I have a mother who lives near me in a condo and 2 siblings who don't help much. Mom doesn't drive. What should I do?

What would you do if you were an only child? Insist Mom hire some help? Do it all cheerfully yourself? Do it, but set limits such as one errand run per week plus groceries every other week?

You might as well hehave like an only child in this regard. There are articles on here about how to get siblings to help, but from what I've read of the real caregiver situation, that is a long shot.

Don't tell her what to do. Just tell her what you are going to do, such as run errands Thursday afternoon -- Anything you want me to do while I'm out? Whether it is your duty or not, you are helping her. She should say Thank you, not Do more. But it is not your place to teach her manners. You are in charge of your behavior, not hers.

I don't know whether your sibs are thoughtless louts or have their own issues with duty/love/exploitation. I think I would tend to resent them, too, but really, they are entitled to work things out in their own ways. Do what you feel is "your share" and let Mother be the one to either get them to help or make up for it in some other way. That "other way" can't be dumping their share on you, because you are setting boudnaries about what you will do, regardless of what anyone else does, right?

Tough issues. Good luck to you!

I often resent my siblings.
I have my 83 year old grandmother who has dementia living with me. My mother had a stroke in 2010 and somehow I got my grandmother. One sister lives in TX and the other sister comes and picks my grandmother up every other weekend and nothing more. My mother lives in a convalescent facility and I visit her during my lunch hour. My relationship with my boyfriend has become extremely strained (oh did I mention his 14 year old daughter had to come stay at our house).
We pay a caregiver to come from 9 - 5 Monday through Friday. I get off at 4:30 each day. I have to rush home to change her and cook dinner.

I AM TIRED. Most days I cry from fear that I will end up like my mother.
I am urgently in search of an overnight senior care center so I can go on vacation that doesn't include doctor appointments or last minute sick caregiver days.

How about making a calendar for your mom to fill in who helps her do what on what days she needs/expects that help? Maybe seeing in written down will make her realize how much she expects from you and how little from your sisters. It could also make your sisters realize you are stuck with the greatest share of taking care of Mom. Invite them the day your mom makes up the calendar. Write what is expected on the days and do not deviate from that unless someone gets hit by a bus! Come with your own calendar with days on it you are not available. Do not give in if they call and say they can't make it when their responsibility days come up. Tell them to call your mom and they'll have to work it out with her. Make that a rule upfront. Your mom is not handicapped! She just doesn't drive. My mom lives alone in a condo, too, but she has some serious limitations. Without my help and my younger sister's, she would be in assisted living and not in her own home. My mom has a calendar and we keep it updated. She lets me set all appointments because I am the one who drives her everywhere. So far, our arrangement works for all of us. My sister and I have promised never to be upset with each other because we are in this together. I think Mom is enjoying some quality end of life days. I won't say there aren't times when Mom and I have conflicts, but I am learning how to deal with those times. This site really helps!

Keep in mind that snarky responses will not shorten your life expectancy. They won't even ruin your day if you don't let them. You didn't take her shoe shopping. She was annoyed. You both survived, right? Making sure that Mother is never annoyed is not your main goal in life, after all.

Perhaps you could relax a bit that overwhelming need to please your mommy, from childhood. Obviously I don't mean be mean to her. Just treat her as you do adult friends. Sometimes you can do them favors, sometimes you can't. And all parties thrive on mutual respect.

My mom has Alzheimers and I live with her and provide most of her care. We recently went through a period of she wouldn't sleep unless I slept with her. Well I can't sleep with anyone else in my bed (with the exception of my dog!) and I was getting up more tired than when I went to bed. Finally I had to lay down some boundaries which is hard when it's your parent, but necessary for you to keep your sanity and your life.

HOW DO I GET HELP FROM MY BROTHER WITH MY MOM'S CARE HE ONLY LIVES 40 MINUTES AWAY. IT IS ALL ONE ME AND I AM BURNT OUT COMPLETELY!

Not in your spot right now, but I think I'd start with a little lunch for you & your sisters. Make a schedule out with all of you doing something. NO backing out unless one of the others take over. Yes, it's hard. Hard for everyone including mom. Mom need so to know YOU have a life also. Some days she will be alone. OR she can go to a senior respite place to visit with other folks like her. You need to take a stand and take some control over your life. What would they do if you moved out of town/state? A friend's mom was demanding and my friend did go overboard with her mom, and finally realized she was monopolizing her life until she didn't have one. She told her she'd be by on a certain day of the week, she'd call before she went there to get her list of needs, so she could deliver it in one trip. YOU can do it, if you really want to do it. You have to speak up for yourself. If they don't want to do it, make it clear you are a once a week woman, and if mom needs help she can seek it or wait for the day you get there. Tough love, but it will make you feel better about yourself. Set limits. God bless & hugs!

Unfortunately we can't make other people do the right thing. My mother moved in with me, the youngest sibling, and two of the older siblings went ape. One threatened to sue me, both try to find out about the will, and both have threatened her with no visitation or what one called, "no more treats." So, I have two siblings who are punishing my mother and I by refusing to help and one of two is refusing to ever come to our home to see her now. Once I gave up trying to fix the relationships I was alot happier and I started relying more on friends and neighbors. I don't have time for their nonsense and I'm not interested in their petty feelings or childhood angst. Not my job! Pink Roses stick to the basics and hang in there. You will have a special crown in Heaven for all that you are giving. Ask your brother to help and if he doesn't then move onto other people who are willing to give without receiving.

When my mother was in early stages of dementia. No driving etc. I found a women's group at a local church that was willing to pick her up once a week. I found someone to drive her to church, so I just took her out to lunch and to the store after church. I hired a nursing student to hang out with her 4 hours once a week in the middle of the week. She was told ask for errands and if there were no errands to go out an play or get ice cream. Mom pretty soon figured out that fun was better then errands and used that time well to see something new.