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Anyone else dealing with an ailing elderly parent who is difficult?


Posted: Jul 15, 2016

My mother has terminal cancer.  She wants to continue to live in her home and take care of her finances and medications, but she is on such high doses of pain medications now that she is confused at least half the time.  She gets verbally abusive when we try to convince her to do things differently than she wants...things for her own safety, etc.  The only way to escape it is to do things her way.  She is putting herself in danger of taking the wrong medication at the wrong time, which may have already happened once, and making a mistake writing checks for bills.  She doesn't live near any relatives even though two of my siblings have offered to have her move near them so they can help her.  She has home health aides right now, but wants to cancel or reduce the time they are there. She has hospice help as well, but refuses most of their advice and complains about them constantly. My older siblings have been handling things up to now but have recently asked me to get more involved because they are frustrated.  I talked to a hospice nurse yesterday and she said this kind of thing happens many times, so I thought I'd reach out and see if anyone else has gone through or is going through this type of situation.     

;

I feel your pain - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
It is extremely frustrating, and you are an angel for trying to help out now. Your siblings are on their last legs.

My situation was different--we had an Alzheimer's elderly with us for a few years and were stressed to the max, perhaps in a different way.

I think your mother's reaction is probably due to feeling she is losing (or has lost) control over her life and this is her way of gaining control.

As far as the paperwork and bills, I would have all her mail forwarded to one of your houses, and somehow figure out how to take over the bills, etc. Someone may need to become her legal guardian, and for sure, at the very least, needs to become her Power of Attorney. This means she CAN write her own checks, but so can someone else. Problem is, she has to agree to it.

Wish I had a better answer, but I would stay in close touch with the hospice social workers. They are angels.

Try getting a financial POA - anonie

[ In Reply To ..]
Try to get a financial POA so that you can tell her that you will sign your name under hers or something like that. I would have her at least let you check it for her before she sends it. They do put late charges on some things if she has not paid the correct amount or they might even cut off some service she needs.

I would imagine this is her way of rebelling against what life has dealt her. It has to be hard to let go when you know you are dying as opposed to immediate death.

My mother and I made a durable POA so I could take over for her when she was no longer able. That meant her health and finances and selling her house. She had a stroke and could not sign the contract.

I hated to do that but I had no choice. That was my home as well since I was 6 years old.

None of this is easy nor pleasant, but you will do the right thing even if your mother doesn't believe so or believes you are interfering.

May God grant you the wisdom to know what to do so you can enjoy her remaining time.

Helpful suggestions - Sue

[ In Reply To ..]
The ideas presented by the previous 2 posters are excellent. Wish I had some to offer, but know that you are not alone out there (I sent you an email message). Best wishes.

See Message - Backwoods Typist

[ In Reply To ..]
Look at it from your mom's side. She is dying, and is likely going through the stages of grief and on top of this, fighting to keep what little bit of independence or say-so she has left. She may be bitter overall for how things are playing out, as she may have had other ideas for how she would leave this world. Losing one's independence is a bitter pill to swallow, no matter who you are. She may be scared too. Who knows what about, but she could be.

My grandmother is in her 90s and just sold her car, which I know was a hard decision for her. She still does okay, but it is becoming apparent that it will not be long that someone will need to be with her.

Eventually, it may come down to determining whether or not she is still capable of of making her own decisions, and it may be that she is deemed not able to due to the high doses of pain medications, etc. that alter her ability to think clearly. The narcotics/opiates could also be altering her perception as well. You may also have to be blunt and just ask her why she is so ugly to everybody that is trying to help her (without being confrontational, and when you know she is lucid).

Above all, make sure your mom understands that you are there for her, love her and that you will not leave or pass her on to someone else. There seems to be a combination of factors going on, but put yourself in her place and see how you would feel. Don't take it too personal when she is demanding. As her condition deteriorates, she will soon realize just what you and the nurses are there for, and may change her attitude.

I am very sorry to hear of your mom's prognosis and I know it is difficult. I lost my uncle a few months ago to pancreatic cancer, and it was so hard to watch him go down. I prayed so hard for a miracle. He was such a gentle soul, and was so grateful to have his family around and to be shown such love while he was so sick. I still grieve and have a large hole in my heart, but I feel blessed to have known and loved, and been loved by, such a wonderful man.

I pray for you to have some peace, to have strength, and to have clarity of mind to deal with this situation. Much love to you and family.

I need a tissue now....*sniff*

Thank you all! - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you all so much for your suggestions, kind words, and prayers. I was really feeling like I needed a little support group and you were there for me.

Best of Luck - It is not easy

[ In Reply To ..]
I would not recommend asking her why she is so "ugly." That is one fast way for her to get on the defensive and feel even worse about her situation. I would phrase it as "Why are wanting to be hurtful to those who love you?" If she's always been a decent person, this will help her step back. We don't know what kind of person she was before all this, but if she was a mean person before this, that's not something you can change and you will have to accept you can't change it.

Sometimes support helps us think more clearly and come up with creative ways to do things that need to be done.

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