some help? Help with some respite caregiving? Help financially with some more paid caregivers if she doesn’t want to personally get involved? Maybe she thinks since you are an retired nurse you are so competent that you don’t need any help? Have you tried guilt? Is she dense and needs a 2x4 to see what’s going on? Do you just grit your teeth and let this resentment fester? It’s really unhealthy and I hope you find a way to get through to her for all of your benefit.
But this here particular decision - should you let your sister visit your mother where your mother lives on Mother's Day - is ONLY about what's good for your mother. Will your mother enjoy seeing her other daughter, even if a only little bit, even if only in the moment? Unless it's a definite negative, for reasons which you haven't yet mentioned, then you must allow your sister to visit and if possible make her tolerably welcome. Or at least not put laxatives in her tea.
I used to bring leftovers for lunch. Laxatives in her tea! Hahaha. Memories! I worked with a guy who always stole my lunch from the office lounge area in the fridge. I put my name in large bold print and he still stole it, so I put ex lax chocolate candy in it as a special treat for him! He NEVER, EVER stole my lunch again.
I have 4 living siblings who have chose not to be a part of my parents life, since I moved them with me. I have a brother who has told my Mom he will be stopping by to see her on his way traveling through. I feel all kinds of ugly things about this, which I would never say to my Mom. She loves her children whether they love her back or not. So, she is excited about his visit. I am sick about it because now I just hope he actually shows up, its been years since she has seen him(his choice). I would like to say all kind of things to him, my human does not want him in my home. But, I would never not allow anyone to see my Mom, if she wants to see them. If we hold on to these resentful feelings it just promotes illness in us. While as a previous poster said, they do not feel guilty. So, allow your Mom her visit with her daughter. Unless your Mom doesn't want to see her. But either disappear for a while, or stay and be civil. But do not let resentment fester into bitterness and hatred. It is so not worth it.
May God bless. Hope you find peace.
i think if you could get some time away you would deal with this much better
now here is advice others gave me. It’s just one day. Grin and bear it. Perhaps you could provide your sister with some one on one time with her mother by going out the moment she arrives and telling her you will be back at a certain time. Then leave
Sis: I’ll be over about noon on mother's day.
Karin: Great. Since I get to spend every day with Mom, I’ll get her all ready for your visit, and you can take her to Chez Palace, her favorite restaurant.
Sis: aren’t you coming?
Karin: No this will be your special day. I’ve made other plans. I should be back by 4. (Or whenever the movie is over)
Sis: But, but, but....
Karin: well if that doesn’t work for you, then just give her a call. Bye!