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Elderly parents

The second new shiny 2019 thread ...

961 replies

MereDintofPandiculation · 14/03/2019 21:28

... for anyone caring for elderly parents. Come and join us to ask for, or to give, sympathy, ask for advice, or have a good rant.

OP posts:
thesandwich · 05/07/2019 19:34

Hello dint thank you for asking about me..... struggling with some health issues at the moment, fortunately dm is doing ok and I am managing to hide it from her.....
cockroach all.

MereDintofPandiculation · 05/07/2019 11:19

How are things with you, sandwich? Your recent posts have all been really supportive of other people, but nothing about you - I hope that means things are going well at the moment?

OP posts:
MereDintofPandiculation · 05/07/2019 11:16

sandwich Thanks for asking about Dad. He's physically in very good nick, but increasingly living in a fantasy world which I'm finding it difficult to navigate. At the moment he wishes to alert the authorities to a risk to life (probably based on truth, but I'd be astonished if nothing has been done abut it in the nearly 40 years since he retired), but to do so will put him at risk of terrorist assassination, a risk he's prepared to take, but also put the family at risk too, so he wants us to discuss amongst ourselves whether we're prepared to take that risk.

OP posts:
MereDintofPandiculation · 05/07/2019 10:42

Don't know about oldies - I get exhausted after a couple of things to do! Keep wanting a little (mental) rest - that's why I'm on here so much.

OP posts:
RosaWaiting · 04/07/2019 17:50

Pyjamas being seasonal is a new one!

Does anyone else’s oldie have trouble finding the balance between nothing to do and then a couple of things to do becomes too much and they’re exhausted? Mum has that a lot.

yolofish · 02/07/2019 22:21

nota dont be silly, pyjamas are women's work Grin

nora agree, sit on a bit and stay away from the emotional stuff.

flamingnoravera · 02/07/2019 20:58

"Sandwich" yes, I can see that would be sufficient- thanks so much, I'm not going to reply till tomorrow.

thesandwich · 02/07/2019 20:49

nora I think I would keep it very factual. Perhaps just the first two sentences? And say you are concerned about her health.
yolo glad you are tackling the dds. Adjusting for them post uni freedom isn’t easy, but you have been through hell and back. House rules are key.
grinchly hellooo! Your weekend plan sounds good. Take stock.
nota sorry your list is increasing...
dint how is your dad?

flamingnoravera · 02/07/2019 20:32

What do mn vipers think of this as a reply to his crass remark? ..(I've not sent it)

"If only it were just a nap in the day in a person who is well, I might also feel envious; but this is not the case with my mum. She is terrified of what is happening to her and the depression is a symptom of this. I would appreciate a little more empathy when I share my observations about the situation. I’m struggling to see anything to be envious about here."

Is that too direct? Should I just let it go? (See my earlier post re son being envious of my mum) .

notaflyingmonkey · 02/07/2019 20:17

DM apparently asked DB on his last visit if he could buy her some pyjymas. He texted me to say that his wife said it's not something that he can get as they are seasonal. I didn't bother replying. Another thing to add to my list of things to do then.

flamingnoravera · 02/07/2019 19:49

@yolofish how old are your dcs? Are they old enough to have a "you are adults now and your dad and I are dealing with enough difficult stuff to have to be clearing up after you lot" conversation?

yolofish · 02/07/2019 19:41

oh nora that is really crass. I would hold off for at least 24 hours while you try and formulate a sensible response - and we can help you.

I have kicked some ass today with the girls, and it seems to be working. I'd never charge them rent, but they need to appreciate they are living rent free, bill free, and 4 adults live here - as the billpayers we dont want to live in a student hovel or hear shit about 'but it's her mess not mine'. DD2 takes it on board, but DD1 always always tries to negotiate - which is probs why she will be very successful in life but fuck me it gets wearing!

flamingnoravera · 02/07/2019 19:33

I'm fuming. Mum saw the psychiatrist on Friday and a diagnosis of dementia was given. She's on anti depressants and is very drowsy and confused. I told her husband's son that she was going to bed in the daytime- this is unheard of for my mum- she's always been so active and positive. His reply was "I also like to sometimes have nap in middle of day I’m jealous ".

I have held off replying to him because I know I have to keep the peace but I am livid and hurt for my mum that he thinks this is something so trivial.

I need him to know that this kind of reply to an information text is totally inappropriate but can't find the words because it's so crass. I'd really welcome any suggestions of how to tell him this is not funny nor would he want to be in her shoes...

Grinchly · 02/07/2019 16:41

needmoresleep and the sandwich
Such wise advice.

I would not still have my head above water without my cleaner. My house isn't large, I live alone with cats and a dog but it still gets messy.

Genuine lifesaver - 2hrs a week and it's ace. Basically 25% of the weekend saved as I am not as efficient as she is!

I've a short break coming up next week - just me and the dog. On the Sunday after I get back the neighbours are having a street party Hmm .

So I'm moving on that day to a very nice hotel in my mother's village. I can't bear to stay at the house itself, I hate it so much, so this is a nice treat just for me, and I can do some jobs at the house too. If I feel like it. Wink

These little breath-holes are essential for sanity, the preservation of.

RosaWaiting · 02/07/2019 12:06

Adult DC living there, even temporarily, should be on a rota for chores

We did laundry from about 14 I think. Chuck it in, do homework, unload etc etc

Needmoresleep · 02/07/2019 12:00

Yolo I understand.

About four years ago, when I was alread six or seven years into the elderly parents thing, with unhelpful sibling, a big mother crisis after a fall, her continued agression towards me, lots of issues managing her financial affairs, and the standard supporting teenager stuff, we had an awful summer which involved DD being helicopter evacuated to hospital whilst on holiday and DH ending up in intensive care.

A couple of months later I sort of ran away. I was down visiting my mother and checked into a cheap off season hotel and did very little. I walked, read, and treated myself to some nice meals. And no demands. I renewed my hotel room on a daily basis, for about four days until DD phoned to say she was missing me and could I come home.

Since then it has been easier. Their needs have reduced, though DD had a bumpy first year at University, and I have got more able to claim my space. I have become a bit of a lady who lunches as I consolidate my friendship network. Plus my spare time, spare till my mothers next crisis, is being used to catch up on theatre, evening classes, walking etc.

Its sort of why I went missing from this thread. You can only support effectively for so long. It very much sounds as if you need a break. Explain yourself and your needs to your family. It is actually important that your children do not see you as everyones doormat.Take a few days off when you can. Is there an old school friend you can visit? Or similar. Something absolutely non demanding and fun. And anyway you can outsource the domestic chores. Children cooking one day a week, supermarket deliveries, cleaner? I definitely felt I needed to re-find myself after the parenting years.

RosaWaiting · 02/07/2019 11:26

yolo sorry to hear that. have you said this to them? Or gone on strike, I mean if they don't like your driving...

how's everyone doing?

Today I'm thinking, why do I have all the patience some days and other days none at all? I won't bore you with the details but today my mum is doing a job I consider pointless, just to occupy herself. In fairness I'm not working today, so she called knowing that I wasn't working and I still got annoyed. She had a query about the best way to do this Pointless Task and I just thought, argggh.....

I know I'm being mean. I'm about to go on a very long walk as it's a lovely day and she doesn't have those options, so I should be less irritable by a phone call from mum.

It is nothing to do with her really. I suppose it's like, some days your colleagues annoy the crap out of you and you don't know why.

FinallyHere · 02/07/2019 11:16

{{{{{hugs}}}}} yolo

I'm sorry to read that, hope they get a grip soon and stop taking you for granted.

Cockroach, one and all

thesandwich · 01/07/2019 21:57

Oh yolo sending you a big hug and and patting down a cushion for you to flop on and vent away.
You always sound so strong and resilient.... they probably don’t see you needing support and appreciation.
Can you escape with dog for a bit? Do what fuels you. Make you a priority.

yolofish · 01/07/2019 21:19

How are you all doing? I mean YOU, not your oldies. One thing that has become very clear to me over the last year is that no one ever asks that irl, instead as the 'support' person you are supposed to be ever willing, ever attentive, carry the whole mental and familial load and do it willingly with a smile on your face, and ideally also maintain your job, your house and preferably look great too.

Sorry, I'm slightly bitter today. I'm feeling quite bullied by DH and the DDs, I feel like the butt of everyone's issues and I'm not allowed to have any of my own. I know we are lucky, it's not all about me, yada yada, but sometimes I would like someone to acknowledge everything I do and be a little bit grateful, instead of siding with DH about what a crap driver I am, or that the kitchen's not tidy enough or the washing's not done or whatever fucking thing. Bah.

cockroach to all.

Grinchly · 01/07/2019 16:48

Oh yolo that is fabulous news!
GrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

MereDintofPandiculation · 01/07/2019 09:39

Great news, yolo!

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 29/06/2019 21:03

Such good news yolo hurrah for the perfect arse cheeks and the good news. 😀

Needmoresleep · 29/06/2019 12:33

Brilliant news. You have had it so tough. I hope you can now emerge from the tunnel and have some essential selfish time.

yolofish · 28/06/2019 21:04

It still doesnt seem real?! cockroach mes cheres amies