My two siblings and I have been seldomly included. This was probably what my parent wanted for whatever reason. My parent is now at the point in his life where we will need to have some unity on what comes next for them. My idea is to suggest that my two siblings who live closer to him visit more, and that they hire in home help until he needs to be in a facility etc. My sister told me yesterday that my stepmother's kids were there and they prefer to opt for my dad being placed somewhere! I didn’t know if making it clear in a nice way to my stepmother that we had always felt out of the loop, so to speak, and now are needed, is the right thing to do, good and bad, sickness, and health etc. I know she has been under a lot of stress lately and feels overwhelmed. I am going to visit later this month.
Should I suggest a family meeting? Does anyone have any other tips/ ideas? I believe in keeping loved ones at home as long as possible, but I’m the one he wouldn’t want to live with so far away, so...
You, meanwhile - the one person who come what may will not be doing the heavy lifting - believe in keeping him at home for "as long as possible."
As long as possible appears to have passed by. Do NOT get in the way. By all means call a family meeting, where you and your siblings can offer whatever in the way of moral support you are each comfortable with, but don't "volunteer" your stepmother for either more hands-on caregiving or more guilt.
- did your Dad give someone (or more than one) durable Power of Attorney? You won't be able to make any decisions beyond what your Dad actually wants and what the PoAs decide. Hopefully they will get consensus from others who care about his future, but they don't have to. You can request to be kept in the loop regarding what transpires for his care, but you won't have any real power, except the power to be a fly in the ointment.
- Having discussions about long-simmering issues, like feeling "out of the loop", needs to maybe wait as this will only add drama to an already emotional time and suck people's limited energy. My husband is from a blended family and I totally understand what feeling out of the loop is like. Just play nice for your dad's sake and get his current issues solved.
- Why do you believe in "keeping loved ones at home as long as possible"? Please go to the Caregiver Burnout postings if you want to know what reality is. Sounds like your step-mom may already be there, so don't judge her unless you know how much she's been doing for your dad.
- Be the adult in this journey. This is the most loving and practical thing you can do for your dad.
Your step mother is his wife. The bulk of caring is falling on her. She is the one, who gets to decide if she can no longer cope with her husband at home.
Go talk to s/mom as soon as you can and make your offer. At least she will know how many hours you intend to pay for (and you make the arrangements so she doesn't have to deal with that part) and how much relief you will be offering. Your other siblings need to give you a calendar of committed hours that you can share with her at the same time...siblings must in in agreement that if their name on calendar for a certain day and can't go, they find replacement ahead of time. Do not leave s/mom hanging when she expects you to be there. - If you all can't provide this sort of promise to her, don't make the offer.
If you and the siblings don't want him in a facility, which one of you can take him into your home? Or which one of you is willing to go to their house to provide her with 24/7 coverage so she can get out of the house to get a break...for several days, week, month, etc. A break for a caregiver needs to be substantial - not just giving them a couple of hours to run all over town to pick up groceries, misc items for the house. If no one is willing to step up, then your belief of keeping loved ones at home lacks the hard work it takes to accomplish that belief
I would not say anything about always feeling "out of it". I get the impression that you were raised by Mom and Dad remarried. Did he raise his step children or were you all grown when he remarried. It really has a lot to do with how ur question is answered.
You are right when you say your assumptions about what aging should look like and what your dad wants may not be the same as his so try not to go into this with preconceived notions but do talk to him about it, listen to what he has to say one on one as well as interacting with the rest of his family. I don't think I saw how long he has been married to his current wife but my impression is it's been a while and he really entrenched into that second family even though they aren't his biological kids but you didn't all really live together. I lived a similar situation so can kind of relate, anger and hurt included but I can also tell you that in particular the medical needs of aging and medical crisis have a way of presenting the opportunity for changing all of that and giving you all the opportunity for a second chance at being family. In many ways I think the fact that we are older with families of our own helps this process but that's a whole different tangent. I encourage you to find a non threatening way in, a way to contribute your unique skills which by your very question here include the will to plan in advance which is key here, without stepping on the key players position even if it means taking a back seat or helping them come up with ideas, plans rather than it being your idea (if you get my meaning) and find your new place in the bigger family. Hopefully your step-siblings aren't at the place where they want to split your parent's and make Dad your problem because this could become very sticky especially given the fact that they have had so much involvement over the years and your dad's kids have not because then you are looking at assets and financial division, medical expense and qualifying for help. As a couple they are entangled and if that is the feeling you get with no bites to work together you need to get an Elder Care/estate attorney involved to consult with.
1 - Focus on what kinds of tasks dad needs help with at this moment.
2 - Also focus on who is willing to help meet these needs and in what ways. Nobody can tell another what he/she should do. Each person should volunteer for himself/herself.
3 - If there are needs that nobody wants/able to address, its time to look for other resources: Adult Day Program, home or health care aides, sitters, etc.
4 - Get dad an appointment for POAs with a lawyer while he is still able to give consent. Then, that person or those people can "take over" with decision-making when dad is unable to.