Siblings don’t seem to care

Posted by alzdaughter @alzdaughter, Aug 29 12:37pm

Long story short mom has late stage Alzheimer’s. Dad had a fall and is in a rehab/nursing home for the last few years …prior to his fall. I moved back home to help him care for mom. I have two brothers one does visit my dad once or twice a week the other does nothing Sometimes and I do mean very periodically. I just need to let my brother know what’s going on with Mom especially since she is in late Alzheimer’s but for the most part he ignores my phone calls. I know I made the decision to move to help my dad, but I did not make the decision to have it all fall on me. I’m just amazed that neither one of my brothers seem to care. And I am very disappointed that when I do reach out, for a listening ear he won’t pick up the phone or call me back. I feel like I am in this world all alone and obviously I am.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

@verol65

My most sincerely condolences to you, @alzdaughter !

I have come to realize that lots of families (maybe a majority of families) find themselves in a similar situation as the one you were in with your mother.

For the past ten years and a half, my husband and I have been caring for my mother-in-law, who's Alzheimer was very mild and progressing very slowly at first, until a fall in August 2022 seemed to provoke an accelerated deterioration. We sacrificed our garage and part of our garden to build her an appartment, and it has changed the look of our house, which has affected its market value.
My husband has 1 sister and 4 brothers (the eldest died of a heart attack at the end of June this year). His sister lives 500 miles from us, but she calls her mom every day and tries to visit at least every three to four months. The brothers live near, but are very absent. The 2 eldest haven't visited nor called in years; the eldest died without having spoken to his mother in the past 6 years at least. We celebrated her 90th birthday at a restaurant this year. They were invited. They did not even answer the invitation. The 2 youngest have been more or less present this year, because I had to have a complicated surgery with a two-week hospitalization and bed rest for a month afterwards, and my sister-in-law forced them to be a little bit present. They alternate to bring her lunch on most Sundays, if reminded. They serve her her lunch and sit in an armchair watching their phone while she eats; they don't converse with her. I know conversations with my MIL do not make sense most of the time, but she likes to be treated like a regular person.

At first, I was very upset that my husband's borthers didn't help and had forgotten their mother. Now, I really don't care anymore. It's a matter between them and their conscience.

I hope you are at peace now, knowing you gave your all to care for your mother. Big hug.

Jump to this post

Thank you and thank you for showing loving kindness by caring for your mother in law. It helps my heart to know that in spite of the meanness and cruelty we hear about daily, kindness exists. I know what you’re going through isn’t easy but it’s definitely important, needed and worth it

REPLY

…we lose so much…leaving only the echo of love…sometimes thats enough…

REPLY
@alzdaughter

Thank you and thank you for showing loving kindness by caring for your mother in law. It helps my heart to know that in spite of the meanness and cruelty we hear about daily, kindness exists. I know what you’re going through isn’t easy but it’s definitely important, needed and worth it

Jump to this post

Thank you!
Virtual hug!

REPLY

sorry you have to find your support elsewhere. You don't know what's going in in someone else's life at the time. And some avoid being around illness & death, even if its their loved one.

REPLY
@nathandavid

Hey, some people are like your siblings. My brother acted exactly like yours when both Mom and Dad were declining until they passed. He is only 15 months older than I am. I am a retired Physician but was working throughout all this and took it all upon myself. He did nothing except some financial matters for them. Mom and Dad would ask about my brother, I would say I dont know or I'd text him and have him call them which he did and of course they'd be so happy. It actually made me happy as well. He never saw either of them prior to them passing, he will live with this forever if he even cares. I have cut him out of my life. I have prayed about it many timers and I'm done. I am sure you have talked with your siblings about this but I pray actually that it will help. I know how hard it is.

Jump to this post

I think you were amazing! That was alot to do. Emotionally and tge toll it has on us caregivers. Kudos to you for doing the right thing. Most all of us has a sibling who is not meant to be a caregiver. Empathy and love are so important.

REPLY

If you can afford it the best thing for your parents may be a good assisted living facility. Then visit your parents when you want and don't give another thought to your brother's actions or inactions. I kept my siblings updated on my parents but sometimes they never replied. They were well cared for all their life in every way by my parents and I would expect more but I can only control myself. Assisted living was the best thing for everyone. It was sort of like a holiday resort, with a swimming pool and 24/7 restaurant. The staff was so caring and competent. I felt so relieved!

REPLY

I’m so sorry for your difficulties very stressful,

I do believe we do the best we can with what we have. I was absent from my family’s life for a long time, but I’m back now.

Hopefully my sisters, who has been there the whole time now except some support from me and forgive me for being absent, but I wasn’t well either…

They cared quite a lot for both my father (deceased) and my mother 87, and I’m grateful to them; now I’ll do what I can.

I hope you and your family find peace and good health soon.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.