Caring For Aging Parents Support Group
Caring for aging parents can be a difficul time as we become the caretakers for our parents. This broad responsibility can encompass such services as assisted living, adult day care, long term care, nursing homes, hospice care, and in-home care. Whether you have just started caring for your parents or just need a place to talk, we're here.
I never got to fully recover from emotional exhaustion when mom was in hospital. Then was recovering at home. One thing after another emotionally difficult after that. Now aircondition unit in backyard is dead. She says it would cost about four thousand dollars to get new airconditioning. Has to be quote from brother. He won't let her buy anything but the best. I dont know if they can do a room airconditioner in her windows. No portable one. Brother wont dump drain pan. So that means me going over there. With central air guy and let him put in new system. A use moms check to pay. And having mom yelling the whole time. We can do with out central air. A fan is good enough. I cant afford this. And brother angry and yelling. About money being spent or the company I picked is trash. Also take an hour and a half just to drive to moms. Dreading the confrontation all the way. Extremely emotionally draining. Especially when still mostly emotionaly wiped out. No one else to help me with this. Just me.
Also, we had our heat pump replaced, and four grand isn't the worst price. I got a good unit with rebate from state for energy efficiency program, and it was pretty easy to get about half our money back---so fi the brother gets yelling, you can always see if there's something like that to alleviate money worries?
Sorry to seem so pragmatic, but honestly, it's how I am trying to stay sane myself lately. Summer here is pretty nasty, and because age affects the body's temperature regulating abilities, I'm facing the annual A/C-furnace check to make sure my mom will be comfortable.
Of course, you can always just tell brother to deal with it if he's got all the answers.... I've been tempted to do that with a few of my in-laws.
Get some rest, okay? Self-care or we can't other-care.
Gentle support,
Leo
Make it THEIR problem.
If they handle it OK then praise them for it and encourage them to solve more of their problems on their own.
If they handle it poorly then you can choose to dish out the "I told you so" line (none of us would condemn you for that!!!) or you could try to turn it into a learning moment for them.
Gentle hugs