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My son helps. My husband has Parkinson's disease and congestive heart failure. The stress on me is mounting up. His son and daughter, with whom I have a good relationship said when he came out of the rehab center after a broken hip that they could not commit to 2 hours a week to relieve me. My own son comes over once a week and when there is an emergency is the one to get them mobilized, which causes tension. How do I get them more involved and realize that this is a whole family situation.

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I don't believe that you can get them involved. It probably makes them uncomfortable to see their dad in that condition, let alone do hands on things for him. I am just trying to think of their side of this.

Perhaps they are just as wore out from life's stresses, as you are - or they have young families and full time jobs and a house.

But, one thing to consider is, what will happen if he outlives you? I encourage you to make those arrangements now. My sister was a caregiver to our mother and mother outlived her. (By the way, my Mother is healthy and happy in a nursing home and my sister died trying to keep her out of one.) Sorry, to start in on my story. Good luck. I agree that you need some help. Can you hire someone?
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The stress on you must indeed be mounting up. In your place I think I'd go back to the rehab team and ask them for continuing help at home: did nobody mention any respite or other kinds of assistance when he was discharged? If services like that are available, grab them with both hands rather than lean on the youngsters.

You don't say how old your son and stepchildren are; but I assume they're all adults, so I further assume they're either employed or have families of their own. While 2 hours a week is not enough relief for you, I can imagine that for them it's too much - not the '2 hours' bit, but the 'commitment' bit. You can't oblige them to be helpful, you know.

This is a tricky diplomatic situation, and one you have to handle at a time when you must be very anxious, sad and tired to start with. I do sympathise, truly.

What about the good ol' family conference, ideally combined with a nice lunch or dinner? The aim would be not to establish a timetable for them to keep, but as you say to consult and involve them. You can air subjects like respite care, perhaps day centre activities for later on, relief for you during the week and at weekends - let them come up with suggestions. Also this would be a good time to inform and educate them (gently) about what path their father's health is likely to follow.

Above all, let them show their father that they care about him; and let all three siblings feel part of a family unit. Softly softly catchee monkey, if we're still allowed to say that nowadays?
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As an adult child, let me guess that they are involved, they are talking among themselves and they are waiting for a permission from you to get him to a place with 24/7 professional care. Are you willing to let them?
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I don't think you can make them do anything. If they aren't willing, and they seem united in that mindset, then you have to plan without them. There are care givers available here in suburban Chicago for $22 an hour. There are adult daycare centers here for $57/day 7:30 am 'til 5:30 pm; incontinence not a problem. You can do one day a week or five...whatever.

If I were you, I'd look at it this way: if you have enough money to pay a caregiver, it's money well spent. Yeah, we hate to spend it; but it's far less expensive to give yourself some respite time than it is if YOU end up in the hospital and your husband has to go to a nursing home.

One of the things you REALLY need to do is talk to an elder law attorney so that your assets can be best protected, assuming you have some. If you don't, then Medicaid will step in and provide services once you get accepted on the program.
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jacksnappy, maybe the children feel their Dad needs professional help, and the children aren't trained to help someone who is recovering from a broken hip plus Parkinson's disease and congestive heart failure. I know I wouldn't know what to do if it were my Dad. I know there is no way I could lift him, or even do work around their house.... my parents would need to hire someone.

If the grown children lived right down the street, maybe they could commit to some time. But if they live across town, you have to take in commute time, and that could add an extra hour of time... making it 3 hour commit time.

Depending on the grown children's ages, they could have still have children at home that need their attention plus full time work, and yard work to contend with on the weekends, etc... or if they are older, they could have their own age decline issues.
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I'm glad you have given them an opportunity to help. That is important and they shouldn't feel shut out. OK, they "can't" commit to 2 hours a week. Could they help out with specific things now and then? "We are going to the science museum next Wednesday. We'll use the wheelchair. It would be helpful to have someone go along. Would you be able to do that?" Unless/until you get a clear message that they don't want to be bothered with anything, keep presenting opportunities occasionally.

Accept your son's help. Tell him how much you appreciate his help.

Now, whether you were childless, had seven helpful children, or are estranged from the rest of civilization, you need help. You need to get regular breaks. You need to be able to go to your room and read or nap and have someone else look after your hubby for a few hours. You may get some occasional help from your stepchildren, but it does not sound like you can depend on this regularly. So take matters into your own hands and make other arrangements to get what you need.

Adult day health programs can be awesome. In-home help can make a huge difference. Arranging respite care for several days may help prevent burnout.
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