Many of us, myself included, come from a dysfunctional family which adds a lot of weight to the challenges of caregiving. I have read stores on various threads on other topics and decided it would be good to have a thread just for this topic for people to share, vent and discuss.
The idea for this thread originated on the thread named "The Caregiver....How are YOU doing today?"
Detaching oneself from some of the things they say, especially as in your case where you feel it's unleashed issues from the past concerning your family, is key. If you felt as if she wasn't even sure she was talking to you, there's most likely lot's of confusion going on. I think also, one has to assess possibly even under the best of circumstances, e.g., if one didn't have ALZ, we must be careful to what we give merit to. Each person is giving their own interpretation as to what they perceive as truth.
I have made attempts at sharing this with my sister, when she reacts, or becomes emotionally engulfed by some of mom's statements. But in my sister's case she is trying to recapture some moment from the past w/mom, we actually never had, on account of the dysfunction. Mom, was emotionally unavailable. Now that I've grown some, I've analyzed this as, mom couldn't be there emotionally even for herself. So how could she be there for others? Looking at it this way, has helped me to be in a position of the observer of sorts. It really removes you from the equation of being so affected by it all.
Your brother seems quite removed from family situations, and if you say he has not been around for 8 years do you think that talking about these matters are going to clear anything up for you? It's difficult in our family to discuss things, especially with my two brothers. They too, aren't in touch really enough with what is going on with our mother and the ALZ. One is very hyper, so you can't get a word in edge wise with him. Plus, he just wears me out saying hello, how are you, not the listener at all.
The other one, is the extreme opposite, very quiet. They do both call, and show up on holidays. But my sister and me are the ones that deal more directly with mom's care. I know my brother's, and the kind of past issues in our family, are just beyond the realm of any discussion. Besides, I really think men relate to all of this very differently than women do. My sister and me can have these kinds of talks, but we are very close in age and have had lot's of communication throughout the years. I wish you the best, hope some of this helps, Margeaux
Thanks for asking. Sending love to everyone. Cattails.
How are you, husband and your dad doing? I hope all is well. Margeaux
It could be that what your mom told you is not true at all or is a collection of fragments from people she knew years ago, their stories, not hers, mixed in with something she heard in AL or television. Who knows. Even if it's true, it's from the past and you don't have to own it or share it with your brother until you feel you want to, should that day ever come. Give it time and see if your mom ever brings it up again.
By the way, many families have skeletons in their closets. Very sad experiences that were not spoken of inside or outside the family. It's not your legacy or, as Sharynmarie said, your craziness. It's just the human condition.
Think good thoughts and be grateful for the life you have and the many possibilities that lay before you. Walk in the light, release any shame that you carry from the burdens of your family and offer love where possible. Number one, take care of yourself. Hugs, Cattails
Anyway, this is your husband's mom; does he ever experience her alone?
Now I'm aware how delicate this can be, I'm married also, so know about the don't want to aggravate, escalate anything. But could be a good time for you to muster up the courage to tell your husband that you're going to the library, or coffee, anything. Let him watch her by himself. I hear this over and over again, even on this thread how people are married, even some w/children living with them. But it sounds as if the woman in the picture is living all by themselves w/the elderly person. Now of course I'm not talking here about having small children be responsible for an adult or anything of the sort. But if there are any other capable people living in the household, by all means they should also kick in at the very least and give the main caregiver a break. But do not allow this to grow into something bigger. This woman sounds like physically she's doing all right, since you've stated she still can climb stairs at 95 yrs. Just occurred to me, has she been diagnosed for Dementia or ALZ? My best, and don't take the back seat in this, my dear. Love & light, Margeaux
But anyway, it's seem that you have a great attitude in terms of this brother. It's like you see what's before you, and you deal with it. That is totally admirable, and I think very realistic. This is how I try, and I do say try to look at the dysfunction that surrounds me, because if I don't, they can drive me nutty! O.K. going for my second cup of Joe! Margeaux
No they werent coming to remove my mother in law she dont want her she put her into a nursing home in Nov. My husband being youngest & just agreeing with them like his mom was to get therapy they said but we brought her home 20 days later after her begging us to Which My Husband & I had promised her in the hospital anyway This sister and other two siblings agreed come to find out this sister really wanted us to bad because her mom was going to have to be changed to medicaid and that means audit on her which this sister had been spending her money & didnt want that and yes after her moving in and finding that out My husband and his other sister became POA and I never thought to call them myself & the daughter that came with her today went outside with me & our daughters she told me her mom has called them on her & her sister so I am calling THanks I didnt even think of that..My mother in law has althiemers dementia she knows us all. But she had colonostomy surgery n Oct . Then got it reversed Feb. and its been alot on her but This sister has never thought about that its like have her call me ...Then she asked her daughter before they came today to txt me and make sure the other siblings werent here or Home health care Because of your advice I brought her n living room and her therapist came then they came like 20 min later when the girl left she brought me the paper to sign & said my SIL was so rude she left she said soon as she walked in she covered her moms legs with blanket while she was doing leg lifts so she just rather come tom.... wow Turned out okay My husband was in garage where I told him to stay unless he heard me scream he said he was suprised I didnt have to...He stands as He is done with her because of the way she has did there mom...And he isnt as nice as I am but I didnt even look at her Then she went to car & started honking like a nut she is for her daughter and grandaughter to hurry so... thanks for advice deeply appreciated...
SS~ It is life changing taking care of our parents. Your siblings will have to deal with it in the end as you said. My heart goes out to you because when you never get a break, the stress and burnout can wear a person down. I hope you get someone to come in, even if it is just a few hours a couple days a week. It would allow you to leave the house to do something for yourself. Check into adult day care for a couple days a week also.((Hugs)) to you!!
We do no literally take care of her -- she is still capable of taking care of herself. She has no nausea, no constipation, no Depends or pads in her pants, no heart attacks, no strokes (ever in her lifetime), no amputations, no wheel chairs, etc. She goes up and down our stairs. Since she is capable, we let her be as independent as possible. We let her make her own breakfast and we make dinner. During the day she sits, sleeps or just watches me. She has put a wedge in our marriage and I'm ready to divorce my husband because of her. That would make her extremely happy I am sure.
She is narcisstic and knows everything and is right about everything.
I have only touched the tip of the iceberg and telling you a fraction of what has been going on. The situation will never change between her and her son. It dosen't matter to him what I think or say or how I feel about anything. All that matters is that his mother is safe and with us.
I need help in the worst way. I talk to friends, but if they have not experienced this they don't know what I am talking about, so I don't feel they really understand the dynamics of what is going on.
Please help me find help before I lose it completely. It helps so very much to talk to people who really understand where you are coming from.
Thanks and God bless. Judy
Have a good day everyone.
-SS
I'm with ya girlfriend! I have a brother and a sister and neither do anything to help me take care of BOTH my aging Mom and Dad. Dad now in a nursing home but I have to do it all, all the paperwork, the finances, the groceries, the meds, the doctor appts, church, haircuts, shit, the list goes on....I won't bore the rest of you as you've heard my story all too many times before. I've asked for help from both and both said NO! One just wants their money and the other is just lazy....I have days where I hate them tremendously, and other days that I know putting my energy into such negative thoughts is very damaging to me so I "don't go there." It's hard to do that but it's a survival technique. Hang out with us and moan a bit. It feels good!
Luv to all!
-SS
Margeaux~My sis doesn't do 360's, she is however a Polly Anna. She views life through rose colored glasses. As a result it takes a little longer for her to grasp the truth!
So when I arrived, the caregiver had been there all day with mom. My mom suffers from these terrible allergies, and had this for a very long time now, way before ALZ.I
I suffer from the same allergies as my mom. For awhile now I've had to become a food detective of sorts for myself, as I'm trying to address this, if I don't it manifests as bad sinus condition. I've in the past tried alerting my sister to this fact. But she is not one to really follow what I'd consider a healthy eating plan. So what this means is, mom is at her mercy in terms of diet, and of the caregivers. My poor mother had very bad heartburn Saturday evening. She'd eaten some breakfast and a light snack in the afternoon. Before the caregiver left me in charge, she showed me what my sister apparently had bought so that this was to be mom's dinner; I'd just have to heat it up. When I saw what it was, it by no means is something a 91 yr. old woman w/consistent heartburn should eat period. It was completely acidic and had some strong chili sauce on it. Oy vey!! Well mom, slept pretty much into the evening. I started to prepare some millet with a stir fry of vegetables and some tuna. I figured this would be a much lighter dinner for her system to digest. Well it was 730, mom was still asleep, so I ate. She didn't wake up until 8:45, so I thought it would be best for her not to eat at that hour. Besides she was still having heartburn and wasn't hungry. She does take a product I won't mention by name that has aluminum in it, and seems to rely on these pills So right now Im having an issue about the quality of mom's eating. Everything she currently eats is like poison to her system. So when my sister returned and I tried engaging her in a conversation about this, her question to me was whether I'd given her those pills. I don't understand why some people don't address the root of what's happening instead of just reaching for a supposed cure product, that doesn't do that anyway. O.K. have a good evening all. Margeaux
Take care, Margeaux