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stress

Tiaguillen
Tiaguillen Member Posts: 1 Member
Hi I am the eldest of four children with a mom who has dementia. We live outside of the United states. She's 80 and back in March had a 2nd hip replacement on the same hip. My siblings and I sort of rotate a schedule of staying nights with mom. we have someone during the day. It s stressful for me being the eldest it appears that my siblings think I should do more. I already handle her banking/bills, grocery, laundry pay for things out of pocket plus stay with her more nights than others. Mom can be a hand full between not stable enough to walk on her own and dementia. I am hoping to find this site as a way for me to release my stress and maybe be comforted by others going through the same thing. Today is one day I am feeling really down even though mom slept through the night without any issues I haven't. My siblings and I aren't always on the same page about lots of things regarding mom and her welfare. How can I handle my duty as a daughter and sister, mother and wife plus work? Thank you for hearing me out.

Comments

  • Lucy C
    Lucy C Member Posts: 54
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    Member

    I'm not clear as to whether you're expat Americans, or what your culture/country of origin may be. It's a little hard to offer suggestions in this case, because in many countries/cultures, the view of elder care, and the roles of a woman in the family are quite different than for those of us in the United States. Family expectations can be very different indeed. You also don't say whether your husband feels any responsibility in helping to care for your mother, or whether your children (if old enough) can help.

    Without asking for private details as to your location, how closely have you investigated your country's resources? Are there government agencies? Charitable religious groups? Friendly neighbors who might lend a hand here or there?

    Can you pay for a caregiver to take over additional hours at night? Do assisted living facilities with a reasonable standard of care exist? Are they affordable? Are there elder-law attorneys or social counselors who can help you and your siblings to form a plan together—not only in regards to present care, but also for end-of-life issues?

    There may not, indeed, be any easy answers to this situation. In some cultures, the role of wife, mother, etc., is the least privileged role in the family. In such a case, it's usually best to try to connect with other women in your local community who are going through the same things, and encourage them to form a mutual support organization. These "sisters" will understand better than anyone else, and will sometimes have advice that is more relevant, because they are in the same position and struggling with the same difficulties.

  • psg712
    psg712 Member Posts: 412
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    Member

    Tia, this is definitely a place where you can release stress to others who have similar experiences. I don't know your culture, but I can relate to the feeling of being stretched thin between the demands of work and the needs of several family members, including my mom with dementia. Tell us more about your situation if you are comfortable doing so.

  • Lucy C
    Lucy C Member Posts: 54
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    Member
    edited August 27

    Yes, I like that way of putting it. My only caution in speaking previously is that sometimes in America, we tend to expect women to be assertive (and be allowed to be assertive and even confrontational) which isn't always possible elsewhere. So what I might recommend that someone do here, may not be applicable in another situation with fewer resources.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more