Last year at 78, Dad moved from his lifelong home in rural NY to CA and moved in with my family. In the last year he has undergone tremendous medical care from years of neglecting himself. We got him hearing aids and glasses. He's had surgery for 3 hernias, 2 surgeries to help with facial deformities due to Bells Palsy, fell and broke back which is when they discovered an abdominal aneurysm which he has surgery for. While doing scans for that a mass in his lungs was discovered; testing is inconclusive, a biopsy can't be done because of location so CTs will be done at 3 month intervals to monitor for change.
He still drives although he doesn't like to. I've introduced him to the senior center but he won't go. He won't do anything without me. I feel like he is taking over my life. When I went to NY to get him, I switched from full time work to part time. This summer when his medical needs were at their greatest, I went to sub work. So, having him here has taken away 2/3 of my income, the savings has been depleted and I need to return to work, full time so we have the benefits.
My big stress is that dad won't do anything without me and lays on the guilt when I don't want to go and "do something" everyday. I love my dad but I don't enjoy the casino or fishing which are his only interests.
Help!!! Please, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
It is hard to live with someone after you have been on your own. Last night I asked him to follow me this AM to take my car to the shop, I had to wake him up, then he diddles around the kitchen, does some laundry, gets some breakfast. Thus I am now late and the car wont be done till tomorrow. When I asked him to go to the game yesterday he was up and down the steps and out the door in 30 seconds. When it is something he wants to do hes like a cartoon, poof and hes gone.
My wife noticed he is an "I, MY", every conversation is about "I or my"..... he does not listen unless it is something he can gossip to on the next phone call. My wife can't talk about work or anything else she can't have repeated.
I try, believe me I try. At dinner he talks about all the foods he like (weird things my mom wouldn't make). As I tell him, the kitchen is there, buy what you want make what you want, clean up what you so.... He is a good cook but I don't like split pea soup, navy beans, stomach. liver, tongue or anything that licks or kicks me back...... I do all the cooking and the shopping so I cook what I like. The rule is if you buy it, you cook it, you clean it up.... He gets miffed when I don't like something he likes. I have made him lots of his favorites mom used to make but I cant be the chef, valet, etc....
He is not happy that I am not going on the annual hunt this year. I need a break with my wife alone and want to spend time with my kids over Thanksgiving (wed leave the day after and go for almost a week). So he is welcome to go and he is. He will spend T day with some of the step grand kids out of state. Most likely I will end up being the bad guy. Funny is he told me he called them, he told my sister he had not called them yet so who knows what he is doing......
Sorry for the rant but my head just hurts.......
You have been through a lot, come back from a lot, and have done a lot! Wow! No one can take over our lives without us allowing them to because we don't have healthy or existent boundaries. You have your life, your marriage and your family to look after first. You need to set some boundaries to protect all these other areas of your life. I think other solutions for your dad need to be found.
I read over this thread quickly, so I may have missed this question already being asked. So, forgive me if it has already been asked. What does your husband and daughter think about all of this, plus what it is doing to you as well as to the family as a whole?
Can you tell I'm speaking from the position of a daughter who's fed up with my role? I'm strongly advising you to do as I say and not as I do! : ) Good luck!
Take control, be the pack leader, set boundaries, rules and limitations. This is so that life runs smoothly and everyone, including the dog, gets what he/she needs. Including a bit of uninterrupted peace.
How many people, elders and youngers, need to have boundaries, rules, and limitations. IF IT IS SO SIMPLE THAT A DOG CAN DO IT, then we all need to be doing it, too.
A relative puts off going to the doc and then dies at 65, an extended family member weighs 450# and he dies of a 7 cm stroke at age 66, a friend knows something's wrong and when she finally gets herself to the doc, she has Lupus. I am sorry for your dad.
With my Mom I could cut short a visit at my parents house by saying "I have laundry to do" and she fully understood. But not my Dad because my Mom was a stay-at-home person for 70+ years, she had all day to do the housework.... but that wasn't my world, I have worked at a career all my life, and Dad cannot relate why I don't have time to entertain him.... what Mom did all week to maintain the house, which she did beautifully, I have to cram into a weekend :P
I read a fabulous book that I think would help many here, "Love never sleeps" I can only remember the author as ? Rains. It is about two women who have the Mother of one come into their home when she develops dementia. It's painfully sad at times, and amusing and where many of us are whether our loved one lives with us or not.
So, as it turns out, my sister decided that she would come over four nights but I still go most every night. I enjoy his company but my dad needs to find more activities as well. He reads, goes put for biscuits and gravy every two weeks with a friend, and tinkers with cars and other projects. He is 83 years old.
I think their inclination is to think daughters should be there for them just like their wife was. Mom had Lewy Body dementia; he and my sister took care of her. Had to get dad new glasses and hearing aids - he is now more aware of his surroundings which is great!
Two days ago, he received a shock from his pacemaker. The first one since he survived the "widow-maker" five years ago. Took him to the hospital - he. Was a new man after flirting with all the nurses. My sense is your father is like mine, he is lonely and needs more interaction than he is getting.
I cannot do it and neither can you. Take him to the senior center. He will resist like mine does, but make him go. Best of luck - just know you are not alone in this struggle. We want to be there for our father but we have other demands and responsibilities as well. Better now than later!
The folks here have left some very good suggestions & ideas for you...I'm not able to add to it, as I feel all the issues have been covered...I will however, extend my compassion & encouragement to you...you have gone above & beyond for your Dad...I hope things get better for you soon.
with a demanding BIL I've come up with another one the "I" in Life is not an individual.
An example when my adored & adorable foster sister was about 4 years old,
I mentioned something I'd done years before (there's a 19 year age gap ~
no prizes for guessing I'm the older one). Abigail looked shocked and said
"that can't have been, I wasn't even born then."
Cute at 4 to believe they are the center of the universe not so cute at 64
BIL's age or older. Sadly age & dementia seem to convince our cared for
that they are slap bang in the middle of Life.
Boundaries straight off and no lessening of them. Sounds awful I know,
but I quickly learnt that what I thought of as a treat immediately transferred
into accepted every day practise for BIL.
I have a lot of health issues of my own and it's kind of funny on his good
days to hear my BIL tell neighbours, strangers in shops, the tv how amazing
I am.
"Poor Lucy, she's run of her feet, well she would be if she wasn't in the
electric chair (my power wheelchair). She's in constant pain you know but anybody wants and she's right there meeting the need. I wish people
wouldn't take advantage." This from the man that sulks and tantrums when
I don't jump to his every whim :~)
I repeated to him this morning what he'd said to the man delivering groceries
I was trying to put away, while BIL got upset because I wouldn't drop
everything and go out Now.
I was rewarded by a big smile and "exactly if you weren't always doing things
for people you could help me." He takes up 80% of my life and we don't
share a home!
Love your cared for, BUT remember that where they are now, in the future
you could be in the same place. How does that get funded when every
penny went on them? Is this what you for your children when you're a senior?
Is this to be your Grandchildrens legacy, caring for their parents?
This should help belay the guilt. You saying "NO" now stops generations
getting caught up in this terrible place.
Because of better living standards we are all living/existing longer but it
the extended years don't guarantee extended health.
Our generation is the first one to experience seniors caring for senior plusses.
It's vital we get it right, so those after us get a chance at life, not just being carers.
Please don't feel guilty though. You have to go back to work and take care of your family's needs and your own needs too. It sounds harsh but I've had to just develop a thicker skin to my dad's expectations over time so I don't torment myself with guilt.
Inflexibility and attachment to the familiar and the routine seems to be a pattern with old age but I know elders who defy that pattern too. I hope your dad can be open to some new experiences. Keep us posted.
Setting boundaries--very important.
I really liked the suggestions to just tell Dad--hey--did you quit working to care for your folks? and, simply telling him, if you don't go back to work ALL of you will be homeless--working is a way of "taking care of/honoring your elders"; it is not just tea and sympathy one on one.
Your working, is like people on a plane...the plane's in trouble, you put on YOUR O2 mask FIRST, THEN try to help others!
Dad of course, won't like being left alone while you are at work, and, he might also expect you to spend all your off-hours with him as well--you must put realistic limits on that, too, because your off-hours must have time for you to rest and recuperate.
Your local Area Agency on Aging, might have suggestions, even for vetted volunteers to come visit with Dad at home, or accompany him to various places.
Good luck!
And ditch the guilt--you've already gone waaaay above-and-beyond the call-of-duty, in taking care of Dad!
You don't mention dementia, but I would bet on it. With his age, long-time neglect of his health, and all the major procedures he's had done, he's almost certainly dealing with a little cognitive impairment. That's one more reason why he won't be able to see what his demand are doing to you. He only sees that you continue to do it.
My situation improved when (after months of asking him to agree to go to the senior center) I called the center and the transport agency and arranged for him to go there three days a week. Then I informed him that the plans had been made and they would pick him up Monday at 8:00. I gave him the phone numbers if he decided to cancel them, but I would not be available those three days regardless. Then I said a friendly good-bye and left. BINGO! He started going to the senior center three days a week. Hasn't missed a day since.
YOU ARE IN CHARGE. That's my own mantra that I'm sharing with you. Your Dad isn't imposing upon you, you're allowing yourself to be imposed upon. Think about what you're expecting...for him to change a situation that he's perfectly happy with. You're the one who is suffering, you're the one who needs to change things. Both you and your dad will be better off.
PS - regarding the money situation. STOP using your money. Dad is living with you and you should hold the purse strings – both yours and his. Make sure his finances are in order and "put on your own life preserver first." You're going to be old some day yourself.
Find a Board and Care home in your town where he could live and be cared for. Love does not mean what you are doing.
You didn't mention if your Dad has Alzhiemer's or anything, so I don't know if this will help you, but my mother had become very consuming and wanted only me with her constantly. I agree with so many other post here, the first thing I had to learn was BONDARIES. There are things in you life you need and have to do and there are things in your life you just want to do, and there is nothing wrong with that. Don't let guilt get in the way of balance. One thing I have done for my mom which seemed to help is I got a large picture frame and turned the inside around so that it looked like a whiteboard. Then I took a dry erase marker and every night I would write into the frame what I would be doing the next day and what my mother should be doing. That included days when I would not be able to spend the day with her or if someone else would bring her a meal. I would number it and WRITE It DOWN. I had to keep it simple and as her condition became worse it didn't work as well, but for awhile it was a total stress reliever. It seemed to help her balance out her constant need for me and gave me back some of my own life. Writing it down for her helped me see where I needed to be more realistic with myself.
As also suggested, get help. I went through the Dept. Of Aging in my state and got a Provider who came in 2hrs every day of the week. They also helped me get my mom on the Meals-on-wheels program freeing up one meal a day. And lastly, I made my mother take up a hobby, knitting, something she had done when she was younger. I just kept encouraging her and encouraging and oohing and awing over what she made until she went from fighting me on it to enjoying it. I now have blankets all over my house and stacked in the closet, but it focused her attention on something other than me.
Most importantly, get rid of the guilt. It is a wasted emotion that does nothing for you or your Dad. You sound like an awesome kid whose given more than your Dad could ever have expected, and if he was younger and healthier he would tell you that himself. Aging and illness do terrible things to the mind, but not to the heart that is still in there somewhere. Be proud of what you have done and be realistic about what you can do. And take care of yourself, a difficult lesson to learn, but a necessary one for everyone involved. My prayers are with you.