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Don't share your feelings with your sister anymore. She obviously isn't compassionate to your care giving role and while I understand your need to reach out for support from a sibling in this situation your sister isn't likely to be receptive to anything you may share about being a caregiver. Seek out other support among other family members, friends, and community.
Good advice because her speaking to her sister will fall on deaf ears which will only become more frustrating to the caregiver. It always made me feel worse when I got ridiculous responses from my siblings. So I stopped calling them.
We all need someone to spew to when caregiving becomes too much but your sister clearly isn't it. This forum is a great place full of people who have been there, done that, it truly kept me sane!
Ditto to what Eyerishlass and cwillie posted. Unfortunately, you can't pick your family. Even though you haven't provided details of who you're caring for and other situational info, please stop to consider that "sometimes feel overwhelmed" will probably eventually turn into "completely overwhelmed" if you are caring for an elderly person who is infirmed or has dementia -- they require more care, not the same or less, as time goes on. You should really start thinking about how to deal with this reality so you don't become burnt out (or broke or sick in some cases -- just read some of the other posts by on this forum). Blessings!
There is a flip side, u don't have to worry about her telling u what to do. And if she does tell her since she doesn't seem to want to be involved in the caregiving keep her opinions to herself.
Consider this. And I say this as the sibling who lives far away—when you vent to your SIL you probably make her feel helpless and leave her wondering what she is supposed to do. I don’t fault you at all for trying to keep her informed but for those of us who don’t live nearby and who can’t just drop everything to help, it is hard to hear the harsh reality of the situation from our siblings who are there dealing with it. All it does is make me stress and worry over something I have no control over and can’t fix. I think you both need to have a mutual understanding here. She needs recognize how hard it is to be in your position and you need to understand how hard it is to be in hers.
So you shouldn't be "stressed and worried" but it's ok if the caregiver is? Maybe, she just needs a kind, listening ear! And there IS something you can do - go relieve her once and a while so she can take a vacation or bring them to your home for a visit so she can get a break.
If your sibling does not want to listen to you, I would ask him or her, could he pay for a caretaker or visit more often so you could attend a support group.
It must be pretty irritating to hear your sibling tell you you're 'insensitive' to tell her your feelings, considering she comes to help out a few times a year! What I'm confused about is why she feels you're being 'insensitive'.........? Does it somehow hurt her feelings to hear you vent? Does it make her feel guilty that she's not doing more to help you out? If you can figure out what is at the root of her statement, perhaps you can then figure out a way to speak to her whereby BOTH of you leave the conversation feeling satisfied.
If not, stop talking to her about your feelings and vent to someone else who has better listening skills.
I think if your sibling visits for a couple of days every few months, she should be willing to take over so you can get a dang break! Then maybe you would not be so overwhelmed. Sounds like she "visits" and still expects you to do everything? Like wait on her too? Maybe she can offer to stay with your family member and you can go to a hotel for a few days and relax. Maybe she can help pay for this? She says you are insensitive,, because she doesn't want to step up? My Aunt takes my mom for a week or so every few months, and we take my Aunt for a week or so in return, so her kids get a break ( she is in better shape, but they still love to be able to not worry about her) We also take her on all our vacations, so her kids can relax a bit. I will say I am an only child, and she has 6 living,, but I am happy to help them, and they are happy to help me!
Tell her to step in your shoes for a few months and then and only then will you accept her criticism as fact. In the meantime I would ask her to either take over the caretaking or pay for one.
I found the same thing with my brother. He comes twice a year and when I would call him to share, he would make a flippant remark and move on. After much prayer, I have forgiven him and realize he can't handle hearing anything or doesn't know what to do with it. So I quit expecting something he either can't or won't give. Either way I'm at peace and get support from others.
As a couple of other folks have mentioned, it is possible she is feeling guilty and does not know how to verbalize it. I too am far away, so far that I can only visit once or twice a year. My sister and I sort of naturally fell into a division of labor so to speak. Her job does not allow her to take calls during the days, while mine does, so I am listed first on the facility’s call list. I handle everything that can be done by phone (when my parents were doing better, this meant solving their crises three to four times per week as they were still able to call me). I also handle all the “business” aspects. My sister does the in person visiting. We both have times when our respective roles overwhelm us. And truthfully, we both have times when we are insensitive to what the other is going through. This is not easy on anyone. Maybe you could find a local support group...search for Alzheimers support groups as a starting point. If one group cannot give what you need, they may be able to recommend another. And come here often where you will always find loving support from people who understand what you are going through. Bless you for all you are doing. Be kind to yourself.
She may not realize what is really happening day to day. The next few days write out EXACTLY what you do for the person you care for. Write it out so that anyone would be able to follow and do your "job". Next time she comes for a visit..you tell her that you are going to visit a friend and here is a schedule that you can follow. Then pick up your over night bag and walk out the door. I think a day doing what you do might make her realize what you face day after day. And to this point do you get time off? You need a break once in a while. So next time you talk to your sibling discuss the need to place your loved one in respite for a week. (If your loved one is on Hospice Medicare pays for 1 week of respite per year)
My one brother could have cared less what I did for my mom. She existed for him to steal money from and I was standing in his way. My other brother thought I was trying to make him feel bad. True to a point. I needed help.
Try to find extra care most out of state siblings seem not to care for what ever the reason. My brother came in cause not was my dads birthday. But I left the two together and had super diem job didn't come back till late. I would have gone to a hotel. Do next time your sibling comes in town go somewhere and don't say where your going. I think me working all day and letting them stay together might have helped his insensitivity. We didn't get to take cause I didn't come home till dark. It may take a few times but whenever they come just leave you need it. ALos get a CNA to help out for s few hours a week they can do chores around the house while you step out and relax some. If you're taking care of a Veteran go to the VA and ask for a CNA it is free of charge. Its not a lot of hours but every little bit helps. Probably should ask for their nurse or Social worker and see what other services they offer. They won't necessarily tell you.. Llook into the Find Care option on this site if not a Veterans family or if you can afford it.
Let visiting sister take over for at least two days (so it includes an overnight) when she is the sole caretaker. A longer time would be better, b/c with just a day or two there would be too many things she could just postpone or ignore until you stepped back in.
If you continue caretaking as usual when sister is visiting, she is not getting the xperience, you are not getting a break, you just have one more person in the house. If your sister has a long enough turn at being responsible, she might be less critical.
Seems out of state sibling may be overwhelmed by your need for emotional support. Don't get mad or saddened by this person's inability to help you. Instead, consider finding support people closer to home: friends/family who will listen or give you a respite for an hour or so, folks from church who will pray with you and for you... and paid help to give you time to attend your own needs. Yes, your needs are just as important as the person you are caring for. If out of state sibling offers to give you "time off" - take it and get away from it all. Let this sibling get the full experience of caregiving. Yes, their caregiving will be different than yours, but your LO should survive and so should your sibling and you.
I think you’re better off talking to the wall than her. On this site, you can always vent. Your sister is the one who is insensitive. & selfish too. Next time when she comes to visit, give her a list of chores to do. Then just leave. Go to movies & lunch with a friend. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. Hugs 🤗
My suggestion: Reach out to your local Senior Services agency and seek help. You can call your local 211 ( or 411) the local information number. Then keep radio silence with that sibling. Siblings sure can be mean. I grew up around friends who had the most callous siblings. I never had any.
I was deeply frustrated by DH's children offering to help - "we're only a phone call and a few hours away" - and when I finally did need them, the answer I got was, "I'll be there in 2 weeks." DH passed 2 weeks later. Talk about too little, too late.
No, I'm not bitter - I'm thankful that I managed as long as DH survived, as a 24/7 Caregiver. Today I owe his children absolutely nothing. I can live with that.
Advice is cheap. Help isn't. Let her think whatever she wants to think. Karma really is a witch. What goes around, comes around.
You just do the best you can and keep coming back here to vent.
It’s difficult when siblings simply don’t understand because they haven’t had the experience. My own ‘vent-worthy’ trial was when I was considering whether mother could move to an AL very close to me, so that frequent visits (even the granddaughters on the way home from school) were easier. Sister said ‘I was just considering my own convenience.’ Ouch! Twenty years and a lot of experience later, that sister is a lot more understanding about the caregiver reality and also the interests of the person being cared for. The other sister did manage a weekend here so that I could go away to a Nature Resort, which was great.
Instead of venting, perhaps you could think of ways that your sister could help. Yes you should go away when she visits, but it shouldn’t be an angry punishment. Could sister fund a caregiver for a weekend or two, between her own visits? Could she field some of the calls, as suggested in other posts? You are in a better position to work out what could help, as sister doesn’t have a clue - how could she? Helping would give each of you something to be grateful for, and help her not to feel angry and guilty. Writing off the relationship isn’t going to help either of you, or your mother. Best wishes, and good luck at a difficult time.
Oh my gosh, I have to say that I literally wanted to scream after I spoke to my siblings. Seriously, I was sorry that I foolishly called them thinking that I would receive support from them. I get it! I just wanted them to understand about how hard it was for me to watch mom deteriorate further daily with Parkinson’s disease. It is heartbreaking! I needed a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen and for them to simply care and be grateful to me for doing all of the heavy lifting!
The first thing out of their mouth was some stupid ‘devil’s advocate’ thing making me out to be the bad guy for even feeling the way I did. What a joke! They are clueless! I would suffer in silence because I stopped calling them after dealing with their crap.
They acted like mom was a queen and I was a servant. They thought that I was supposed to look at caring for her as a privilege. I was supposed to be joyful 100 percent of the time too so mom wouldn’t get upset. That is just not realistic. Yeah, right! Oh but I was supposed to show empathy for whatever crap they told me about. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Now my brother will somewhat see. Mom now lives with him after I burned out. She hired help for him. I was required to do everything because I was female! So nuts! 15 years of my life gone that I can’t ever get back. She’s 94 now so he won’t have her for 15 years like I did.
You know what’s funny? My sibs were always at my house for holiday or Sunday meals! Then hug and kiss mom goodbye. Not even thank me for cooking a fabulous meal. So guess what? I QUIT! I quit all meals for them. Why should I slave in the kitchen for hours on end when they did nothing? What a fool I was.
Funny how they had time for everything else. Their vacations, like I wanted to hear about their cruise at my dinner table while all I did was care for mom and hadn’t had a much needed vacation in a bazillion years.
They made time for their friends, and whatever else they wanted to do, excuses, excuses, excuses! That’s all it was with them. One person can’t do it all. God knows I did it by myself but it nearly killed me!
NeedHelpWithMom, I can't even imagine you preparing a holiday spread for the ungrateful siblings. I understand fully how you could be so angry and it is hard to believe they could be that insensitive. On the other hand, my sisters kids who my parents gave money to all the time and fawned over never once came to see my mother in that nursing home over 4 years and only came to Mom & Dad's house when they were made to by my sister. So when my sister had the aneurysm and stroke, they stopped dropping in totally and never went to the nursing home. I was the only one handling both parents and my husband would help by taking my Dad to some of his doctor appointments while I was checking on my mother and her clothes and whether she was being given enough thickened water at the nursing home. I go to Probate tomorrow for the final meeting which should end Probate. My sister's daughter acts like she can't get off work an hour early to even come to the courthouse to sign the paperwork. Keep in mind that I have handled everything for my parents and even the sale of their house after Mom died last December. They just wait for their half of the check. My niece, who lives with my sister, will say thank you at least from time to time but it seems forced. I have to remember that I did all of this for my parents and glad I was able to do it. Went through the dreaded Medicaid spend down and dealt with audits by social security and Medicaid and was the point person to make decisions. Each time she went to the ER due to falling out of her geriatric chair or "climbing" out of it and got hurt, here I went to meet the EMS at the Emergency Room at the hospital and sat for hours. They don't even acknowledge any of it. Mom was in the hospital for a whole week one time and not one single family member showed up to even visit her! I was so shocked because my mother had done so much for them. It was like the nevere even cared for her at all nor were they appreciative of anything she did for them through the years. So sad. I try not to think about it or I will be/stay bitter about their behavior. What you wrote about your siblings just struck a chord with me and my heart goes out to you. It is hard to forget that stuff too.
I think perhaps she feels guilty, and feels that when you put down your luggage for a moment she must pick it up. Reassure her that you understand how far away she is and that she is trying to help you, but that you need just to be able to let her know your truth. That you don't expect her to be able to fix it. If there are some things you feel she COULD do to help you, why not ask that directly. She can only say no. And you can only say you either do or do not understand her inability to help you.
I see no evidence that the out of town sister is trying to help, maybe I missed a follow up? Yes, Op should ask direct help:
1. Handling bills, meds, etc. 2. If mom is short on money, help with paying for caregiver. OP should not have to do it all. 3. Research caregiver groups that OP can go to 4. Visit to give OP a vacation. Even a staycation. 5. And listen. OP should remind her sister that she has to listen to moms complaints, it is out of town sister who is being insensitive.
Here’s what the OP says about her sister. “My sibling thinks it’s insensitive of me to tell her I am sometimes overwhelmed.”
That pretty much says it all, point blank. Don’t even have to read between the lines on that statement. The out of town sibling is treating her sister like she is a burden and uninterested in hearing about anything because she doesn’t want to be uncomfortable. She’s not concerned about the discomfort of her caregiver sister.
How terribly sad that the OP doesn’t receive any compassion, understanding or support from her sibling. Then the OP goes on to ask this forum for advice.
I doubt seriously that her sibling will show any indication of being thoughtful or even grateful to her for being mom’s caregiver.
Let me tell everyone how it truly is since I was the caregiver sister for a bazillion years. My siblings treated me the same way. It’s so common for one child to do it all. The caregiver is doing everything for their mom, but the out of town sibling feels that it is a burden just to listen to her talk about it. Wow! Kind of says it all, doesn’t it?
How about the sister saying something like, ‘I sincerely wish that I could help but being so far away I can’t do anything.’ Anything like that would be sweet to say and then the caregiver wouldn’t feel so alone as a caregiver. I felt horribly alone because I was alone!
My siblings never failed to show up if they were invited for a meal that I cooked or money from mom. Some of us have truly pathetic siblings.
No it doesn’t say it all. You are all speculation and making very broad assumptions based on that one sentence. As the out of state sibling, I can honestly say that the sentence you quote does not say much of anything at all.
Seek out a caregiver support group if you can. I don’t mean just to vent. Venting is good but you need real help. You may see solutions that others came up with and can implement some of those ideas in caring for your mom. I hope so.
Also therapy if possible. Does mom have money to pay for a caregiver so you can tend to these things? Your sister hasn’t shown concern for you so seek support elsewhere. That is what I had to do.
People on this forum will be here as much as we can be. This forum was and is a great support to me. The social worker that I work with is very helpful to me. The social worker that led the support group once a month helped some too. She called me In between meetings which I wasn’t expecting. She was very kind.
I totally understand that you feel overwhelmed at times. For the record I don’t feel you are being insensitive at all. I do feel that your sister is being insensitive though for not allowing you to express your feelings to her. That is the very least that she could do.
If she ever needs you, you can turn the tables on her and let her see how it feels not having you to listen. Or you can listen and hopefully she will see that she should have been kind enough to listen to you.
“Walk a mile in my shoes “. I’m an only. But I have a cousin who is the only sibling living in the same city as her parents. My cousin has 3 siblings. They are all so willing to let her be the one on call, the weekly visitor , their parents are 85 and 82. No dementia in either. I’ve told my cousin who lives close to them, that her siblings will need to help her, if and when the time comes. Which eventually it will. She agrres
Thanks for showing that even if we have siblings most of the time one child does it all, therefore carrying the entire load alone. It’s precisely the same as being an only child, maybe a bit worse because only children don’t have siblings constantly criticizing them. I once saw an only child post on this forum that they were glad they didn’t have siblings after reading about rotten siblings. Truly sad situation.
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If not, stop talking to her about your feelings and vent to someone else who has better listening skills.
Good luck!
The next few days write out EXACTLY what you do for the person you care for.
Write it out so that anyone would be able to follow and do your "job".
Next time she comes for a visit..you tell her that you are going to visit a friend and here is a schedule that you can follow.
Then pick up your over night bag and walk out the door.
I think a day doing what you do might make her realize what you face day after day.
And to this point do you get time off? You need a break once in a while. So next time you talk to your sibling discuss the need to place your loved one in respite for a week. (If your loved one is on Hospice Medicare pays for 1 week of respite per year)
My brother came in cause not was my dads birthday. But I left the two together and had super diem job didn't come back till late. I would have gone to a hotel. Do next time your sibling comes in town go somewhere and don't say where your going. I think me working all day and letting them stay together might have helped his insensitivity. We didn't get to take cause I didn't come home till dark.
It may take a few times but whenever they come just leave you need it.
ALos get a CNA to help out for s few hours a week they can do chores around the house while you step out and relax some.
If you're taking care of a Veteran go to the VA and ask for a CNA it is free of charge. Its not a lot of hours but every little bit helps. Probably should ask for their nurse or Social worker and see what other services they offer. They won't necessarily tell you..
Llook into the Find Care option on this site if not a Veterans family or if you can afford it.
If you continue caretaking as usual when sister is visiting, she is not getting the xperience, you are not getting a break, you just have one more person in the house. If your sister has a long enough turn at being responsible, she might be less critical.
I was deeply frustrated by DH's children offering to help - "we're only a phone call and a few hours away" - and when I finally did need them, the answer I got was, "I'll be there in 2 weeks." DH passed 2 weeks later. Talk about too little, too late.
No, I'm not bitter - I'm thankful that I managed as long as DH survived, as a 24/7 Caregiver. Today I owe his children absolutely nothing. I can live with that.
Advice is cheap. Help isn't. Let her think whatever she wants to think. Karma really is a witch. What goes around, comes around.
You just do the best you can and keep coming back here to vent.
Instead of venting, perhaps you could think of ways that your sister could help. Yes you should go away when she visits, but it shouldn’t be an angry punishment. Could sister fund a caregiver for a weekend or two, between her own visits? Could she field some of the calls, as suggested in other posts? You are in a better position to work out what could help, as sister doesn’t have a clue - how could she? Helping would give each of you something to be grateful for, and help her not to feel angry and guilty. Writing off the relationship isn’t going to help either of you, or your mother. Best wishes, and good luck at a difficult time.
The first thing out of their mouth was some stupid ‘devil’s advocate’ thing making me out to be the bad guy for even feeling the way I did. What a joke! They are clueless! I would suffer in silence because I stopped calling them after dealing with their crap.
They acted like mom was a queen and I was a servant. They thought that I was supposed to look at caring for her as a privilege. I was supposed to be joyful 100 percent of the time too so mom wouldn’t get upset. That is just not realistic. Yeah, right! Oh but I was supposed to show empathy for whatever crap they told me about. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Now my brother will somewhat see. Mom now lives with him after I burned out. She hired help for him. I was required to do everything because I was female! So nuts! 15 years of my life gone that I can’t ever get back. She’s 94 now so he won’t have her for 15 years like I did.
You know what’s funny? My sibs were always at my house for holiday or Sunday meals! Then hug and kiss mom goodbye. Not even thank me for cooking a fabulous meal. So guess what? I QUIT! I quit all meals for them. Why should I slave in the kitchen for hours on end when they did nothing? What a fool I was.
Funny how they had time for everything else. Their vacations, like I wanted to hear about their cruise at my dinner table while all I did was care for mom and hadn’t had a much needed vacation in a bazillion years.
They made time for their friends, and whatever else they wanted to do, excuses, excuses, excuses! That’s all it was with them. One person can’t do it all. God knows I did it by myself but it nearly killed me!
So, I am sending you a million hugs!
One final word, KARMA!
1. Handling bills, meds, etc.
2. If mom is short on money, help with paying for caregiver. OP should not have to do it all.
3. Research caregiver groups that OP can go to
4. Visit to give OP a vacation. Even a staycation.
5. And listen. OP should remind her sister that she has to listen to moms complaints, it is out of town sister who is being insensitive.
That pretty much says it all, point blank. Don’t even have to read between the lines on that statement. The out of town sibling is treating her sister like she is a burden and uninterested in hearing about anything because she doesn’t want to be uncomfortable. She’s not concerned about the discomfort of her caregiver sister.
How terribly sad that the OP doesn’t receive any compassion, understanding or support from her sibling. Then the OP goes on to ask this forum for advice.
I doubt seriously that her sibling will show any indication of being thoughtful or even grateful to her for being mom’s caregiver.
Let me tell everyone how it truly is since I was the caregiver sister for a bazillion years. My siblings treated me the same way. It’s so common for one child to do it all. The caregiver is doing everything for their mom, but the out of town sibling feels that it is a burden just to listen to her talk about it. Wow! Kind of says it all, doesn’t it?
How about the sister saying something like, ‘I sincerely wish that I could help but being so far away I can’t do anything.’ Anything like that would be sweet to say and then the caregiver wouldn’t feel so alone as a caregiver. I felt horribly alone because I was alone!
My siblings never failed to show up if they were invited for a meal that I cooked or money from mom. Some of us have truly pathetic siblings.
Seek out a caregiver support group if you can. I don’t mean just to vent. Venting is good but you need real help. You may see solutions that others came up with and can implement some of those ideas in caring for your mom. I hope so.
Also therapy if possible. Does mom have money to pay for a caregiver so you can tend to these things? Your sister hasn’t shown concern for you so seek support elsewhere. That is what I had to do.
People on this forum will be here as much as we can be. This forum was and is a great support to me. The social worker that I work with is very helpful to me. The social worker that led the support group once a month helped some too. She called me In between meetings which I wasn’t expecting. She was very kind.
I totally understand that you feel overwhelmed at times. For the record I don’t feel you are being insensitive at all. I do feel that your sister is being insensitive though for not allowing you to express your feelings to her. That is the very least that she could do.
If she ever needs you, you can turn the tables on her and let her see how it feels not having you to listen. Or you can listen and hopefully she will see that she should have been kind enough to listen to you.
This is terribly disappointing, but unfortunately common.