I'm so frustrated with my life. I'm so alone. I'm the sole caregiver of my Grandmother. Any other "grandchildren" caregivers?

i understand completely what you are going through, I am a caretaker for my 94 year old grandfather, and my Mom and Sister are not willing to help, There is hope I think, just have to take it day by day.

Burned out? Who wouldn't be? You're really had a load. Love the people as we may, there does get to be a limit to what people can do.
I hope that you can find some form of respite,
Carol

Wow...we should be adopted sisters:) sounds like me exactly!! I'm the only child of an only child and have cared for my grandmother since she was 85 and she is 99 on the 27th of August. I have had to take care of her in the community, then living with me, then in the nursing home, then back with me. In between I took care of my mom and my dad and their farm and apartments...can you say burned out?? I know how you feel and I'm giving you a big hug. Maybe we should connect to talk more. I know I feel alone too. At least we would have someone to talk to that can relate. (((HUG)))

Grandchildren seem to be taking on an increasing role in caregiving. One reason is that they have done much of the child rearing. I believe that it's extra hard for you since you're at a time in your life when you truly should be able to have more freedom to map out your future to some degree.

Both of you may want to read this article on grandchildren prompted by a couple of heart breaking notes that I received from young caregivers and also some on the agingcare forum.

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/grandchildren-caring-for-their-grandparents-149490.htm

To grandaughters - your husband should be doing his share of this work. Certainly the rest of the family should be too, but insist on help. Moving an elder into your home is a huge step. Doing so at a presumably young age has got to be harder.

To both of you - you aren't alone. Please keep coming back to the site and posting your thoughts. There is a lot of knowledge in this community. Also, if your grandmothers have any specific ailments such as diabetes or Alzheimer's look to those disease specific sites for education and help.

Keep us posted!
Carol

Hi, I'm taking care of my grandmother in law, her son and two grandchildren want nothing to do with her now my husband and I are living with her in our home. I am the one who's doing all the work. I should have never agree for her to move in with us, and now I am her caregiver it's annoying.

It sounds like Your grandmother lives independently. Do you bathe, cook, clean for her etc? If she doesn't need 24/7 why are you not free to come and go a least a bit? I think you probably a wonderful devoted granddaughter doing everything she can to help, but she probably likes her independence. Sound like you live close enough to have an intercom system between the two properties or how about a granny cam that you can see on your computer. Then there is elder daycare which would get her a little socialization. Maybe you can find yourself a nice part time job to start where you will only be away a few hours. Please take a day off with your family. Dad can come check in for a couple of hours. If you must insist, insist.

Your not alone. I love my Grandmother, but it sucks. I'm 42 next week and she has lived with me for 5 years. I live with frustration and guilt. My Fiance wants to take me for a romantic dinner for my birthday. She is gonna give me the guilt trip because she isn't going. I shouldn't feel guilty because I want to wear heels and not push a wheelchair or change diapers. I'll deal with it's but I work for her 24/7 as she wouldn't have it any other way. She is selfish. See. Your not alone.

I say you are the most awesome grandchild ever! Regardless of the frustration, pain, anger, guilt, and the myriad of other emotions, you are still there, ensuring she is okay. You should get a medal, and the recognition you deserve for doing all you do in such a selfless manner.
I do feel your pain, and have been there, while my four siblings who all lived close, could not be bothered to visit long enough for me to leave for an hour or two. Do you feel guilt like I did for not wanting to be locked down? That was the hardest for me. I found a local support network through my Church family. Many Churches have "visitation" nights(days) where someone qualified comes and stays with your loved one while you have the day or night off. If you attend Church please ask your clergyman. Secondly, now there are a lot of caregiver support groups now who can help us identify and deal with the types of mental anguish, exhaustion, and loneliness we all experience at different levels when we are committed to long term caregiving.
I know you have heard it, but she is truly blessed to have you, and those avoiding her like your dad, need to know what they are missing of her final days, and they will surely carry that regret in to the time when they themselves need to be looked after. Keep your faith strong, and you will be able to get through this. I wish could help more.----Blessings----

I am also a granddaughter caregiver. I get the same felling sometimes. I have 5 brothers and 3sisters, Gram's only surviving son lives in Texas and is now coming up (we live in Ne) once a month for 1 or 2 weeks at a time. Now that it's winter, that will be questionable. Gram is almost 99 and is in pretty good health, just weaker and has short term memory problems. I have "moved in" with her full time, as she can't live alone, I have a family still and want to do things with them. When I ask for help so I can go to an activity, I hear "sorry not today, I have plans!" or some such story! All have offered to help "anytime!". I do get help from my my mom's cousins, one brother, a neighbor, and my 2 adult daughters. But, I get so tired of asking and the SAME people stepping forward! Let me NOT keep them informed though and WATCH OUT!!!! Try some friends (yours and hers)and neighbors, church members, anyone you talk to and relate with on a regular basis. If she has the money pay for a relief caregiver. you can also check with your local office on aging. If she is on Medicaid or your grandfather was a war time vet, each will pay for in home help. Good luck!!! Take a deep breath, relax and things will work out!!!

takcareofgran, your grandmother may not need home health aid type of care but instead Homemaker-Companion care. These people do light housekeeping, fix meals, take the client out to the store or to lunch, they can sit and talk or watch a movie on TV... Basically, they make sure the person doesn't get herself/himself into trouble and they do the laundry for that person, too! They are not as expensive as home health aids and your grandmother may qualify for some state assistance. You should contact your area Agency on Aging for more information.

Good luck!

There are a few things you can do. The first is to get in-home care for your grandma. Since she is still capable of taking care of herself, this care can be companionship for her and relief care for you. You can get away and relax so you don't bring your frustration back when you're with her.

Have you tried Friend to Friend America? It's a national organization of volunteers who befriend seniors. They aren't caregivers, they aren't free transportation; they are just friends/companions. The volunteers are screened.

Another thing you can do is take your mother to activities she enjoys: libraries, knitting groups, pools, charities, etc. Help her build friendships/relationships. It may take some time, but your goal is to get her comfortable enough so you don't have to be with her all the time. She would just need transportation to and from an activity, and there are home care and senior transport agencies that can do that. When you want to take a trip, a home care agency can also offer 24-hour, in-home care.

The last thing is tell your family you're taking a trip, and they need to step up. All they have to do is take turns and spending just an hour with your grandma while you're gone; she'd feel very loved.

OK... your Grandmother, unless she raised you, is NOT your responsibility....... PERIOD.

Hi,I am much older than you but in a similar situation.I care for my elderly mother who I can not leave.She has Dementia and is liable to do anything.Some days she doesn't even know who I am and some days she does.My mother did not raise me but I still had a relationship with her.We were not very close but I tried to keep her involved with the family.I was always told it would fall on me to care for her and they would laugh.I thought it was partially a joke but I kind of knew they were serious.I do everything for her .Including cleaning stool off the floor she tries to rub into the floor boards thinking she is helping.I am often ready to pull my hair out.No one helps me.They say they do not know what to do.If they get as far as staying with her for me ,they do nothing while they are there.I change her diapers ,dress her .I do it all.I am totally alone.Sometimes I just want another voice to speak to me so I can talk to someone that can carry on a conversation.This is a difficult place to be and no one understands unless they have been there.Sounds like you can get out some.I would take advantage of that time.Thank goodness she is not a total care like my mother is .Take advantage of all the time you get away from her.Tell her you have to have some time to do some things.She will be fine.While she can care for herself let her do it.Only take on what you have to.Do not do more than is needed.It is good for them to do for them selves.It makes them feel good.They do not usually like needing to get someone to do things for them.Makes them feel helpless. Let her do for herself and tell her you are there when needed.Check on her thru out the day and do your thing.It will be ok.I am surviving even when I feel like I am not.I have 4 children ,9 grandchildren and 2 sisters and a brother but still get no help.My sister has just been dx with cancer and I will help her too if needed.I would rather say I helped my family than say I did not know what to do.Everyone can learn if they choose to.I am sure your grandmother appreciates the help even if she does not tell you.Some people do not know how to say thank you out loud or to your face.But they think the thought all the time.Good luck to you.I hope you find some things that help you in all these responses.We all will be thinking and praying for you.

Hi

Believe me I know exactly how you feel and my mom being total care/ bed ridden and uncommunicative living at home with me even makes it harder. It get so frustrated. Her SS income always goes to her care and then I add some of mine to that as well leaving me paycheck to paycheck always. If I wanted to hire I sitter for a normal movie night the costs cost of any little evening was 100.00. Finally I decided to bring in a Live-In caregiver and I provide room and board with a biweekly salary and I'm beginning to see the light again. Its been 3 weeks now and I'm trying to work myself back into society, feel so isolated, I get invited to places and end up not going because I don't know what to talk about anymore. Yet I have to so I can find my internal smile again. I truly hope you find your solution. You will be blessed for the love you are giving, just keep on believing that.

I am 42 a caring for my 93 yr old grandmother. My kids,19 and 12, are crammed into a 9X9 room so that my grandma can sleep in her own bed. My partner cant support all of us on his pay, and the government said we make too much to have in home care so that I can work. Whats happening to you isnt fair. One bit. My sister has 3 extra rooms in her house, AND she is a CNA that never had to work...she has one child in school all day, and she stays home to watch reality tv shows and never helps. She lives 10 minutes away. My brother who took my grandmothers house, her car, rent free lives within walking distance, and never helps.Or calls. He kept the car while we had NOTHING to drive her even to doc appointments. So Im sharing to let you know that all families can be cruel,selfish, but that is not who you are, and you cant help it. You need to do what helps you sleep at night,no matter what your choices are. Close yourself off from those who sap your energy (including "dad") and begin to build a support system...my neighbors know to alert me to strangers that come by, noises that sound right, one will even come to the door if I am not home to make sure that gram is okay if I should have to run errands. My own brother and sister dont do that. There are pros and cons to what you are being to your grandmother...just please do not forget that there are pros :)

Hi takecareofgran,

I am also a grandchild caring for my Grandma and I work from home. My stepmom & brother only call to check on her occasionally and visit on holidays. I totally feel you on the burnout factor. Have you considered adult day service? You need and are entitled to breaks because if you do not take care of yourself, you can not take care of her effectively. My Grandmas is 94, has vascular dementia, had a stroke, etc. The adult day care a few days weekly is working well for us because she is getting good care and is engaged in activities while I can get my work done, run errands and get a break. I pray for your strength.

Ask Jesus to help you. Ask for love, joy, peace, & patience. You have to tell your dad that you really have to have some help. Tell him you are getting burned out and that you won't be able to continue unless you at least have a day off once a week and maybe one evening. I understand. I had to move in with my dad, who has dementia, and gave up my life. I had to tell my sister and brother I needed the same. I'm also gonna get life alert for when I have to run an errand.

For me it was different. I had to place my grandma with mild dementia into a personal care home. I gave up college to care for her since neither of her sons would help and my cousin tried to become her POA after my grandma changed it to me since I was the only one balancing high school and her. So I understand how stressful it really is. I say do what you need to do. If you can get social services to join in then do it. You need time for you as well before you burn yourself out completely. I hope things get better. But do tell your father how you feel though. But in a nice way perhaps, but be firm with it. Tell him how you feel, I had to it will help get the weight off of you.

There are always other options. I think that is what Ferris was trying to say. I was so tired of my own sister catering to Mother. It practically made Mother helpless. Now, sis will be dead a year, Dec.15 and Mother is in a NH doing well. If there is no family that can help, there is always other options. BUT, this grandmother's son needs to rescue his daughter and talk to mom about the best options for her.

Amen beecindy

ferris1, I am sorry but reaming her out is not kool. She may not have any options. Her just proclaiming her frustration and stating she is done is not always an option. Yes she is burned out and complaining, that's ok, she needs to vent. I have been there and done that and there isn't always any alternatives that are doable in her location and some people like her dad are NOT a caregiver! I am not someone that usually blasts anyone but you come across as not being very compassionate. She needs advice that is constructive and uplifting!

I was the daughter in the almost identical situation. My brother rarely called or came to visit. I was lucky in the sense that my husband and one daughter helped some. Still mom's 99% care giving was left to me. And she lived with us so it was 24/7. She just passed away at 96 in July. I miss her deeply but I do understand the not having a life and now that she is gone I struggle with what the next chapter of my life looks like since my whole world was turned upside down and sideways when she passed. I am struggling with mourning her and also morning what defined me. My one suggestion is get someone to do respite care, there are those services in most areas, check with a nursing home or in home care service. Then take some time to do something for yourself. Even if its go get groceries and take time to breath. Caregiving isn't easy but I am glad that mom was kept with family and at home. Anytime you need to talk I am here!

you are burned out to the enth degree....i became very resentful toward my 87 yr old dad. i would tell you my story but lack time right now but my heart pains for you. I agree with the life alert AND leaving a note daily keeping her abreast of your itenerary to a degree....and a number to reach you...just so she feels 'connected'. God bless ya

Then stop being a martyr and tell your father you will no longer be her caregiver. If she is able-bodied and just doesn't drive, have meals on wheels deliver food, and you tell everyone you are done. I am assuming you have a brain with which to think and get yourself out of this situation. You are the only one chaining yourself to this situation. If you suddenly died, someone else would step in. So keep your sanity, get your own life, and wish her well.

This is such a difficult situation! If your Dad " just isn't a caregiver" (who of us is??) perhaps he could pay for someone to come stay with her so you can get away every now and then. My 71-year-old sister is in the same state--she isn't bad enough for adult daycare or a visiting nurse's aid, but she is apt to leave the stove on, forget to feed herself, or try to set a fire in the woodstove with disastrous results.

My wife and I care for my MIL. She has dementia. When we leave her alone I give her a note. It tells her the schedule, when people will be home, when she can eat, where her lunch is located, not to let the pets out, not to answer a knock on the door, etc. She reads it repeatedly and it helps her better understand her situation.

It sounds like your grandmother does not have dementia. Perhaps a note with the schedule and a quick "how are you doing? I am off to work/store/school/etc. would work. By "work" I do not mean "be exactly what she wants or what others say you should do". I mean "meets her basic needs and creates appropriate boundaries for yourself.

Vacations and other time away can be tricky. It sounds like you have some options which may not work as well in our situation. A non-medical person to sit with her for 2-3 hours per day each day you are gone might be worth the investment on your part. Of course I assume she at least receives Social Security so might she has some resources she could invest in her own care?

Thanks all, Yes she already has a alert button. I dream of taking long weekends with my kids and/or husband. We live in the country. I moved her from where she lived so she has no friends here. I swear my neighbors avoid me because they are afraid I will ask them to check in on my Granny. She is ok alone 80%... but it's the 20% of the time where she does things that are dangerous. She needs daily "visual" contact. When she had a stroke 20yrs ago she still made dinner that night! So someone has to check on her. I've run outta "I owe you ones!". Tired of being trapped. She needs just enough help that I can't leave and not enough to warrent a living arrangement change. Thank you all for letting me vent.

Is she able to take care of herself for the most part? She's lucky to have you. I also second the life alert if it's an option. My grandmother had one. She could use it to get 911 out to her house and it would also alert my brother who lived next door to her.

Bless you both!