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Let them be angry. They *will* get over it. You must defend this boundary. They are angry that you have one. Tell them if they think it's such a swell idea, they should lead the way and do it themselves.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Did I go through this with family!
My cousin who is a few years younger than me, had it in her head that I should uproot my life and become my aunt's caregiver. Every time I looked, she was texting me asking me if I could come and stay with aunt and "help out". I live out of state. Mind you, she was not doing any caregiving, except making excuses why she could not and also criticizing me and questioning everything I did do for aunt. She even suggested we make up a schedule to take turns to care for aunt, but then threw in that she has a family and could only visit aunt for one day a week for an hour, while she expected me to move in with her. She said aunt did not want strangers (caregivers) in her house, so suggested it should be family. (Me).
I got out of a tangled web. I stopped coming down because gave an inch, they all wanted a mile.
They are ALL angry with me because I set boundaries for myself. Aunt has her caregiver, and I am no longer the solution to the problem.
I no longer hear from any of them. I did text cousin last year to see how aunt was doing, and got a short response. "She's doing fine".
I don't care that they are angry. I have a right to have a life just like they do, and so do you. They're angry? Oh, well. Too bad, so sad. (Not!)
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Reply to Tiredniece23
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Jenny10 Jan 15, 2026
Truth is dear- you can’t please all of the people all of the time so the answer is please yourself
others don’t mind you are tired
others don’t actually care if it makes you ill as long as they’re ok
pull up the ladder jack I’m ok

time to look at what options are available to your aunt
can she afford to go into care
maybe her doctor or charity can help

as for your selfish siblings
It looks like you all are going to fall out
you state I am living xx place -aunt lives xx place
I therefore cannot provide the help you are asking and me uprooting my life is not an option so kindly don’t bring it up again - it’s not happening

if they’re not open to other forms of help then tell them to call in health people and get her assessed and tell them no one’s available -
charities might be able to advise options
whatever- it was very disrespectful to assume your life is not as important as theirs - if they’re can’t be reasonable I would cut off contact
youre not here to be bullied or made the sacrificial lamb for them
I wouldn’t have any further conversations if they’re only suggesting selfish options that benefit themselves
your life matters as well
(5)
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My question is, how old is sister? How old are you?

I am 76 and other than my husband, I am not caring for anyone else. And I have told him if he gets stubborn, he will be placed.😊 I cared for my Mom with Dementia for 20 months and found out I was not a caregiver and placed her in Assisted Living. Best thing I ever did. She had the freedom there that she did not have in my home.

If you do not want to care for your sister, thats OK. Its a hard job and your life will not be your own.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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One of my siblings was constantly annoyed with my decisions when I was helping my dad. My help was given as I could, when I could, and never demanded. For the unreasonable sibling I highly recommend ignore and delete, they both work well. Don’t ever feel you must justify your actions, you’re an adult doing what’s best for you and most likely your parent.
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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That is a shame. But as they must know, there are many times in life we are angry. Ask them to practice the serenity prayer to help themselves understand there are simply some things in life they've no control over, and this is one of them.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Why won't they do it?
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Reply to SamTheManager
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Hold your ground. Don't be guilt-tripped. There are always other solutions. Have peace in your decision, and trust that this will blow over with your siblings.
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Reply to MG8522
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Oh well. They'll get over it.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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notgoodenough Jan 10, 2026
Or not. But that's THEIR problem.
(9)
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juhlgold, welcome to the forum. One thing I ran into when my parents needed help around the house, was that I was also a senior myself.


One thing I asked my parents that when the time came for them to hire a caregiver would they want someone who was in their 60's? Someone who hated to cook? Someone who was limited on driving? Someone who wouldn't be able to pick them up if they fell? Of course they answered "no" to each question. Then I told them I would be that caregiver. I think it helped them realize that I wasn't a teenager anymore.
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Reply to freqflyer
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Siblings like this are why God put an off button on my phone, gave me legs to walk, and provided a car to drive away. You don’t have to tolerate their anger. My siblings don’t think I do the right thing for my mom but many years ago my parents gave me the responsibility because they trusted me to handle things; so it is not care by committee. You do what you are willing to do and they can do the same!
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Reply to Lovemom1941
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