Caregiver guilt. I want to keep FIL at home and help take care of him, but brother wants to move him to a facility. What should I do?

If you keep him at home, what will you do when:
He starts peeing in the dishwasher, around but not in the toilet, on the carpet, in your shoe, and on the kitchen table top? My LO has done all of these things. What will you do when you take him out in the car to appointments, for a ride or to visit family, and he pulls the handle and opens the car door while it’s in motion? What will you do when he refuses to use a public bathroom but really has to go and does? All over the place? What will you do when he takes off from your house and ends up miles from your house but you can’t find him when you realize he’s missing?

All these things and more are what you can expect. They are common, not uncommon, with his condition. Place him before they happen.

Try to keep him home

Worked for folks across the street from me. Sure they had to take her every time they wanted to go out. Sure it got to the point that they had to call the police when she didn't unlock the car door to let herself out, but she passed in her home.

Listen to your brother-in-law.

One key question here is what does your husband think or is he too busy trying to please everyone? This is not your father who is needing care but your husband's and his brother's father.

Considering that fil has dementia I hope you realize that his care needs will increase.

Are you wrong for feeling angry. No, your feelings are your feelings. But expecting your bil to come and care give to give you and your hub respite is probably not reasonable. That is his choice to make. He is entitled to make his own decisions on that. His suggestion to put his father in a facility for professions 24/7 care is reasonable.

Yes, it takes a village to care for loved ones, but you (and your hub) are not a village and you don't get to chose who that village is.That's one big problem with caring for fil at home. If family chooses to place him they do get to choose the village.

My sister had no intention of putting any work into caring for our mother. She simply wanted to save the $$$ for her inheritance. Be thankful that your bil sees placement as an option.

I think all too often when there are multiple siblings - one sibling will take on care "for everyone". Meaning - that they assume that if they are willing and able to care for mom/dad that ALL of the siblings share that ability and desire.

You can only make choices for yourself. You and your DH decided to take care of your FIL. You made an informed decision for yourselves. And that's perfectly fine if that is what you want to do.

But what you cannot do is make the same decision for siblings or other in-laws. You may feel it takes a village (and it does) but you cannot assume that family members are willing and able to BE that village. You cannot make an executive decision to take on caregiving for all family members.

What I don't see is how YOUR DH feels. You say that BIL feels that he should be placed in a facility. You say that you feel that is not the right idea. Where does your DH stand. You say that he feels the same regarding BIL not being helpful, but how does he feel about placing his father?

My perspective is from your shoes - but the other side of the fence. My SIL and her DH moved in with my FIL (out of their own need for a roof over their heads) and as a result they were default caregivers when he began to need it - because they lived in his home - rent free, and he paid all of their bills. DH and I lived an hour away, both still worked full time, and also had other family members who needed occasional care on my side.

The more care he needed, the more it was expected that we would begin to take on more responsibility. We could only do so much. We did all that we could. But he was still needing more and more care. It was having an impact on mine and DH's relationship. It was impeding me from helping my own side of the family. His care consumed us. But he still needed more. My phone blew up day and night with SIL's complaints about not being able to keep going the way we were. But no one wanted to broach the idea of a SNF. Because FIL was adamant that he wanted to die in his home.

We began a cycle of fall - hospital - rehab - home, over and over. I sat my DH down and told him I was done. As long as we were the solution he would never consider anything else. And SIL and her DH were reticent to force the issue because he was their financial support. DH said he understood. And then I told SIL. She lost it on me, not in a mean way - just that she didn't think she could keep doing it - but she didn't know how to get out of it.

Ironically - with the knowledge that I was stepping back, and that DH would be able to do less and less due to caregiver injuries (spinal surgery for one), suddenly - SNF was on the table in a very real way.

If you want to care for your FIL, you have every right to make that choice - provided your DH is onboard. I don't suggest you make that decision without him.

But I would take BIL at his word - he doesn't want to participate - you will be on your own. And HE has every right to make that decision.

Too many people believe that the only way you can care for someone is hands on. That's a misconception. There are lots of ways to care for someone, that don't involve you doing it personally.

While your feelings are yours and you have a right to them, being angry with your BIL accomplishes nothing.

There are benefits on both sides of the [age if you are doing a Pro and Con list.
You have decided that you are going to care for your FIL so you can not be "angry" at your brother in law.
You can be frustrated at the situation.
It is VERY difficult for someone to come for a visit and step completely and effectively into the role of caregiver. It takes "professional" caregivers sometimes weeks to get to know a client and what the routine is and to get the client to accept them as a trusted caregiver. (even more difficult if the person does not want a caregiver)
So a weekend or a couple of days is not going to do much to help.
If you want a break hire a caregiver (your FIL pays for the caregiver) and have the caregiver on a set routine. Like Monday, Wednesday and Friday if you can't do daily. This gives you specific days of the week that you KNOW will be free for you to do what you need or want to get done.

If you and your husband want to take a bit of time off and go on a vacation do use Respite. A week or two does wonders to reset your self!

If your FIL is a Veteran ask the VA if there are Adult Day Programs in the area that they can suggest, often the VA will cover the cost of the program (If your FIL is in the VA system.

Check with your local Senior Service Center and see if they are aware of any programs and see if he is eligible for any services.

The person who is ill here is your father in law . That is no one’s fault . It was very nice of you to care for him but you may have reached your limit . We all have our limits . That’s ok .
There should be no guilt felt in placing him in assisted living , if you ever decide to do so . You did not cause his illness or the fact that this is getting too hard to manage at home .

Start looking at facilities where dad can have his own separate life. You can decide to make "it takes a village" your mantra, but the village can be somewhere else. The facilities will have a village that is already set up with layer upon layer of help for dad. They've been doing it for years. They are professionals. They know what to expect and how to do it.

You can go visit dad anytime you want. Then you can leave. And that's the beauty of placing dad in someone else's village.

Anyway, "It takes a village" is baloney. If the village is in your home, you can be sure that you yourself are the whole village and then some.

Respite Care sounds nice, but it costs typically $500 or more per day - at least in my locale. $500 per day X 14 days = $7000.
Ouch.

What's wrong with 2 weeks respite care??

Momoftwins, welcome to the forum. I see from another posting of yours that your dad-in-law has Alzheimer's/Dementia.


Please note that 40% of family taking care of a love one who has Alzheimer's/Dementia will die leaving behind the person they were caring. Then what would your husband do with his Dad, since you are no longer there to help?

If you wish to/decide to/feel you must take on this care, then understand that you will be doing it alone.
I would be where your brother is, that is to say many miles away as I could get.

You have the perfect right to make your own choices for your own life. I feel bad for your hubby if your choice is to sacrifice your own life on your Dad's burning funeral pyre, because often this is a slow burn, that robs you and your marriage of some of the happiest and most carefree years, those years when you are newly retired, strong enough to do wonderful things, and have raised your children and are free. I was taught by my own parents that this caring for THEM, after they have already HAD their lives, would be something that would break their hearts.

I honor your own beliefs and decisions and determination to make your own choice in this matter. But I caution you against thinking you can make decisions for others. You cannot. You SHOULD not. So take that off your plate. It relieves your mind of at least ONE thing to think about and be concerned over. As I said, your brother's decision would be my own. I was an RN and I loved it. It did, however, teach me that it was only doable if I kept it to three shifts a week, 12 sick days, 12 holidays and 5 weeks vacation. I could not otherwise have remained strong enough to do the care, and that was with an entire team at my elbow.

I wish you the very best.

My Mom was the best. But I am not a Caregiver. I like order and everything falling in line. Doesn't happen with Dementia. Its too unpredictable. After 20 months taking care of Mom an oppotunity cam up and I took it. Respite care turned into her staying in the AL because she adjusted so well. When the money ran out, a nice LTC.

At 75 I will tell you that you should never expect something out of someone else. You take what they are willing to give, but you will be much happier if you don't expect. Realize too, that because you look at something a certain way, othersvmay not. So if you are going to continue to take care of Dad, then its all on you. I hope you have his POA so you can make decisions for him.

No you are choosing to take care of your FIL. It is selfless and nice. Your BIL sees it differently. Neither of you are wrong,

Hire good people to help with your FIL, Your BIL has been clear that he will not be doing anything more than what he does.

This situation is only going to get worse. Believe me. I’ve been there.

Yes, you are wrong for feeling angry with your BIL.

I truly get it. When my parents were alive, I vowed that I would never place either of them in a facility. I loved both of them way too much. I never had to, because they both were ill and didn't linger long.
Now we have my aunt who has dementia. Aunt never had children and all of her siblings are gone. My cousin thinks like you. She doesn't want to put aunt in a facility. She told me she promised her dad she would take care of aunt. Her promise, however, meant having me as aunt's caregiver, while she overseereed.
I know she wants the best, but she felt that because she had a family, I should take it ALL on, while she helped whenever she could, which was minimal in comparison to what she expected.
I tried for a week, some weekends and knew I was in over my head. I found myself in the shower screaming my head off. I was burned out.
If you and your husband try to take this on, I commend you, but you are going to get burned out and no one is going to come to your relief, because they will feel like they've got this.
Your brother in law might seem like he's being selfish, but he's recognizing what can't be done.
My aunt is still home with care at home, but she is going to get worse and she will need more than just a caregiver. Just think about it.

I have the same going on here - My only sibling (older brother) says to put dad in a home and doesn't help other than a few quick visits here and there. So, I accept that. Me, myself, and I made the choice to come care for Dad. So, I look at it as exactly that - my choice not anyone else's. So I don't expect him to help, nor am I angry at him or resentful. It is what it is. I don't blame him for his choice. We all have choices. So do you guys. I see anger as wasted energy - and I need all I can spare at this point in my life! My Best Wishes to you all.

You can not force someone else to be a hands on caregiver . It’s not something everyone is capable or willing to do .

It is up to you and your husband whether you continue to go on like you are . It is not your brother in law keeping you in this role .

Your brother in law is suggesting an option to you by suggesting placing his Dad in “ a home “. He is suggesting this because you are burned out .

Only you and your husband can change the situation you are in . You can not expect other’s to align with what you think is right to do and help you.

You do not have to accept the role you are in . You could place your father in law . Assisted living ( a home ) is a village with nurses, nurses aides , cook, housekeeping , maintenance , activities . Two caregivers at home is not a village. Or your other option is to have hired help come to the home to give you breaks .

I think you need to stop blaming your brother in law for the situation . You said it wasn’t helpful when he did come . So why keep thinking he should come help ?

The brother in law coming obviously isn’t the solution . At least he’s suggesting placement as a way to help you, since you are burned out . Many caregivers get grief ( from non caregiver siblings ) over placing a parent in assisted living when the caregiver is burned out and say they can not do this role any longer . Consider yourself lucky . Your brother in law has done nothing wrong .

Momoftwins, Yes it takes a village, and yeah sorry, after all Ive learned here , yes you are a bit wrong.

Some people have it in them to do caregiving some just don't, and can't do it.

3 years ago when my sister disappeared out of are little caregiving circles. I was mad, really annoyed. Now I see , she did what was best for her. It's just what she had to do. I could see the stress in her, and was trying to pick up my part to help , but she just left.

I'm thinking at the time I was actually more jealous than mad at her. Jealous because she had it in her and I didn't.

Caregiveing is rough work, physically and mentally, have you considered a facility for dad?

It may be time for your family to let go of the caregiveing duties too??


I'm wondering , how old everyone is in this, your fil, and your family. Do you have young kids?