Follow
Share

It is very high end and has a lot of services. She is wearing my brother and sister down. Calling them in the middle of the night for minor emergencies that staff can take care of. Right now we believe it is her fear more than anything but seems to only want family members. They have tried to reason with her ...how they want to help, but they cannot in reality be at her beck and call 24-7. They have spouses, work and children. They are torn between being loyal to mom in her waning years and balance in their lives. Cognitively she seems ok. How do we communicate with her?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
If I were your brother and sister, I'd let mom know that emergencies in the middle of the night should be handled by the staff at the facility - they're the closest for immediate care. Then I'd shut my phone off or not answer her calls until she gets the idea that night-time calls (or even daytime calls beyond a set amount) are to be handled by staff.

I would question whether she's really "cognitively OK". If she's always been like this, then maybe she's just selfish/oblivious. But if this is a new behavior, then I'd say she's showing some cognitive decline where reasoning with her may not help. How old is she? My mom is 95 and wouldn't think of calling me in the middle of the night for minor emergencies. So I think something else might be going on with your mom. Has she always been high maintenance, or is this a new behavior for her?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

What happens if you don't answer the phone? I think I would turn off all the phones, except the number she doesn't have, if there is one.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

"Mom, you have staff for that now". My mother would call us when she was in Independent Living with issues about things that needed fixing. We pointed out how much she was paying a month for all the help. But it does sound as though her cognitive skills are declining.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter