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In my opinion, you are not 'on the opposite side'. Just a different side. So dont beat yourself up.
I dont despise you. In truth, I think I envy your freedom of choice. I have never been able to go on 2 holidays a year. In fact it one one every 10 years (if we managed to save up a little)
Being low paid workers (and boy did we work hard) it was all we could do to keep our heads above water.
BUT we are not complaining, in fact I think we did well.
This was just to show that we could not, ever, have saved enough for our old age.
I am a carer, who is being cared for by the one I am caring for. I think of this as normal. Each of us cares for the other.
I/we would hate for our children to have to look after us. I will go into a government run 'home' before I do that.
Now you have a little of my back ground, I can offer how I see would help.
Phone regularly, let the carer rant on (even if you have heard it all so many times before.
Send flowers. Not a big bunch, just one you have selected yourselves. A special food parcel (after you have checked it they can eat what you send.
Try and arrange some respite for the carer. Some time away. You dont have to pay for a holiday for them (although that would be nice). Just find a place where the cared only can go for a week or two, and pay for that. Ask if they would like a top to bottom clean for the home. Send little vouchers for a Spa day for the carer and some one to care for the loved one while they enjoy it.
Basically, ANYTHING that you do out of love would help. :)
I am happy you have the choice to stay away and I send you smiles.
Take care of your self and yours.
Buzzy
Sorry I rambled on a bit there. lol
Just my thoughts came spilling out. :)
You are loved.
I asked - she wanted help applying for any and all county services they could qualify for. She wanted help applying for Medicaid in preparation for eventual nursing home placement. She needed regular breaks. I went there one weekend a month and she left town each weekend to visit friends, go to the casino, etc. she always came back refreshed.
Each caregiver needs something different. For people who lived locally - she through it helpful if they would bring over groceries etc.
but ask and LISTEN
I'm also a DIL who lives far away. I think just the fact that you are trying to get information on how to help is excellent. It sounds like you acknowledge that someone is sacrificing to care for your husband's parents so he doesn't have to. Because they are doing it, your family has less demands on how you spend time and money. You can stay on track with your plans for the future. I think a lot of people would just like the out of town siblings to recognize the sacrifice.
The only quibble I have with your post is the breezy supposition that it was poor planning that leads to people needing help from their families. It is not. It amazes me how many people take their own financial security as something they earned and deserve on merit. It's smug. Many, many people planned properly, saved what they could and still got devastated by an illness or infirmity. If not their own, a child, spouse or parent's needs can derail the best laid plans. We don't deserve our health and wealth. It's a gift.
In my case my father is a spender and a hoarder. Any garden tool, gadget or gizmo he is going to buy. He is over $100,000 in debt at 89 years old, yet still spending. That number does not include his back income tax which is another $100k+.
He thinks that as he has mortgage and cc ‘insurance’ that will pay out on death. It is ok. He has no concept of how care maybe needed in the future and that money will be needed. His ‘insurance’ will not pay out unless he dies. It will not cover his income tax debt either.
Me, Dad does not believe I have anything to contribute. So when I visit I clean the bathroom, the kitchen, toss rotting food from the fridge and counters, and leave it at that.
when I visited last month he mentioned dribbling pee and I think he wet the bed. When I went this month I brought him pull ups and pee guards. He had forgotten the conversation and denied needing them. I told him they were for if He needs them in the future.
Dad’s short term memory and reasoning skills are not great anymore. His long term memory is great.
I'm curious -- so just who IS doing the hands-on care for your in-laws? Did that person have to give up their job to do so? Their financial future? A solid retirement? Are they being compensated? Does that person resent your husband for not helping out more?
I am in the in-town sibling, and I have three brothers. Two visit during the year (but never stay more than one or two days). One hardly ever visits. He doesn't do a thing for our elderly mother. I resent him more than the others for that.
BUT...I don't live with my mother, she doesn't live with me, and we will never live together. She needs more help, has the money to hire it, and refuses to do so. I limit my exposure to her as much as possible -- my job is to drive her places, and I do it as little as possible. (She gave me her car and still thinks *I* owe her.) I resent her expectations of me. She was am emotionally abusive and controlling mother (as she still is now). I have set strict limits on my chauffering, and she isn't happy.
If I were the one living with and taking care of my mother, I would really resent my brothers. And, quite frankly, I wouldn't do it.
How to help out? Money (especially if the in-law who is doing the caregiving isn't being compensated). If there will be an estate, insist that the caregiver(s) get more of the estate than anyone else.
Thanks, siblings for taking 2 hours every six months to visit your father. I haven't had a real vacation in the 8 years I've supported your dad. But sure, I hope you are enjoying your time at the beach.
Jerks
And I second the advice to insist that those who are caregivers get financial compensation, preferable as it is given and not as part of a division of the estate because that can keep someone in the trenches far too long - if mom or pop eventually spend 5 years in a facility will anyone remember and place the same value on those previous years of sacrifice?
Get creative, send a care package that has something fun for everyone and individually, home baked bread, cookies, cards (something to post on the fridge) cute magnets to hold the stuff or create a board that can be hung up and then the little love notes can be attached. Caregiving is isolating, so knowing that someone is thinking about you and how you are doing makes it a little less lonely.
Depending on the age of your children you could include their friends and send 30 homemade cards, pictures or hand turkeys, you get the idea.
If you know the caregiver send a thank you note with some flowers and a gift card for something that means a great deal to them.
Last but not least, be emotionally available to the caregiver, let them lean on you, be understanding and compassionate, DO NOT JUDGE, even if you cringe because of what they say, remember they are only venting so they don't blow.
Thank you for wanting to help in the best way you can.
It would It would have been an absolute godsend if someone had said "hey I got this. Get out of here." I would have been so grateful and would have returned somewhat renewed to carry on with the job.
I also would have felt that somebody cared about me and loved me instead of feeling alone, unloved, and invisible.
Props and kudos to your relatives who sound like decent caring people.
Have you told them that?
I think in the 8 years of taking complete care of my elderly mother I have never heard that from my "distant" brother who lives under 3 miles away. You would think he lived across the continent. I have sacrificed quite a lot, as I am sure your relatives have. A little appreciation or validation from him would mean a lot.
I understand some people are busy or have families or jobs or whatever the excuse is- but really., who doesn't???
You can show a little concern towards their own welfare for starters. Realize that maybe they don't WANT to be in the situation they are now in but that it sometimes is the only choice they have because someone else in family thinks it shouldn't be their problem.
Some tangible things:
*Call and actually listen to what they have to say.
*Offer to help pay for an ongoing sitter to come maybe once or twice a week so they can have an actual break/date night etc.-
*Maybe a meal delivery or grocery delivery service a couple of days a week? What about while you are doing all of that traveling you maybe take a weekend to come and stay to relieve them. Too much? well how about ask them to make a list of things you could do from where you are. Some kind of paper work research or planning etc. and let them know that you would honestly like to help in some way from where you are and that you would like them to think about it for a couple of days and to tell you what.
This is life. Its not a matter of "Oh I'm just not good at that, or I'm just too busy. Its a worldwide concern. Most don't plan on getting sick or having Alzheimer, Cancer and diseases. No one really expects or knows when or what is going to happen or for that matter what age. You can get mad at poor planning all you want but Karma has a funny way of changing everything.
Step in, honestly listen to them, and I think you will be surprised that the resentment will probably start to disappear
If I were asking this question, I would think that my answer seems overly dramatic, especially since it's in addition to many others. If you would, I ask that you please kindly understand that I don't mean to be rude in any way, but the opportunity to explain this is rare or non-existent.
To better help a caregiver would likely require sacrificing things you have been unwilling to as of yet. Please also understand that it isn't an all or nothing thing. Perhaps you can adjust some of your time, some of your money and some of your social endeavors.
I've actually been thinking about this over the last several days, so I'm surprised to see your question. I have so much more to say but I'd prefer to take a bit of time to better formulate the remainder of my input, but I wish to start now.
In a small nutshell, give them time and money, an apology and lots of kindness.
No matter what it looks like from the outside, and regardless of the level of caregiving needed, know that for the caregiver this is many levels of absolute destruction emotionally, physically and financially.
Imagine you've lost your business, your savings, your mental health and almost lost your significant other, while the others who have far more resources, have basically abandoned you except for when they criticize you and tell you about their travels, etc., while you can't leave, or do much else.
My well-being and likely my future are in complete ruins. Believe it or not--and I would NOT have believed it from someone else--I am in no way exaggerating. I would never have understood this before I did it.
Thank you for asking this question. I hope to add to this. Additionally, if you have questions, please ask them to me. I'm a former tutor and am practiced in ways of patiently--and believe it or not, kindly--explaining things in various levels of detail.
Best wishes as you go forth with your learning and possible changes!!