Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Elderly parents

Need to vent, they've sent Live in carer home after less than a week!

10 replies

booboo57 · 02/09/2025 17:43

93 yr old FIL and his new wife (NW) of 3 years 85 are doing our head in. He has terminal cancer and although at deaths door a few weeks ago has rallied significantly and is currently mobile although has significant cognitive issues. She is frail with very painful hip and knee which means she struggles with stairs in their 4 storey house, not all with it and an alcoholic in denial. For the last few months the have had 4 carers' visits per day to check on them both, that he was up, fed, watered, medications taken, etc etc. She kept sending them away, "nothing for them to do", "too late for dinner," or too early to get him up etc. Also moaned to me that they had stolen 2 tins of tomatoes(!), ruined the washing/didn't do the washing, etc etc. So we thought a live-in would be good as they could work with their timetable.
The other main reason for carers is that NW has been found on many occasions unarousable due to drink, has falls in drink etc. So the carers can at least check the basic care has been done and medications taken.
Today they have both decided they don't like the live in carer as he leaves lights on, hasn't done all the ironing and is always on his phone.
When I challenged her today that he is there in case she is incapable through drink, she denied it ever happens. I usually handle her with kid gloves, but I just snapped and lost my temper and listed all the times in the last month or so when she was incapable and she called me a fucking liar!
This in front of the Carer, Carer's Manager and my husband all of whom agreed re her drinking.
Upshot is FIL in a burst of energy not seen from him in a while, threw us all out the house, sent carer packing and has said quite firmly that NW will look after him.
We've left them to it BUT I feel really bad that I lost my temper and also worried something catastrophic will happen.
Thank you for reading, not sure why I posted, but feel a bit better now.

OP posts:
Coldnightsapproachingwhereismyduvet · 02/09/2025 17:47

Step back. Let dh deal with them.
When they don't have you fixing everything they might see sense
.

Octavia64 · 02/09/2025 17:48

I also have an alcoholic parent.

she lives firmly in denial.

i don‘t really bother yo be honest. I see her, but I’m not prepared to try to convince her to look after herself.

Makehaysunshine · 02/09/2025 17:51

Leave them to it. Save your own sanity.

IDontKeepChickensButBelieveTheyExist · 02/09/2025 17:53

Leave them to it, check in on them with a call or whatever, but let them live their own way.

I’d be concerned the the surge in energy is ‘the rally’ that comes shortly before death tbh, but all you can do is leave them to it.

Does she have children? I’m just wondering when FIL does go, is she going to still be your problem?

BatchCookBabe · 02/09/2025 17:56

As above, give them a wide berth. If they're 85-93, you can't exactly be a spring chicken yourself @booboo57 (In your 60s maybe?) At this stage of life you should be taking care of your own health. (Physical and mental health.)

They have a 4 storey house?! They need to sell and move to a bungalow - or if it's rented, get them on the council list.

I don't think I have known any alcoholics in their mid 80s before! They don't usually live to that age!

Good luck!

bestbefore · 02/09/2025 17:58

Definitely leave them to it. You can only do so much. Though i would say to the FIL to call if you are needed. (Well your DH)

booboo57 · 02/09/2025 18:21

Thank you for all your support.
I am well supported by FIL family, DH works full time as a driver (so can't take calls at work) and I'm retired so I am the on call. His daughter is also very supportive but due to other family issues has full time care of 8 year old Granddaughter and is also working full time. My daughter helps out when she can too.
The carers were a family decision to help me back off and I will still do so.
Her family (nephew and niece) are distant, the nearest about 1 hour away but not that involved. I will be ringing them tonight.
Need to go for some self care now

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 02/09/2025 20:48

I think tbh at 93, every day is borrowed time really? I’d let it be. He will go at some point but he’s clearly saying he wants to carry on with things as they are.

My partners’ mum thought her live in carer was wonderful for about 6 days, then the rot set in and by the end of the month she was horrible to her and terminated the arrangement. I did rather feel for both of them, it isn’t easy to have someone in the house, but also feel for the carer. Not an easy job,

MickGeorge22 · 02/09/2025 20:54

BatchCookBabe · 02/09/2025 17:56

As above, give them a wide berth. If they're 85-93, you can't exactly be a spring chicken yourself @booboo57 (In your 60s maybe?) At this stage of life you should be taking care of your own health. (Physical and mental health.)

They have a 4 storey house?! They need to sell and move to a bungalow - or if it's rented, get them on the council list.

I don't think I have known any alcoholics in their mid 80s before! They don't usually live to that age!

Good luck!

I work for a charity for the elderly and we have a specific project to support elderly alcoholics ! Believe me there are plenty ! The project has never been busier.

booboo57 · 02/09/2025 22:31

Feeling a bit hypocritical as my self care has been about half a pint of Baileys! I rarely drink but really needed it tonight.
Can't get over the hurt at the moment but a few days break will help.
People ask what have you learnt for your own life. Get POAs organised early. Downsize before you have to. Stay close to your family. Maintain a social circle by making younger friends. Thanks again for the support.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page