Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU To never speak to this man ever again

49 replies

derxa · 07/08/2015 10:54

My dad has died this morning. He has been in hospital for two weeks for end of life care. In the past few months his neighbour has been his carer. I have been up at the family home for weeks on and off. The HV advised me that it was no longer possible for him to be cared for at home. The NDN said that I was putting him in the hospital to die.

OP posts:
Petridish · 07/08/2015 10:56

So sorry ThanksThanksThanks

Your neighbour is a rude and cruel pratt.

MummaGiles · 07/08/2015 10:57

So sorry for your loss. That is an awful thing for the NDN to say and if you don't want to speak to them then don't but I'm sure everyone's emotions were (and still are) running very high. Keep some space between you for now but never say never.

GloGirl · 07/08/2015 11:00

Emotions running high indeed. After the care your NDN has shown your DF, try not to fall out with him.

Give yourself some space and try not to deal with him for now Flowers

Original poster
derxa · 07/08/2015 11:02

Thanks Petri. I think you're right Mumma, emotions do run high at these times. I'm posting on MN to get reasoned impartial advice.

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 07/08/2015 11:04

I'm so sorry your dad died.

Flowers for you.

Was there a financial reason why his neighbour wanted him to stay at home? He was really cruel to say that to you. The fact was your poor dad was going to die anyway and if hospital was the best place for him, then that's where he had to go. Horrible, horrible thing for him to say to you.

Original poster
derxa · 07/08/2015 11:13

Yes Imperial. My dad was dishing out cheques willy nilly (He was 92 and quite muddled. Over a 9 month period, he gave the NDN £10.000.

OP posts:
limitedperiodonly · 07/08/2015 11:14

I'm so sorry about your dad.

Try to ignore what the neighbour said. People often say or think these things, particularly if they're elderly. Some people fear being put in 'a home' to die and feel it is a family's duty to care until the end. That sometimes works out but the reality is that many people are more comfortable in hospital. But you can't shake people of that idea.

You did exactly the right thing. Your dad could have suffered if you had tried to soldier on with him at home or letting the neighbour care for him, especially if he or she is elderly and can't do practical tasks such as turning and washing or administering drugs.

In the event, your dad got much better practical care than you could give him. Your job was to love him, which I'm sure you did.

I hope he had a good death - IYSWIM. Be kind to yourself Flowers

Original poster
derxa · 07/08/2015 11:18

My dad was 92. The NDN is fit and in his sixties. Thanks for advice limited
Dx

OP posts:
limitedperiodonly · 07/08/2015 11:20

Oh, just read your post about the money. Did the neighbour give it back?

Maybe they did, but other people aren't as honest and they have a sixth sense for vulnerable people.

It's not just about the money. Someone like your dad can't be trusted to be safe at home. My dad was like yours but 20 years younger and he had my mum around to protect and care for him. Caring for him at home to the end exhausted her though.

Original poster
derxa · 07/08/2015 11:23

No he didn't give the money back and I don't expect him to.

OP posts:
Micah · 07/08/2015 11:24

Does he have strong beliefs/wishes to die at home?

Many people want to die at home rather than in a hospital. Some believe admission to hospital "to die" means being left in a hospital bed largely ignored by staff and family. Family "offloading" rather than doing the caring themselves. Not saying that's what you did, every circumstance and disease path is different. But I know my mums generation often see hospital EOL care that way.

Home care might be your NDN choice, and his belief that it is "better" is projecting on to your dad and your choice.

Wait till things are less raw. If you believe he's stolen from a non-competent elderly man though you should seek legal advice.

Sorry about your dad.

limitedperiodonly · 07/08/2015 11:30

Oh God. I've lost all sympathy. I was imagining that maybe the neighbour was a close friend of the same generation. He's not and 60ish is not old and muddled.

Never speak to him again. Call the police if you feel up to it. IME the police take that sort of abuse very seriously, probably because they have to deal with it all the time.

ImperialBlether was very on-the-ball to zero in on that.

Original poster
derxa · 07/08/2015 11:30

I know Micah. My dad did want to die at home but he had so many infirmities. The hospital was a small cottage hospital just 5 minutes down the road with brilliant staff. It meant that I could spend a quiet hour or so with him every day. I don't believe the NDN stole but as my dad said, 'He likes the money!'

OP posts:
debbriana · 07/08/2015 11:30

I see where your coming from but at the same time I understand your ndn. My dp was so scared of his mother ending up in hospital that they had panics every now and then. The fear that they were not strong enough to cope with the hospital environment. The stemmed from the mother not trusting hospitals and having a phobia of sleeping in hospitals.
The worst thing was that when she did go into hospital she didn't come back and that hasn't made his life easy. He blames himself even though his mother was 86.
Maybe not talk to the ndn now but don't deny him funerals if they want to. It may help with closure for them too for them.

wafflyversatile · 07/08/2015 11:32

He's been so caring over months and a lot of people hate the idea of dying in hospital even when it's for the best . He's a connection to your dad too. I would have a rant on here and not fall out with him.

wafflyversatile · 07/08/2015 11:34

Missed the money post, but think my post still stands.

Original poster
derxa · 07/08/2015 11:38

debbriana I won't deny anyone going to the funeral. It will likely be a massive turnout. However I don't know what to say at the funeral to him.
That is the nub of it. I've left him a message on his answering phone to inform him of the death.
waffly He's not a connection to my dad. There are hundreds of people here who symbolise that connection more than him. He's been endlessly rude to me over the past months. My dad was a farmer and the NDN was strutting about as if he owned the place. He has looked after my dad and for that I am grateful.

OP posts:
Rowgtfc72 · 07/08/2015 11:43
Flowers My dad died in hospital this time last year. I knew he was safe there but its not where he wanted to be. Dads next door neighbour is just home from hospital and really shouldn't be there, she isn't safe. The older generation have a fear of hospitals. You know you did the best for your dad, neighbour knows he did the best for your dad. I would be polite with him and not fall out.
LadyCuntingtonThe3rd · 07/08/2015 11:45

FlowersFlowersFlowers

If my dad would give that much money to neighbour, I'd be taking said neighbour to court.

FarFromAnyRoad · 07/08/2015 11:55

Sorry for your sad loss OP - difficult time for you Flowers

I am in absolute agreement with the good LadyCuntington. Please think carefully about this - or get some impartial advice. Not now - you have enough to think about - but later.

dodobookends · 07/08/2015 12:20

So sorry for your loss.

Does the NDN have a key to your dad's house? If so, I would be getting it back pronto.

debbriana · 07/08/2015 12:23

If you have I formed him that is enough really on your side. Whether he comes or not that is his problem. You don't have to talk to him.
Based on your last post I hope he didn't make your dad change the will to suit him.

I don't know how you can deal with money he has taken.

From thinking about this again. I can see my family and dp family if we were in a similar position ignoring him. It's like thinking about whit would be morally right with what would be beneficial. To your family keeping him out sounds like it would be best.

Original poster
derxa · 07/08/2015 12:26

Row Flowers Sorry for your loss. It's a difficult time and a mixture of emotions.
LadyCuntington and dodo I'm not worried about the money it's the fact that he made my life so difficult.

OP posts:
GloGirl · 07/08/2015 12:27

If you can, arrange someone to meet a locksmith at the house and get all the important paperwork out and change the locks. ASAP.

debbriana · 07/08/2015 12:28

My dp's niece who was estranged from the family and was known as a trouble maker was allowed to come to his grandmothers funeral. She kept her distance from everyone including her father. I can't say the same for your ndn. He maybe one of those pushy people who think they have the right even though your only doing it for the sake of your father. Just don't make ndn take any more advantage by saying this is what your father would have wanted.

Swipe left for the next trending thread