Hi all
Never posted about this before but have felt some relief in reading others predicaments.
I’m 38, the youngest of five siblings (all of which live locally) and care for my 78 year old mother with COPD.
My father passed away suddenly in 2019 after which my mums COPD got steadily worse to a point where she doesn’t go out, can’t do anything around the house and can barely make it to the bathroom without struggling to breathe and can’t be left alone.
I moved in with her after my father passed and get barely any support from my siblings. It feels like I have to beg them to sit with her while I go to my part time job, 4 hours, 3 days a week. This is the only time I get out the house.
It’s 24 hours a day, I have my own health problems: two slipped discs in my lower back so am in constant pain and find physical tasks demanding anyway. I haven’t had a whole nights sleep in nearly 3 years without having to get up and support her.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my mum and would do anything for her but just feel like my life is on hold, I can’t move in with my partner (whose really supportive and he helps me when he can) go on holiday or even pop to the shop as she needs someone there in case her breathing is compromised.
Whenever I ask my siblings for help, or to cover mum sitting so I can go out it’s just met with excuses. It’s just not fair that they have their lives and I don’t.
I wouldn’t dream of putting mum in residential care but I think I’ve reached my limit, physically & mentally.
Don’t know what I’m expecting by posting this but just feels good getting it off my chest
Never posted about this before but have felt some relief in reading others predicaments.
I’m 38, the youngest of five siblings (all of which live locally) and care for my 78 year old mother with COPD.
My father passed away suddenly in 2019 after which my mums COPD got steadily worse to a point where she doesn’t go out, can’t do anything around the house and can barely make it to the bathroom without struggling to breathe and can’t be left alone.
I moved in with her after my father passed and get barely any support from my siblings. It feels like I have to beg them to sit with her while I go to my part time job, 4 hours, 3 days a week. This is the only time I get out the house.
It’s 24 hours a day, I have my own health problems: two slipped discs in my lower back so am in constant pain and find physical tasks demanding anyway. I haven’t had a whole nights sleep in nearly 3 years without having to get up and support her.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my mum and would do anything for her but just feel like my life is on hold, I can’t move in with my partner (whose really supportive and he helps me when he can) go on holiday or even pop to the shop as she needs someone there in case her breathing is compromised.
Whenever I ask my siblings for help, or to cover mum sitting so I can go out it’s just met with excuses. It’s just not fair that they have their lives and I don’t.
I wouldn’t dream of putting mum in residential care but I think I’ve reached my limit, physically & mentally.
Don’t know what I’m expecting by posting this but just feels good getting it off my chest