Follow
Share
If she requires this, and you are unable to do this, then you will now need caregivers (horrific in expense round the clock) or she will need placement.
It is sometimes the case for people. There's little that you can do about it. I am so sorry.
Helpful Answer (10)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

I’m guessing you’re afraid to be alone with mom because you fear being placed in the position of cleaning or changing her. If that’s it, understand we all have our limits, this is yours, and it’s okay. Accept it, it’s not a character flaw. More people would be wise to know what they cannot handle.
Helpful Answer (9)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report

Same. I can't clean people. For several reasons. I know millions of caregivers go through the motions out of love or duty or whatever, and they don't like it, but they are forced to do it.
I can't and I don't.
No matter how many people tell me to "deal with it" or "grow up" or "get over it". I am not Florence Nightingale. I don't wipe or scrub bodily fluids off body parts. It's hard enough to make eye contact with other humans and to answer phone calls. I cringe when people hug me.

That said, I must depend on other people to clean up. It costs a whole lot. I would work 3 jobs if I had to, just to pay for caregivers.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to BlueHeron
Report
ElizabethAR37 Mar 27, 2025
Please, oh please, let me make my Final Exit before I need to be "cleaned"! How could I expect someone else to do what I could not do myself?
(6)
Report
See 1 more reply
Don't be hard on yourself. I was the same way with my dad before he went to a facility. I think I was judged by a member of his side of the family about it but this does not make you a bad person. Some people feel uncomfortable doing it and it is ok! Some people can not handle the hands on part of care giving and I'm one of them.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to faithfulbeauty
Report

Time for placement .
She will get washed there and behavior managed with meds .
You can’t live in fear of her and be her caregiver .It’s ok to stop hands on caregiving .
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to waytomisery
Report

If you can not care for her you have 2 options.
1. Hire a caregiver that will come daily to help with her care. (If you need help over night then that can also be arranged.) Mom pays for the caregivers NOT you.
2. Place mom in a facility that will meet her needs. the options there would be Assisted Living or if mom has dementia then Memory Care.

You can learn to care for someone. but there are some people that have limits as to what they can do, or will do. I call that your "line in the sand" . First though is safety if you are not safe caring for anyone or if they are not safe with you caring for them then you have to hire someone to do what you are unable to do or you place them. It is not a failure but it is accepting that their care is beyond what you can personally do.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

Time to get her some income help or into a nursing home. Start investigating what she qualifies for (Medicaid, VA benefits, county, etc). Hopefully she doesn't have enough assets and can qualify for Medicaid. This is a reminder that it is important to think about these issues earlier than you think and plan ahead if possible.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to mikeindc
Report

Why are you afraid to be alone with her? Has she become violent? Has she threatened you? Without knowing the circumstances, it’s difficult to advise you.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Fawnby
Report

I had never had to wipe and clean another adult's behind, until my aunt got dementia. I get it. It's tough. Even changing her depends, I will never forget how she sat around in that loaded depend, and when I finally got it off, it was so loaded, it messed up the freshly cleaned carpet. It was hard trying to change and bathe her because she got agitated and would fib that she does it herself.
The incontinence is my big problem, too. She has a caregiver coming in, but not every day.
My own cousins who live near aunt weren't cleaning and changing her, yet expected me to take all of it on.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Tiredniece23
Report

Is she able to sit in a shower chair at all. Perhaps I missed in your post if she is bed bound or not. This would make the situation easier even if it is once a week as frequent incontinence will be bad for her skin especially is she stays in a brief for long periods of time.. I am sorry for all you are going through.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Riverdale
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter