How do I deal with feelings of frustration and resentment for a father who refused the rehab he needed to get better?

You are not selfish for wanting and needing your own life. I hope you can let that go. I know it's a tall order but try letting it go every day, just for that day. It's easier to accept when it's taken in bits and pieces. When you wake up every morning make the decision that you are not selfish for wanting your own life and remind yourself throughout the day. Other thoughts will try to intrude but just keep telling yourself that you're not selfish.

Our elderly parents don't understand that when they make unhealthy choices it's often us, the adult children, who have to live with the consequences. And the work. And the frustration. And the heartbreak. They make the decisions and we have to spring into action to accommodate them immediately and seldom are we given the time to consider and discuss these decisions with our elderly parent and/or other family members and loved ones.

I took care of my elderly father and the philosophy I developed was that he was the person who needed assistance. He was person I spent all my time caring for. He was the person whose finances I handled. I took him to the doctor, to the hospital for procedures, and made sure his meds were all present and accounted for. I took care of his diabetic feet and legs, took him to the wound clinic, and brought him with me any time I was invited to a BBQ or other social event. I was the healthy one and the only one able and willing to care for him so when he had some cockamamie idea about something he wanted to do or he was mulling over a decision that was ill-advised I whipped out my veto power. I didn't use it all the time because that would take away from its power but I would tell him that I was the one ensuring he had a good life with everything he needed and I was not going to allow him to get on a plane and fly halfway across the country, or buy a brand new car with 4 miles on it that would outlive him, or set up his med box by himself, or......you get the idea. My dad needed MY help. He didn't get to call all the shots when he was the one needing MY help. I had a very large say-so in what he did so my life wouldn't turn anymore upside down than it already was. That's how I took care of myself when my dad lived with me. He didn't get to make shortsighted decisions that were reckless or not in the best interest of his health and well being.

And in exchange for him relinquishing most of his control over to me he led a peaceful life for the most part with his family around him whom he saw everyday. He was the one who needed help. He didn't get to dictate the terms for which that help was given. When I need my living room painted or help with some other thing I don't tell the person helping me how it's going to be. I express gratitude for the help and make accommodations for the person helping me out and I do what I can to make sure that person has everything they need to help me. I know with family it's a bit murkier but the principle is the same. We can love and care for our elderly parents without participating in their spinning around like a top doing things that are harmful to them.

Help your dad on your terms, not his.

ik - just saw you're post. You are indeed an Angel but be careful here.

I dont live with my Dad but he ran me ragged. I nearly ended up losing my kids and marriage because it was just incessant.

He was the same. Got problems with his knees. Doc gave him Codeine to take. Wouldn't take it because it "bunged him up". So doc gave him a laxative - won't take that in case it causes him to be caught short. You can't win.

So what he did he do? He harassed the GP who eventually told him to listen to advice or go away. So he started on me - not sure what he expected me to do Im not a medical person. It was a case of my knees are bad so you'll have to come to visit to help me.

In the meantime, I spoke to his GP who said there were no problems like dementia he just did not want to listen. At that point, I thought "stuff it" I can only help so much.

Point being - if elderly person won't listen to medical professionals then its time to leave them to their own devices. That's what I do now - he phones me and moans about his knees, I ask him if hes taking his tablets, its always a No, so I tell him to listen to GP so he changes the subject.

ikgbrd, I don't know...even with PT and OT, with his further decreased vision, it just might be too much to expect him to be as independent as he was before the stroke.

You will be starting a new job soon. How is it going to be when you're sleep-deprived because you "spend the night dumping his urinal with ears peeled for when he might try to get up on his own"? Sleep deprivation is a form of torture, you know.

We read posts here from people who feel stuck in situations with their boyfriends because of eldercare issues. And it is often advised that the poster rethink the relationship. As strong as you think your relationship is with your boyfriend now, it might not withstand the stress of living with your father. And since your father only 70, so it could be an issue for years to come. Better to get OUT of his house ASAP. As wonderful a father as you say he was, he would not want you to sacrifice years of his life to be his caregiver.  

As I always ask, are you an only child? If not, then where are your siblings in all of this?

You have every right to be frustrated. I have had years of frustration with a mother neglecting her health. But back to your situation. You are young and need and deserve a life working towards your future. I think your father needs to be placed in a NH. That just seems to be the stark reality. We have a good friend the same age who suffered a severe stroke. After nearly a year in a variety of facilities he is home with a fulltime caregiver as his wife has a fulltime job. She has applied for Medicaid. They are at least blessed for now with a wonderful caregiver who needs the work but it took going through a number of them to reach this point. Your father is choosing to not help himself. Granted his judgment may be impaired but that is the stark reality. You cannot fix this and you obviously need to work which is important for your future. By whatever means possible I hope you can work towards this solution. You most likely need a social worker and possibly legal advice from an elder care attorney. Hopefully you might find one that will help and not cost what you and or he cannot afford. You could visit him and know that he will not be a further danger to himself. There are many on this forum who hopefully can advise you further. It is natural to be upset. You can allow those emotions but it would be best to not to succumb to them. I hope you can find the paths needed to provide for his care. Since it is a NH it should be provided for without a huge expense. My mother has been in 2 different AL facilities as we are moving to a more affordable state. From what you describe he would not be eligible for that type of facility which also is a cost that insurance would not cover unless he had a long term care policy. If he did it would also cover a NH. I would not waste time thinking of another option. As I stated he is beyond the stage for an AL facility and fulltime care at home can be an arduous process. It can be hard to find the right match and you do not have the time to be available if and most likely when problems develop. I hope I have not been too negative. I know of many situations with other family members as well as friends who have been down this path. Please help yourself by moving forward to get your father the safe care he needs for both your sakes. I wish you the best. It may not be at all easy but you did not cause his stroke. By getting him the care he needs you are providing him a safe environment.

I am 69 and I am a Senior but far from elderly. I think that term comes in about 80. But then I see some 80 people that don't act elderly.

I think you, friend and Dad need a sit down. Sometimes you need to be brutally honest. Dad, you can not do this on your own and I can't do it for you. (Me personally would not take care of a man not my husband, if u know what I mean) You need more therapy to help you do for yourself. You wouldn't listen to the people who know what they r talking about. It takes work. I love you and I will help but there are just things I will not do because you can do them for yourself with some work. Do you want to end up in a NH? Because, I cannot physically help you. I need to work.

Like said, if he lands in the hospital again, tell them there is no one to care for him in his home. He can refuse rehab but they r not suppose to release him without some kind of care in place.

I really feel for you. Your are too young to have to deal with this. But this is the future. More and more people are waiting till their mid 30s to have a family. Meaning that when parents start needing help in their 70s or 80s, the childred will only be around 50 still needing to work and if they waited to have children, still dealing with them or paying for College.

Rehab will not treat him unless he cooperates. They will simply chart "refused" and go on their merry way. Make plans for a nursing home placement. I would tell him that if he does not cooperate he will end up in a nursing home..because that's exactly what is going to happen. See a social worker -- it sounds like he will be too much for you to handle. Other things need to be done like establishing Power of Attorney (POA) and estate planning both of which require an eldercare attorney in order that Medicaid does not penalize him (if he ends up in a nursing home Medicaid won't pay until a date has passed).
It sounds like he's beyond assisted living. Assisted living means he is able to care for himself; namely, able to toilet himself; just needs some assistance for someone to check up on him. If he requires a lot of heavy-duty care they will not take him.

I'm afraid you'll have to look at putting him in Assisted Living. Either that or a Nursing Home. With the severity of his mobility he can't make it on his own. He also needs to see a therapist with you so both of you can work things out. The next time he gets frustrated about his mobility, tell him that's why he should've finished PT. Since he didn't this is what he got so it's on him to fix it.
Good luck.

People do what you allow them to do. If your father didn’t have a clear understanding of what your limits are he is not going to behave any differently.

I feel for you as I'm in the same position with a stubborn mother. I am her primary live in caregiver for the past 13 years. It's very difficult dealing with a non- compliant parent. Mom sounds very much like your dad. About you, your young with a future ahead of you. Your young life will pass by quickly. Don't devote your life to caring for him as only resentment will fester. You will end of regretting it later in life. Look for ways to have help for someone to look after him. A friend gave me advice recently. She said, "It's time for you to be your mom's daughter and not your mom's caregiver". I understand how frustrating caring for someone that is constantly fighting you tooth and nail. All you want is the best for them and they don't see it that way. It's all about losing their independence. You will lose yours too. Parents have a hard time letting go of it. My advice to you is to look for ways to have someone to help you out. I took the advice of that friend and as expensive as it is, I hired someone to be with her part time so I can start to reclaim my life. Part time is not even enough, it's a start. You can't put a price tag on your emotional well being. Have you considered calling the Department of Aging in your area to see what resources are available in your area? They can be very helpful.

Girl, you can't force your dad into a NH--as long as he's mentally competent.
BUT--are you overlooking this big but?--He can't force you to live with him and take care of him, either.
You can offer to help him figure out what his workable options are, and the current situation is not one of them.
If he's not willing to have this work session with you, then see if a representative of your local Agency on Aging or a geriatric care manager might come out to help him make plans for his future care.