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Elderly parents

But you’re my carer!

213 replies

Dormit · 17/08/2025 17:47

How do you respond to this? I’m just back off holiday and my mum has asked me to go up (a 30 min walk uphill-I don’t drive) to make her a cup of tea because she’s upset and a bit shakey. When I said no, I got the but you’re my carer retort as though that means drop everything and do what she wants. She’s quite capable of making a cup of tea and food. Hospital has just discharged her and deemed her medically fit and safe and she’s just been on holiday. I’ve explained I’m cooking dinner for my children and can’t get up for a couple of hours. I’ve not had lunch yet today due to being on the phone with her and the hospital and messaging family who have only given me grief. I’ve just come back off a week holiday and feel like I wasn’t supposed to have any time off. Family are saying I shouldn’t take any money for what I do for her (£2 an hour). I’m her official carer and barely get time to eat lunch on days I am there (4-6 days depending) and yet family (who do fuck all) are saying it’s only what any daughter would do. I put in around 40 hours a week and am on call constantly. I do her shopping, gardening, cleaning, cooking, banking and all admin, hospital and GP appointments, transport booking, holiday booking, gift and card buying, DIY, liaising with all professionals and lots and lots of emotional support. I was exhausted and needed that week away and have come back to being told by family that I abandoned her. I organised carers to be there in the days that I wasn’t and she told me she wouldn’t need carers today so I cancelled them. I’m so pissed off.

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Dormit · 21/08/2025 15:59

I’ve got some comfort food and comfort viewing tv while Dd is out with her dad then it’s hello take away pizza and maybe a film with Dd later.
Im on the verge of tears constantly and despite knowing how awful my family are, it’s still a shock just how nasty.
Thank you for the support. It’s given me the strength to stand up for myself for once.

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Ilikewinter · 21/08/2025 15:24

True colours are coming out now, your aunt sounds like a horrible woman. Concentrate on your DD!

Dormit · 21/08/2025 13:21

SS are putting in care immediately and will do an assessment too while they’re at it. I’ve been accused by mum of abandoning her to social services which is just hyperbolic crap. My aunt has said I’m destroying the family. I’m not helping things apparently and it’s my fault anyway. No good deed an all that.

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SockFluffInTheBath · 21/08/2025 12:49

It stops today.
yes, it does.

The flying monkeys have had to actually do something, didn’t like it, so resorting to emotional blackmail. It’s playbook stuff. Stay strong Dormit.

And congratulations to DD, the future is bright ❤️

Dormit · 21/08/2025 12:03

I’m very just been told by aunt that I’m going to be the death of my mum and that it will be all my fault and how immature I am because I’m refusing to unblock her. She wants me to unblock her because she’s decided I should have been included in the appointment yesterday and now wants me to do something regarding the consultant. This from the woman who made the appointment the yesterday and then said she wouldn’t take her. I’m done. My mum asked Dd after telling her her gcse results to speak to me and she’s going on about I’m making her ill and to unblock aunt. I said it’s making me ill too and I’ll phone her back later. I’ll phone her while Dd is out with her dad but mum and aunt have totally put a downer on what was a great day with DD’s results. I’m so proud of her and now feel like I’ve got a weight around my heart dragging me down. I’m anxious. My blood pressure is up and I’m totally overwhelmed. It stops today.

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SockFluffInTheBath · 20/08/2025 20:16

@dormit stay strong. Big day for your DD tomorrow, that’s your focus. Sounds like the flying monkeys are already annoyed at having to do one day. The ones with the most to say tend to do the least. You’ve done more than your share, and you’re quite right that if your mum needs more then she needs professional care. You’re on the right path, don’t let them tell you otherwise.

mamagogo1 · 20/08/2025 19:27

I presume you mean that you receive the pitiful amount that you get for carers allowance - whilst I’m sure it’s very stressful they are kind of right, however awful the money amount is you have to declare you are caring 35 hours a week to receive it though this includes paperwork too not just physical care

Dormit · 20/08/2025 19:03

The appointment was this evening and my aunt has travelled a fair distance to take her after telling her she would get her a private appointment.
I’ve now had emails from the care agency to say my mum rang them to ask for carers to go in but can I tell them more? No. Ask her what she wants because she can’t seem to articulate it to me when I’ve asked her.
Mum’s sister and my sister will happily leave mum tonight and go off to their respective homes regardless of whether or not they think she can manage.

I feel like telling everyone to fuck off. They treat me like shit then act so offended when I bite back.
I remember a good one when I was early 20s and my brother was over and he wanted to go out with his girlfriend and my sister and BIL. They are 10-15 years older than me. They wanted me to babysit my sister’s 4 kids and I said no because I was waiting to see if my friend was free to go out to the cinema/pub/whatever. I was called selfish and difficult and told I’d ruined their evening. I don’t think I babysat again for years after that little show of entitlement. They’d never have thought to invite me out with them. Never did.
I am so angry tonight. The GP is monitoring my blood pressure (I have a machine at home) and thankfully it’s staying normal by some miracle. I could cry though after the last few days. Bastards.

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Ilikewinter · 20/08/2025 17:39

Well isn't your aunt just acting like a 5 year old! - I would leave this to your mum to sort out with her sister. Even if you decide you'll take her, I would keep that on the quiet until the day before!

Dormit · 20/08/2025 16:47

@Binglebongyes, we are, so I’ll ask about that. I can access it from my phone but then it sends a code to mum’s phone to log in which can be a pain. Having them connected would save that bit of pain.

The shit has majorly hit the fan today. My mum has a private appointment that her sister is taking her to. Mum told me my sister is going with them so my aunt has kicked off at mum telling me and is now refusing to take her. Mum and I had agreed yesterday that she’d call me during the appointment so that I can hear what the surgeon says and ask any questions. We’ve done this before with NHS appointments no bother if I haven’t been able to be physically there because it’s school pick up time or similar. Aunt is kicking off that she was going to record the consultation (!) and send it me. She kept butting in to the conversation between my mum and me and said she’s not taking her anymore. Ffs she’s behaving like a child.

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Binglebong · 20/08/2025 15:42

I am so sorry that you are going through this.

Are you at the same doctors surgery? If you ate then you can link accounts on the NHS App. Im not suggesting you do the thinking for her but it would mean you can check appointments etc without having to rely on her memory.

Very best of luck.

Sentfrommygarden · 20/08/2025 15:38

if you end up burned out because of this who is going to take care of your DC? I’m guessing your siblings wouldn’t step up. Look after yourself and your DC. Wishing you the strength to stand up to them all.

ButcherBryd · 20/08/2025 15:28

Plus I take them to appointments, holidays

But sometimes I say NO !

ButcherBryd · 20/08/2025 15:26

My relative used to pay for
Weekly cleaner
Gardener occasionally
Window cleaner

Now I do it all for free !

GAJLY · 20/08/2025 14:39

I think your mum is confusing carer with slave?! That's ridiculous behaviour, if she's that bad then she needs professional carers or to go into a home! I'm my father's carer and I have boundaries too because I work, have children and pets. I do his garden, bins, food shop, medical appointments and prescriptions. He comes over most Sundays for a roast dinner. He only has to make his own food and clean, he is capable and needs to move around. He complains alot and expects me to take him out on trips/meals/holidays but I don't have any time left!

I'm on holiday at the moment (first one in 2 years!), offered him respite and he refused. Have stocked up on his medication and food, but he was panicking and telling me not to go away!!! I am not a slave, he is lucky I help him but I have a life too. You need to think the same way. Your family and children matter too.

JanFebAndOnwards · 20/08/2025 14:10

Not RTFT so apols if am repeating, but do you know you’re entitled to a carers assessment/ support from your local carers associstion? They will really help you access more help and benefits AND to step back if that’s what you want.

If your mum is abusive then you actually need to uninvolve yourself. Also you would be entitled to support as a ND person. You need to concentrate on your kids and their particular needs, and indeed on your own needs.

Dormit · 20/08/2025 14:01

I’m not sure it ever does. She just think La it’s very expensive but doesn’t relate that to me.
I’ve been asked today (on my day off and when another family member is with her) to contact the care agency and see if they can start care tomorrow. I’ve given her the number and said no. I’m expecting ting huge backlash.
I told her last night I’m not taking any money anymore and write out the jobs I do so that she can compile a job description after she got upset and said she’d get someone else. She doesn’t want anyone else to help her. I get that because it’s not nice having strangers help you when family know you well but my foot is down. I’ll help her but I’m not breaking my back to do it. The one who has been vile to me this week is the one there today so she can deal with stuff.

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thepariscrimefiles · 20/08/2025 13:25

Dormit · 19/08/2025 11:19

Respite care is £1080 a week so she’ll say no to that.
Stepping back today is telling g her she’s responsible for her own prescriptions. She forgets to tell me she’s running out and then I’m running round between the GP and pharmacy fixing the situation. Doing it herself might force her to be more organised. I don’t see why she can’t do her own online shop either. Me being so competent allows her to be incompetent when there’s no reason why she can’t do it herself.

Does it never click with her that what you do for £100 per week, would cost £1080 if professional carers did it and they wouldn't do the garden or clean her house?

Ilikewinter · 20/08/2025 08:49

@Dormit , whilst your DM may be worse than you realised, this is could the opportunity to press the rest button with her care.
Whilst no-one wants bad news, this could be the time to say you cannot cope and cannot provide any more care. Having been in your shoes it's not until you almost breakdown that the 'services' step in. Please advocate for your self , your mums care is not all on you

SockFluffInTheBath · 19/08/2025 19:39

Ah, just as you were starting to hope for change. It’s always the way. Everything crossed it’s the least bad option. You still need to prioritise your DC and yourself. You’re not an only child.

Dormit · 19/08/2025 19:26

I’ve sorted out medicine deliveries and dosette boxes.
Her physical condition is a lot worse than originally known-we got some test results back today and it could be life changing. We will know more after seeing the consultant. It’s no wonder she’s been struggling so much. The outcome of the consultant appointment will guide what help she needs short and long term.
Thank you for all the suggestions, especially those which were with kindness rather than blame.

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ButcherBryd · 19/08/2025 18:17

Start getting some external help in eg cleaner who likes chatting
More chatting, than cleaning

Get a local recommendation for the cleaner

ButcherBryd · 19/08/2025 18:15

Some local pharmacys will deliver medicines free of charge, you just need to fill out a form.
Make some enquiries locally
One less job for you

I did this for a relative when I lived several hours away
Relative liked to chat with the person who made the deliveries

ButcherBryd · 19/08/2025 18:08

Apply this for yourself
Is means tested

www.gov.uk/carers-allowance