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My mother-in-law (MIL) has had her cognitive abilities decline a bit over the last year. My wife is even more concerned than ever now and that puts a lot of pressure on me. I try to get the kids and cousins to get involved in the companionship and talk to the MIL, but no one seems to care. How can I get the rest of the family to care? Everyone is remote from the MIL and maybe visits once a year. I know that's not enough given the current situation. The MIL uses a flip-phone and email sparingly, but people don't care enough to spare the 4-5 minutes a week to show the love. Am I the only one feeling this sadness? What tools do you use to get more to speak with Grandma or your senior in your life?

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You can't, so instead you look for paid or volunteer companions and try to find low cost or free activities at the local seniors centre or perhaps an adult day care.
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There is nothing you can do or say to get others more involved. Trying to guilt trip by saying things like "she would love to hear from you" will do nothing but push them further away. It really has to be their own desire.

Or assisted living so she will have others to spend her days and time with.

How old is MIL? You are too busy? Others probably are as well.
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What a nice SIL. I am afraid that we have raised our children with little compassion, Parents working, kids involved in extra curricular activities and school stuff, just no time for volunteering where they learn some empathy. Also, we have made our children the center of our lives instead of part of it. We have an entitled generation. Our world is too fast paced.

All you can do is suggest. I agree maybe you should try a Senior Center or Daycare. Just so MIL has some interaction. If she is low income, Medicaid may pay part or all of it.
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You say that everyone is remote from the isolated MIL. That’s sad. And you’re busy. Probably they are too. If you’re concerned maybe it’s time to move MIL closer to you where it would be easier to be more involved? Note I didn’t say “move in”, just closer. Maybe it would be easier to visit and you could keep a watchful eye on her. Would that be easier/closer for the other relatives to visit as well? If so great, but still don’t count on them. Uninvolvement is something many families have to reconcile with.
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Sounds like MIL may need more than telephone calls if she is in cognitive decline.

So who's going to step in and move her closer to them? (And of course if MIL hasn't been declared mentally incompetent, no one is going to be able to maker her do anything.)
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Thank you all for your support! I have tried getting the MIL on Facebook with an iPad but that iPad is now abandoned. I have seen some other "social" tools to get her more connected with everyone else in the family. I'm trying to prioritizing bonding with family over companionship from a caretaker/volunteer companion or random seniors in the Senior Center.

Has anyone tried any of the following?

Grandpad: https://www.grandpad.net/

Luminary: https://www.luminaryconnect.com/ref?=aging

Do you think these would work?
What worked/didn't work with anyone else? Keep in mind, my MIL is hesitant about technology and always thinking she's going to get "hacked"...
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Some older people have embraced new technology and it is a wonderful way for them to stay connected however I think the vast majority find it confusing and because of that, like your MIL, are distrustful. There is also the problem of her declining cognitive function, even those who are very familiar with tech will lose the ability to use it as their cognitive abilities decrease, even to the point of becoming unable to use once familiar devices like the tv remote & cordless phone.
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