Elder-caregivers
Related: About this forumShould I be angry by the lack of support my wife's family is willing to contribute?
I certainly know that anger only hurts those that harbor it. I feel that being angry doesn't help any situation. However, my spouse has two siblings, both professionals, that are completely unwilling to contribute to the longterm care their elderly mother desperately needs. As retirees, we are on a fixed income and paying the entire cost of the care while we watch the siblings buy new cars, take expensive family vacations, and claim to not be able to contribute a dime to their parents healthcare. This will impact the money we have set aside for our longterm care and thus affect our kids futures. Resentful? I'm thinking I'm resentful.
blm
(113,852 posts)Even a few hundred a month would usually make a difference. Its a matter of decency and respect.
MLAA
(18,669 posts)Id say he guys, we cant afford the home anymore, so youll need to pick up mom for 4 months, then take her to the next sibling then well cover the next 4 months. Not that youd really do it, but that should stir em up.
Skittles
(160,292 posts)if so and they refuse, they are indeed assholes
Joe Nation
(1,038 posts)One couple is a pair of lawyers and the other is a PhD. They have never been good with money but now their lack of foresight is costing us a large chunk of our retirement. So much fun....
MaryMagdaline
(7,918 posts)Saying I cant contribute might really mean I dont agree with your decision to get mom private care. Im totally ok with her being in a Medicaid only nursing home without any of us dipping into our own pockets.
I dont know what your in-laws contributed to their children and whether they favored some children over the others.
I dont know if your MIL was unkind to any of her children.
I dont know if your in-laws are ok with giving up their inheritance while you care for your MIL or if they are the type to have their hands out.
If you are getting totally dumped on, then yes, you have a right to be angry but you might as well consider your wife as an only child and act accordingly.
Be prepared, however. The caregiver gets abused even by the sick or elderly person. The more you do, the more you get blamed.
Please have a care plan for you and your wife
time set aside for your own events and your own time alone. Take care of your own sanity.
Been through it with MIL and husband. Watched friends go through it. Caregiver stress is some of the worst stress Ive ever experienced.
Joe Nation
(1,038 posts)A few clarifications:
There is no inheritance of any kind. The level of care is absolutely necessary and soon to increase. They completely agree with the care needed. They are just unwilling to pay any amount. Their children are adults at this point. Finally, my wife is a phenomenal caregiver and loves her mother very much. She has always been the one to attend to her mother's needs. All we are asking is for the other two to contribute to the cost of the care she needs. The sad part is that they have money and they are working but consider their own needs above all.
snpsmom
(791 posts)We just lost my mom, who, in one way or another, has depended upon my husband and me for over two decades. My brother washed his hands of her years ago. Similarly, we cared for my father-in-law when several of my husband's siblings were closer and more financially able to help.
Anger and resentment are natural responses, however, you as a caregiver also have choices. For both my mom and my father-in-law there came a time when long term care that we did not provide or help pay for was the only option.
In the end, I have learned to let go of my negative feelings toward those family members and be at peace with the choices my husband and I made that reflect our values and character. I wish you and your wife strength and peace in what is a challenging season of life.
Joe Nation
(1,038 posts)I'm just venting I guess.
snpsmom
(791 posts)understandable. Sending hugs.
Joe Nation
(1,038 posts)The way I see it is that we are modeling the behavior that we would Iike to see in our children as we have always done.
I guess that my in-laws are modeling the behavior that they will eventually see in their own children.
Their kids will be the ones to pay them back in the end.