Follow
Share

Asking for some advice- not sure what to do.
Moved in with my 78 year old grandmother after my grandfather passed away 8 months ago. My fiance and I have a 15 month old daughter.
Didn’t realize my grandmother had early dementia, but now starting to think that is our main issue.
Since we moved in she has been very firm with us about not being able to change anything in the house. Thought it was just grief and being attached to things but now realize it’s a bigger problem.
Biggest problem is her not understanding that a lot of things we were asking had to do with the safety of our daughter (Can you please keep the cup of candy on a high shelf and not the coffee table so she can’t grab them and choke?) So when she said no, we were very upset about it. Thinking it’s dementia since any normal person would understand that.
I’ve been a lot better with her recently, but she’s holding it against me that I wasn’t nice to her in the beginning.
I don’t want to keep damaging my relationship with my fiance because of this.
Things have been slightly better, but not sure if they will improve more or not.
Should we put more time/money into the house or just move out now?
In such debate.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
You might have been well intentioned but you were wrong by moving in with an elderly grief stricken woman while you have a Toddler.
Was it more a chance to get low rent? Because it doesn't seem to be in the best interest of Grandma.
But, If Grandma is having health issues, have you taken her to the doctor? Is she in need of a caregiver? Have you set up anything that is for HER benefit since you moved into HER home?
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
ElizabethC1122 Apr 15, 2024
We moved in because both her and my grandfather before he died wanted us to, to help her.
Curious why it is not in her best interest?
She has vision problems and I do take her to her eye doctors. We buy her some of her groceries when we can, have dinner with her (cooked or takeout), do things around the house to help take care of it. We help her with issues she may have on the computer and stuff.
She doesn’t need a caretaker exactly but needs help. If we didnt provide dinners not sure she would eat, she forgets to often and has lost a significant amount of weight (I’m sure that’s stress and grief too)
Ive been trying to spend more time one on one with her, ask her to do things together. She always seems to be busy doing something and never has time for me and that hurts.
But you’re right, I need to do more things for her benefit ! Didn’t think of that- will try.
(0)
Report
Your Grandmother & your Toddler have different care needs. (Well in truth, some may be the same, supervision, company, helping bathe & dress..) BUT it may be too hard on you to keep everyone safe.

What do you think is the practical thing to do?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Move out now.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I grew up in a home living with my grandmother. She and my mother did not get along.....everything was an issue. They argued constantly. I was a nervous wreck as a result and had a miserable childhood. I resented my mother for treating her mother like garbage, and my grandmother for knowing how to push moms buttons because she installed them. I moved out of the crazy house at 18. I had a lifelong "strained" relationship with my mother as a result of my childhood.

Move OUT before your toddler tells MY story one day, God forbid.
Helpful Answer (9)
Report
ElizabethC1122 Apr 15, 2024
Thank you so much for this! I did not think of it that way at all. Wow really changes things. I definitely don’t want this to have a similar effect on my daughter.
(2)
Report
Move out now. You have no idea how long this might go on.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

A mistake, I think, to move in with grandmother.
I suggest moving OUT.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Your daughter's well-being is paramount. She can't be safe in a home where a person with dementia rules the roost. The next thing to think about is your relationship. How long do you think it will last with the stress of taking care of a toddler plus an old woman who is sick? Grandma won't get better, only worse.

When we start a family of our own, they come first. You need to begin adulting by getting a place of your own. What about Grandma? Well, you aren't in any position to become a caregiver to someone who is going to need the level of care that she will. You need to make up your mind that she or someone else will have to take care of her. Then leave.

Spend your money on your own place. I hope you find one that can be a real home for you, him, and daughter.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I think that you may have moved in without a lot of understanding of what this all means.
This is her home. She has a right to make her own decisions. If there was no understanding before you moved in, as to how things would go, what shared living expenses would be, and etc. then that was a mistake.

You say you now understand, after living here for some time, that there is some dementia involved.
I would caution you to move out again. I cannot know what your arrangements are/were, but this is the time to get out of there, frankly, before you become responsible in some way without any power to act for yourself.


Simply give your grandmother the date on which you will be leaving.
If, after leaving, you are concerned for her well-being, then I would report her to APS as a senior at risk.

This isn't your responsibility at present. I would caution you against assuming any said responsibility unless you are well qualified to assume it.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Move out . This will only get worse as her dementia gets worse . A young family needs to be on your own and provide a stable environment for your child .
Good luck .
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Get outta there!
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Thanks, everyone.
There was no agreement in place prior to us moving in.
The only things that were mentioned
- she agreed we could “treat this like our home and make changes- put up a picture, get a new sofa, etc)” She said that to me almost verbatim.
-we could have the living room for ourselves and redo it.
Now, she has been resisting us doing anything to the living room- we have to talk about it and have her approve. Finally we’ve made progress and have been able to put new carpet in and get furniture but she doesn’t see it as an improvement to her house.
I lived there before with both her and my grandfather for several years (teens to late twenties) (31-34) and both times were not like this. We would talk over things together and agree. She would make changes to improve things and ask my opinion.

I love her very much and the reason I am here is to make sure she is okay and nothing happens to her.
Wondering if anything can be done now to improve the situation. I really don’t want to have to move out unless it’s a last resort.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Any advice to help??
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This is not a house-share arrangement - where as a group of equals are sharing the costs & deciding the 'rules' of the household.

This is Grandmother's house, yes?

So to me, it's kind of a power imbalance. With Gramdma as owner & you, your partner & child as either guests, tennants or lodgers.

What does Grandma want, now that she is a widow?

If she does want to house-share - how?

Honest & frank discussioons are needed on what you both need. Then see if this is compatible.

Maybe sharing with separate spaces may work... IF the home is big enough to divide, eg a sitting room each, but then utility rooms like the kitchen, laundry will need to be shared. This may still cause safety concerns.

If Grandma cannot understand your need to toddler-proof the home, I don't think there is an alternative but to set up your own separate living arrangements.

Maybe as local as you can if you want to continue a close arrangement, visiting Grandma often?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Sounds like your grandma has got some cognitive decline, and I'm sure she is deep in greif

You had good intentions moving in but I don't think you new what you were getting into.

Grandma will eventually suck all your energy out, and that's not good for your daughter or your relationship

I would suggest move out, help GMA out but not living there. It's not going to get easier, this road only gets harder .

Yes she should understand why you can't have the candy out, but she doesn't want to , she wants her life to be normal. The normal went out when gpa died. And she is trying to do everything she can to hold onto what once was, and keep her independence.

This will only be a struggle for all of you
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Move on, this set up will not work. It is her house, her rules you are her guests.

You are too old to be living with your grandmother.

Thirties you should be on your own with your family building your future, not living with her in her life.

This is not a healthy situation, and where are her children in all of this? Why are you feeling responsible for your grandmother?

Step back start making changes in your life get it back on track.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Moving out all depends on if you want to just be there to help Grandmom or be her Caregiver. If she has Dementia, it will only worsen. She will be become incontinent and very unpredictable like your toddler. I had to stop babysitting for my grandson, 20 months old, to take of my mom because at 65 I could not do both.

People suffering from Dementia do not do well with change. I would say your grandfather covered up for grandmom. He probably saw changes and compensated for them. His death may have contributed to more decline. She needs a good physical. If she has other children, you need to tell them what you have found out and then you cannot care for your child properly and grandmom too. They need to handle it.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I commend you for wanting to help take care of your grandmother. Obviously, she is grieving and trying to “lockdown” everything after losing your grandfather. Grief makes people do strange things. She probably feels like she has lost a lot of control of her life.

My mother exhibited the same behavior right after my father died and she is only now slowly letting go of things and making changes one year after his passing.

I had an aunt who wanted her granddaughter and a family to move in and take care of her but once they did, it was awful! She would not even allow them to have a key to the house! Whenever they would get home from work or school, they had to wait outside for hours sometimes for her to get home from whatever errand she was running.
Suffice it to say they moved out after 6 mo.

At a minimum, you and your family need your own space and there needs to be childproofing in the rest of the house. Sit down and talk to her about it. Let her know that you and your family cannot stay unless your daughter will be safe there.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Consider your current circumstances and discuss with your fiancé what is best to do in this situation. Remember that your daughter's safety is of the highest priority. If sharing a home with your grandmother becomes too difficult due to her condition, it may be wise to consider other options, including finding alternative accommodation.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter