My parents live in my house. Both are in their 90s. I have caregivers come seven days a week. I attend to their needs in the evening. I know I should not engage with my mother because it just brings a torrent of accusations. Today she said a whole lot of cutting remarks. My husband was in the hall and heard what she said. She said she was sorry to ever come to live with me. She said that no daughter should talk that way to her mother. I didn't say anything to her I was just setting up her medicine box for the week. She said I should have the pain and suffering that she feels so I know what it feels like. She is very hard of hearing and she never seems to hear me or understand what I am saying even after I repeat a question. She replies to others when they ask a question. My husband says that I am her scapegoat. I believe that she has some dementia, and that in combination with her poor hearing, makes it impossible for me to have any conversation with her. Writing on a white board does not work unless it is only one word. Talking louder only makes her say I am yelling. It is not easy to deal with someone with dementia, and forget trying to explain things because you get nowhere. Not really asking anyone for solutions because I know this is a hard issue to solve. Just want to know from other caregivers how they have developed thick skins and how they carry on their duties under trying circumstances. Thank you!
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throes of their disorder, sounded like they had dementia. Narcissistic seniors have a get out of jail free card and some really know how to wield it. Seems like they can
slip in and out of focus. So sometimes its intentional, sometimes its not. Can
drive you batty if you let it. I'm still on the learning curve, so I dont' have any really
great advice other than find support--online, in person, in nature, with books, etc.
Whoever, whatever, where ever. Find support, because narcissistic scapegoating parents, coupled with demands of care giving can wear you down to nothing if you're not careful. Been there, done that.
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My dad, who I know has spinal stenosis (I can tell by the way he walks) and logically is in pain, denies he’s in pain and yet is hateful and lashes out at whoever doesn’t do what he thinks they should be doing.
He’s a problem that I am unable to do anything about. He’s having dementia type problems but says he’s fine, he’s in control of the money and really shouldn’t be but will never give me POA or anything else. I worry that he’ll get scammed or forget to pay mom’s AL rent money every month. He hasn’t been diagnosed with dementia but at least his internist realizes that dad does have dementia. The day will come when dad gets in a jam and then hopefully I or my daughter can get permission to take over the money.
Dad is very hostile to me and my daughter. Nothing we do is enough...thankfully mom is sweet. She’s the one that is supposed to be a problem but she isn’t.
So what happens to us when we don't feel good about ourselves? We either cry, apologize constantly to others, or we get mad, and start taking things out on others, even when we don't mean to.
I think if we could just put ourselves in their shoes, we would be able to know that the comments that are hurtful, are because they are hurting, in one way or another.
The Labor of love is difficult under the best circumstances. Just try and have patience and realize what they are saying is not a reflection of you, but a reflection of what they are feeling about themselves.
It's like what you might tell a child about a bully.
Love suffers long. May God bless all caregivers.
Mom would accuse me of trying to put her in a facility - even though I was fighting harder than she was for her to remain independent.
I cooked for her according to her medical needs only to have her tell me: "This isn't what I eat. I want McDonald's."
If I brought her food to her before her water, she would demand the water. If I brought the water first, then it was "where's my meal??"
She accused me of causing "dehydration" because I refused to supply her with BOTTLED water. Seriously? Tap water is fine in our area, so that's what I gave her. There were NO signs of dehydration whatsoever.
She told me the coffee I'd bought for her while I did her shopping was causing diarrhea & now she "can't drink coffee anymore" until she got a certain brand she wanted. She's had periodic diarrhea for a decade - it wasn't because of the coffee I bought. Nevermind that she could take a minute to appreciate having someone shop for her or let me know in advance that there was a particular brand of coffee she required.
I arranged for a medical van to take her to all appointments - only to have her blame me for the fact that we needed the van at all (she was unable to physically get into a passenger car). She felt I should have been able to get her in/out of a car - even though that's physically impossible for me to do and it would be against her therapists' orders.
Instead of feeling happy someone (me) was able and willing to check in on her, she criticized me for not staying longer when I came over.
She was noncompliant with her exercise/rehab regimen & would then call her sister to complain that there was a "lack of progress" being made while under my care. The sister would then send a scathing email to me about my alleged role in her sister's decline.
These examples are only the tip of the iceberg. In general, nothing I did was ever quite right, but (LOL) she would allow me to improve if I'd just try harder!! I was like, "Wow, you're giving little 'ol me another chance? Gee, thanks!!" I'll try to do a better job waiting on you hand and foot for no pay, no thank yous, and constant criticism.
I gave up so much of my sanity for her and I'm still healing. My advice would be one task at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time. Try with all your might not to take anything personally. There were times when I secretly pretended that I didn't even know her. I just focused on the tasks at hand and I completed those tasks to the best of my ability.
She is somewhat different in her approach to your mother. MIL just mutters to herself. "I'm glad I've got plenty of sense." "I can do for myself." "Nobody wants to deal with old people." etc......
These comments are very tough to hear when you realize that your entire life revolves around her needs. The only solace that I have found is getting out for some exercise each day. It helps me to have a bit of distance from her and also to keep from engaging in a pointless back and forth. My husband and I are trying to tag team so each of us has some time away. That's the only solution. You'll never get used to hearing all that is said by someone whose mind is deteriorating with dementia.
but when my mom was "hearing things" (she was hearing music/TV noise, when none was "on")
took her to hearing doctor. I guess she coulda got a hearing aid. but we didn't get her one.
also took her to primary dr. and she cleaned out my moms ears, there was big chunks of wax in there.
her "hearing" noises did stop, not sure if it was due to her getting her ears cleaned out or not.