I feel guilty asking this question, but has anyone regretted their decision to let a family member move in? I think I made a mistake.

I used to have someone living with me but he wasn't elderly, just homeless. What was supposed to be two weeks turned out to be two years or so and it was wearing on me. I started contemplating how to get him to move but the more I thought about the situation the more I realized there was really not much I can do other than save up enough money to pay him to get out and get his own place. The more I thought on this the more it seemed to be the only way to get rid of him because having the stuff of two people who have the same amount in one small place for one person was just too much. It got so bad I found myself having to climb over stuff just to get through the house. When it got that bad I had to start setting some stuff to the curb but it was only stuff that was in the walkway and making a hazard. It was pretty much his stuff because there was really no where else to go with it and it was definitely a safety risk

Dealing with a hoarder and dealing with a family member on the downslide are two separate things altogether. We are all sorry about your homeless hoarder you talk about endlessly, but this is AgingCare.com. I don't know why you keep writing about something unconnected with the aging issues....now, just about everyone who engages in caregiving eventually regrets it, regrets it deeply. But when one does go into it with optimism and enthusiasm at first, even so, things will eventually get so so so much worse - and it is important to think ahead of what to do when it gets unbearable. Look into options and do the legal things (POA, will made, how to get going on Medicaid and nursing homes, etc.) and don't wait till you reach the point of utter despair and don't know what to do. That's what happened to me. 'Oh, Mom just needs a little help.'.....Three years later, I was at the point where I sincerely did not want to wake up in the morning any more, and no one at all to help or even give me some advice.

18 years in-- full care-- and until recently -- a full time practicing nurse. I'm much to tired to respond..... I'm exhausted. Good Luck and God Bless and keep you all, as you all find what is best for YOU...... and there's only one YOU!!!! And YOU MATTER! If you don't already have a good, strong understanding that YOU matter, ------ Get One---- and if YOU are a believer of Christ, get to know him -- BETTER!!! READ IT for YOURSELF, for complete understanding. YOU need it --- My decision would not have changed -- but I would have done many things differently!

Face your guilt and tell it to --- back the heck up!!!