Can ANYBODY RELATE?
Can anyone relate to me?
I am 57yrs of age taking care of my 58yr husband with MS, 76yr mother is early stages of dementia/heart problems/type 2 diabetes, 44yr down syndrome brother that is very self sufficient, but have small issues that can easily frustrate him. I'm the oldest daughter of the 3 children, the other brother in the middle 52yrs doesn't work, lives in small house with his girlfriend, my dad bought & should've rented out, but he lives there free, very disrespectful to both parents & to me now that I'm taking care of mom. Since middle brother is now aware that mother is showing signs of dementia he wants to take advantage of her by convincing her if she don't want to take her meds & eat unhealthy to make her happy & if God wants to take her out that way then let her & special needs brother be happy eating and living the way they want. Oh yeah from time to time take my mom to store and out to eat wherever and put some bills of his in her name to see to her paying them. Just like he put firestick on her tv and let her Direct Tv lapse and cancelled then put wifi acct in his name & my moms as secondary to cover her house and his,,well i found that out and not paying the bill which now mom and special needs brother have no access to watching tv. My husband agreed that I could bring mom & special needs brother to our house to see to them being taken care of instead of going back and forth almost every week to see about mom,,YES I'M ONLY DAUGHTER. At one point I didn't know if I was coming or going,,NO I DON'T WORK ON ANYONE'S JOB either. My husband is a pastor as well so I have to make sure he is where he needs to be making sure he is attending to those responsibilities & I see to him making all his Dr. appts. Since Nov. '23 til this day I might've taken 2 soaks in the tub for relaxation. Mentally I'm good, because when I need to nap I tell everyone it's time to shut down or quiet time for me to rest. My husband is sweet and I'm very gracious he allowing to have my family to stay and agreeing if they need to transition at some point permanently we are trying to figure things out. My other brother has said so much to my mom that she doesn't live at my house and if don't want to go with me don't have to, well stirs up when I have her home to check in there or for her Dr appts there, pay her bills there to keep house functioning & see her friends and then come back with me she kicks up a fuss and well so does special needs brother. Mom is competent enough to know my yadayada brother is no good but that's her child and she wants attention to get what she wants and still knows he will take advantage..she at this point knows she has it but I think she is shameful about it and don't want to have procedures done to have help and to see what stage she's in. YES SHE HAS ME AS her POA over her health, but oohhhhh POA over her WILL is a friend of the family which she did that in her early 60's as an excuse I was not there because I moved away with my husband in his hometown and started new life,,huhhhhh. I at sometimes being pulled by husband for attention & help, taking care of our bills & household necessities, taking care of mom and special needs brother health-well being, etc., moms bills & household issues, etc., dealing with yadayada brother. Someone may ? is your dad around,,my parents got divorced but the thing is if there is a NEED because of my special needs brother, he will do and he is there;give money, food, assist with repairs whatever. Oh my time I have none. I did make my Dr. appt good news I lost a few pounds, A1C went down tremendously only concern is my liver count is little high but no worries there, all other blood work looked good, she just wanted to make sure I get some help with me being only caretaker no matter what the help is. Sometimes I feel like taking mom & brother to their home and let them have their way, just everyone, but I know my mom would be back in the hospital or my yadayada brother would let her die and I would live with guilt and regret. Every time I'm about to budget for a helper something comes up. Didn't even mention the issue of a woman who is my mom's deceased stepfather's daughter coming into my moms life to tryn slip in on the dementia game with my yadayada brother to see what they can do to keep playing against her mind. If there is a spouse out there taking care of your spouse and other family members and can't seem to see the silver clouds yet but know there is better coming,,,,,help me see it coming for me.
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@bigdm79 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I’m glad you found your way to this site. And O, my goodness, how do you keep up with your life and yourself? I’m sure the other members will come along with some tips and advice. They are a very good group!
If you could solve one problem, what would it be?
Thanks for you kindly responding:) My one solved problem would be that everyone not have any health issues, completely healed. It's possible.
in reply to @bigdm79 Does your local county have any programs in place that would provide both you and your family with some support? In CA there are many programs in place for people just like you, and I would encourage you to reach out, if possible. I'm sorry you have so much to deal with all at once. You mentioned your husband is a pastor. Is there anyone from his church that can offer you some respite care?
You cannot fix the world, even though your heart says you are supposed to. You need to take care of yourself first or you are of no help to anyone else. Think about the airplane oxygen mask - put yours on first so you are in condition to help someone else, no matter how much you love them. What about asking for help? Your husband's church folks might be willing to get up a volunteer committee to tackle some of your struggles you would face if you brought your mom into your home. Can your mom afford daily care wherever she lives? You could also threaten to report your brother for elder abuse if he continues to take advantage of your mother and mean it. It worked in our family.