My mother who had routine cataract eye surgery, a better nine years ago, tragically lost her eyesight. I was, for a lack of better terms, butchered.
Since that time, she has lost her independence such as driving, walking safely, cooking, etc. She has become depressed and dependent. My Mom is 80 years old. I am the youngest of three. My oldest sister who was good for MAYBE three calls on the phone a year (who lived 14 minutes away from my parents). The Middle sibling, who loved Heroin more than raising her sons, left and ran off with a crumb bum 12 years ago. Popping in and out, door knocking on the front door of my parents, calling at 4 am in the morning in her psychosis, showing up in unannounced, etc. This has taken a toll on both my parents. I was (for 14 years) my mother “gate keeper“ playing the role to my mother as husband, care giver, therapist, taxi driver, life coach, hair dresser, mentor. I have been conditioned to be that person long time ago when I was a very small girl. Since my mother’s lost eyesight (left eye) she has grown more dependent. More insecure. My kids went to the neighboring school so my parents’ home has always been “home base“ for every national holiday, every weekend and just about every day was at my parents.
My mom would come to my house for sleepovers, “coffee talk “, we would fold clothes, etc. I would make her breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After a day or two sometimes three, she would make her way back home. After dropping her off we would still be on the phone at least two to three more times.
Yes co - dependency at its best! My mother has had two eventful falls in one years’ time. Which required surgeries, hospital stays, then rehab at home with me renting equipment (her cost), taking a leave from work, and sleeping at her home away from my husband to nurse her back. I also organized PT, OT, grooming, bathing, food prep, shopping, and cleanup.
Malingering with a long 7-year lawsuit due to the malpractice done to her eye and loss of vision. That 7 years required being the middleman between mom, Drs and the attorneys’ emails communications and meetings when needed. Then translating this to my mother all that it in detailed. This went on for 7 years. As of result I had to Step away from my position at a school i worked for beings the four failed corneal transplants and other surgical procedures and specialist appointments I needed to be present for and to also transport for. By the way, my father is living AND lives in the home with mom. He has always taken a back seat. All to open the “check book “when needed for her. That’s it - I am a mother of two children. A wife. And now running a small practice of my own.
may present over this past 14 months. The “black sheep“ the daughter who has abused drugs , abandoned her teenaged children along her self-involved stupor, has groomed her way back into my mother’s home . In the past 12 months upon the passing of my mother in law, my mother further cognitively declining has now been given the cool aid that her poor drug addicted - master manipulating lost daughter was being kept, bullied , pumped and forced to do drive ( LIES)
she has verbally assaulted me attempted physical assaulted me. Was getting high and carrying on the first six months of her invited stay at my parents, had the local PR take her out of the home. We cleaned house. Then 3 1/2 weeks later, faked an injury and got herself back into the home. Took down every picture of my family in the home. Changed the outgoing voicemail to her voice in the home. Hovers over my mom like a wild dog protecting its newborn baby from a predator. Lies. She has isolated and intimidated both my parents to the point my mother has stopped calling me and will not go out in the car with me. She has handed over all her care to this beast
My mother turned against me. I am their POA. Help! My heart is gutted.
You are not responsible for people who refuse help, and to continue to put yourself in harms way will not only be hurting yourself but your family (husband and children). They need you more than these declining people do. I know some people have this idea that they will finally get the approval from their narcissistic elderly parents by sacrificing all for them. Trust me, you won't. BTDT
My opinion: Leave your immediate family alone. The POA means absolutely nothing in this case. People will use who they can use and respect those who they can't use. In this case, there is no respect. Without respect, there is no relationship. What I learned if a client is fighting me tooth and nail, disregarding their care plan, I can't help them. What people fail to realize is that care plans are legal documents. I learned this tidbit of advice this year.
2. You know you need to choose yourself … your husband…. And your children over this clearly manipulative dysfunctional mother and sister.
3. You having POA means nothing ~ POA is given by an individual and can be revoked by the individual who gave it to you at anytime. Only court appointed conservatorship (control over financial decisions) & guardianship (control over care) wields any authority. Only a judge can appoint and revoke this responsibility.
4. If you insist on staying involved- (which I Dont recommend) get an attorney, have them petition the court for guardianship and conservatorship. You will have to prove your mother is incapable of her own management of her affairs - your mother may scream how she wants your sister instead of you… but the court does a complete background investigation on all parties and with your sister’s history the court will never grant her guardianship/conservatorship ~
5. If you cant prove your mother is incompetent ~ then take that as her own desire to engage in this manipulative dysfunction with your sister and remember that is HER CHOICE ~
6. Winning 1st place here over your sister should not be your goal. Your health, your family should be your goal and deep down your aught to know this. Your sister is here! Yay! Give her the reins and enjoy your freedom. At the very least use this time to strengthen yourself and your family for the inevitable fall of your mother and sisters ‘relationship’ for there will probably be a time when their honeymoon period is over.
Read the legal document and WHEN your POA duties became effectual.
Get legal council as what your duties are.
If both your parents live independently in their own home and invited your sister
there is not much you can do about it,
It usually is all about The Almighty $$$$$$
Good luck
Confer with an Elder Law Attorney ASAP , for your and your parents help. This is very complex and will require professional support and guidance from both Elder Law, Social Services, other counseling ( faith based and/ or secular).
You can also at anytime make a call
( anonymously if you like) to APS ( Adult Protective Services) and report the status in the parents house. APS will make a visit and assess.
Since you identify yourself as the POA, be sure that all appropriate documents attesting to this are in place with you.
You will do yourself a favor if you will contact an Elder Law Attorney and at least have an initial consult meeting.
Two CNAS contacted elder affairs to tell them my mom was being abused by her live in caregiver & they did nothing.
Their solution was that the live in caregiver couldn’t be there when the CNAS were there. So there’s still abuse but no one to report it
Elderly affairs does nothing to help & neither does the police. Laws must change to hold these types of people accountable!
It’s all about control, manipulation & greed
Next time she goes to E.R. do not let her come back to your home allow her to go to a facility. Tell them it is not safe at your home, you are not there to supervise her.
Sibling needs to be out - not easy had to do it myself - I threatened Sheriff Department - he was gone within a week.
put hurt feelings aside, she sounds a bit unbalanced so don't take this personally.
I was in your shoes. My brother was an addict (now deceased) and caused our family so much grief.
I was the ‘reliable’ child who cared for my parents. My mother required lots of care too.
Our parents do go through anxiety and depression when their world is turned upside down. Our lives become consumed by their needs. It’s hard on them and hard on us.
I ended up in therapy because my anxiety level reached an all time high. I became depressed as well. Have you spoken to a therapist about your feelings? It does help.
Do you wish to remain as their POA and their caregiver. Could they move into an assisted living facility?
What would you like to see happen?
Wishing you and your family all the best.