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I took care of our Mother in my home for 8 years, with a sitter while I worked a full time job. Siblings only stopped by when they had nothing else to do. All at my expense, no problem!
My oldest sister is 80 and was living in assisted living, a bad situation. She agreed that she wanted to move in with me, I had plenty of room. I visited her every day the year at AL, other sister visited 3 times in a year.
My son (my only child) lives with me since my husband passed a few years ago.
My health is actually worse than my sisters and I’m 78 years old. The youngest sister is not a hands on person, for no one! I’m the middle girl!We made the move, putting her things in storage, that she didn’t need. The other sister insisted on taking everything to Goodwill, but all her furniture are beautiful antiques. I was the one having to do all the work so I stored them.
After a few weeks, with me getting only 3 hours of sleep each night, things started changing. She became verbally abusive, throwing her plate of food at me during meal time, getting up during the night to cook or wash clothes. She would turn the stove on and go back to bed.
I had to lock all medication up because she would take anything she could find. She would run into my fur babies with her walker…you don’t mistreat my animals!
She was verbally abusive to my son…just horrible. She would put her wet diapers anywhere, hide them! My son would always take them to the outside waste bin when he was aware of the need.
Finally, dealing with my illnesses my doctor ordered me to bedrest to get off my feet and legs. That was impossible!I was allergic to the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccines and Booster in 2021 so I have many side effects that I have/am dealing with. I also have Asthma and CLL. So, her health is much better than mine. Her main problem is she falls too often to live alone.
The ending came in October of this year. She fell 3 times in 2 days, calling EMS to transport her. She was getting her diabetic insulin out of the refrigerator and taking it without testing sugar. I’m the one in charge of meds but she was doing this at night. I would find her insulin in her bedroom after the fact. The last call for help, she was admitted for 3 weeks. I told my youngest sister that I could no longer take care of the older sister. My doctors were beginning to get concerned with my health and my Primary Doctor told me that he did not approve of me being a caregiver. He said I was the one who needed someone helping me.
Now, my older sister is in a nursing home, arranged by the younger one. Neither are speaking to me! They rarely answer a text, if they answer it’s with one or two words.
I invited both to meet me for lunch last week for the youngest sister’s birthday. I had a nice gift, like always and paid for the meals. Birthday tradition! Worst birthday luncheon I’ve ever experienced!
My heart is broken!
When our Mother died, everyone nominated me to be the Family Manager…an impossible position to fulfill! Mother’s last words to me were “Please keep the family together.” That is another impossible task!
My Mother died in my home while my husband and I held her hands and I held her close while my husband was praying. One month later my husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and I was his full time Caregiver for the next 4 years.
I’m not patting myself on the back and certainly not asking for sympathy from anyone. I’m just hurting inside!
I’m sitting at my breakfast table at 11:31 AM, it’s still 44 degrees outside and I’m still in my PJ’s. I’ve been up since 5:30 when my son left for work. I’m usually dressed by 7:00, with makeup and the works. I haven’t slept in 2 nights because of the pain in my legs (muscle disease from Pfizer) and because I miss the phone calls, text, and visits with my sisters.
I just feel lost in a world that I’m usually very active in. How do I manage these long winter days without my sisters. But I’m tired of being taken advantage!

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It sounds as though this has been complicated and rather toxic relationship for some time, and that the dynamics have always been a bit troubling.
I hope that you have good friends to take up some of the slack. If not you may consider, if there is one, attending a local senior center to find companionship. One near me serves free or pay-what-you-can lunch, blood pressure checks for free, games for those who wish to spend the afternoon playing, watching movies on TV or chatting. I hope you will find the same nearby.
If you are a believer, and have a church I would see your pastor about programs.
Try your local library. Mine not only has reading clubs, but knitting groups.

This isn't uncommon, your loneliness, and if it is an option you may consider gathering finances and assets and checking out local ALF. There is a lot opportunity for companionship there. I wish you the best.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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You find some friends somehow. I understand that they aren't the same as sister-friends, but you may be surprised when you find people you like just because you have things in common, not because you're blood-related (which I sometimes think is vastly overrated)

Now for some brainstorming for yourself: Do you have old friends that you haven't seen for a long time due to all your caregiving? Look them up and have phone conversations, which could lead to shared activities. Is there anyone in your neighborhood who looks like they might be fun and interesting? Call and invite them over for a chat.

It's up to you, isn't it? Good luck!
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Reply to Fawnby
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It is perfectly okay to get dressed later in the day.
You had a routine, now you are free to change it, even stay in your p.j.'s
all day. You need some time to heal; and adjust to your new role whatever you find that to be. Whatever you enjoy is open.

In fact, you can return to bed and put a heating pad on your legs. Catch a few more hours of rest. Then, a bath or warm shower will also help your leg pain.

It is in no way your responsibility to keep the family together. At the same time, estrangement from family, especially sisters, can bring a heartache that prevents you from getting well. So you will need to try extra hard to accept they are not speaking to you at this time. Let them miss you awhile, and remember the phone works both ways.

You can and will be active again, it may be in your best interest to find some new friends who know that giving is reciprocal in any relationship. Your gifts this year can go to others who may be more grateful to have them. If there is something you have wanted or needed for a long time for yourself, get that for yourself.

That is what you do.

What you feel about it all can change, over time. I get that you are tired of being taken advantage of and are feeling alone. Stand your ground, stop offering yourself.

Connect with some online exercises and later go to a group exercise class at your nearest senior center. Your feelings will follow your body as you get out more and more in the coming New Year.

In the meantime, start a homemade soup that your son might like if he returns home after work. Recipes can be yours, or many winter soups are online. Freeze what you don't use.

Apologies if nothing I have offered is helpful to you.
You will find solutions of your own soon. It may take some time to understand what has happened to you, and know it is not your fault. You gave and gave, and now it is your time.

"No one" is speaking to you?
I have learned in cognitive therapy that this could be "all or nothing thinking".
Is there anyone speaking to you? How about your son?
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MG8522 20 hours ago
I felt soothed just reading this lovely advice. GeorgiaGirls, I hope you will too.
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Think of it this way. Thanks to your younger sister arranging the nursing home for your oldest sister (where she should have been, or in memory care, years ago), you are now free to recreate your life in whatever way you want. You don't need to rely on them for your social life. Just because your mother said keep the family together, doesn't mean the family wants this, for whatever reason. So don't expect your sisters to give back. Find others who will appreciate you for yourself, not for what you do for them.

You've spent years and years doing everything for others. Now, do for yourself! You are worthy, and you deserve it! Are there old friends who you haven't had time to get together with because of all the caregiving? Get in touch with them and catch up. Or join a group or two that you're interested in to meet some new friends. Go to movies or museums or concerts, even if by yourself. Get medical massages to help with your leg pains. Schedule some physical therapy. Or take a water exercise class for seniors. Volunteer for something you care about. Maybe even a cruise for seniors?

Maybe a low dose of an antidepressant would help. Just think of things you would enjoy that you haven't been able to do, and start doing them. Let us know how it goes, and how you're doing.
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Reply to MG8522
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It sounds to me your older sister has Dementia. No normal person acts the way she did. I am 76 and no way would I take any of my siblings into my home. I am the oldest by 7 and 11 years.

You have done enough. You cared for a mother and husband. You have a right to sit back and enjoy what life you have left. Your sisters are showing no empathy for your health problems. Maybe mad because you can no longer do for them. They expected you to always be there for them. I will bet your a people pleaser and you get nothing back for that. Not that we should expect but a little something saying "thank you for all you do" would be nice. Have your sisters ever taken you out to lunch. Here's a quote from Jamie Curtis I wrote down...

"People aren't pleased when you stop People Pleasing"

Its not you, its them. They have relied on you way too long. Your are old too. Hate to say it but at 76 I have to keep telling myself when people see me they see an old lady. Do people hold the door for me because they are being courteous or they see an older lady. I am sure the small kids next door see an old lady. Your sisters need to realize that you have health problems that now keep you from doing for them. They are selfish if they don't see that. Continue to send them cards for special occasions but realize, we don't always get back what we give. I am a giver and will continue to be so because it makes me happy, but it would really be nice if once in a while I got back.
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