Is it even possible to have a life when you are taking 24/7 care of your 94 year old mother?

My Heart was broken into pieces when I placed my mom, and she, in her typical fiercely stubborn fashion, subsequently lived 5 1/2 Happy, healthy years in a beautiful facility 5 minutes from my home.

I visited every day and am forever grateful for the compassion and love I found for her there.

”She would not survive in a nursing home” is a tragic way of justifying your present situation, and we ALL think that at one time or another in the course of care, OF COURSE she wouldn’t survive in a nursing home. She wouldn’t survive on the French Riviera or in your apartment or in the White House or at Disneyland either- she’s 94 YEARS OLD.

MORE IMPORTANT, WHERE WILL YOU SURVIVE? EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT, where will you THRIVE? After 10 years, you DO deserve some THRIVING, you know!

I feel terrible when I read about folks who think that their parents will immediately die if admitted to nursing care.

My mom lived comfortably in a decent but not great nursing facility for 4 1/2 years. Her nutrition and health improved dramatically.

Your mother doesn't NEED someone waiting on her every demand.

She expects that, and you provide it. Needing and wanting are two different things.

It sounds as though she needs a higher level of care than you can provide at home.

My mother had dementia, and beyond that, she was a little tyrant who had to have everything her own way. She was also very intelligent and thank God, very organized. However, I knew I could never be her full-time caregiver.

At this point in your life, it seems that you have ceased to exist. You can’t concentrate on anything beyond Mom’s wants and needs. You can’t do *this* because Mom might get upset. You can’t do *that* because, again, Mom might get upset. It is very difficult to deal with dementia. They are like unreasonable, spoiled children. So, you need to take care of yourself. One thing I noticed with my mom is that her sense of self-preservation was great. She may have sulked and not eaten for a day or two. When I heard about this behavior, I stopped bringing treats for her. When she began to eat again, the treats came back. She was narcissistic and concentrated only on herself, but it got her walking the halls of her facility and tidying her room. To her credit, she did try to make the best of her situation.

I agree with Barb. There is a misconception here that ALL nursing homes are filthy with staff who ignore their residents and abuse them. Well, some are. That’s why we do our homework and make unannounced visits. My mom’s Medicaid facility was wonderful.

Will your mom pass in the facility? Probably. But more than likely not BECAUSE of the facility. It wasn’t easy for any of us who had to do this. Blame it on increased longevity. 90+ year olds aren’t that uncommon any longer. You have done your time with Mom. There is no reverse gear on dementia. Sad to say, it will only progress and get worse. Take what you can for yourself while you can, be it a gentleman friend and/or a social life. Explain to this gentleman that you are definitely interested in a friendship. There are some things you need to do first (and don’t dump the details on him. That will cause him to bolt for sure). You’d love to go for coffee or even for lunch occasionally. If he’s worth having, he will wait.

Good luck. Come back often and keep us updated.

EssieMarie, I understand that you don't want to put mom in a facility, I don't think anyone wants to put another human being, much less a loved one, in a facility. But she will not die because of it and if she did die shortly after placement it is because she was going to die anyway.

I saw my dad actually get better, the schedule that was kept for meals and medication, the interaction with others of his age group and the lack of worry about how household chores would be completed or not, served to let him focus more on himself. He hated it, but he got better. I would do it again, even though it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It was the best thing for his wellbeing.

You matter as much as your mom and some how that has been disregarded for these many years. Please check into a senior activities center or assistance to get in home help. You are not responsible to pay for her care, she should qualify for aid. Before you have given your entire life to her, please find a way to get you back.

"She would not survive a nursing home as she is used to having me wait on her."

Would you like to have a look at that statement?

What is it that you think would be lethal to your mother?
What is your definition of "survive"?

It's complete rubbish, isn't it. A change of personnel would not kill your mother. A change of routine wouldn't, either. And "would not be pleased about being in" is not the same thing at all as "would not survive."

Look. There are choices to be made throughout life, and some of them are very difficult, with all of the available options having some drawbacks to them.

But the worst choice of all is to make sacrifices for somebody else and then resent having made them.

Project yourself ten years ahead. If you can see yourself alone and thinking "I gave up everything to devote myself to my mother's care, and it was worth it" then good for you and may your mother appreciate her blessedness. But if you're going to hold *her* responsible for a life you're not happy with, then you need to do some rethinking now.

I recommend you get support from a counsellor or therapist, because after ten years it would be difficult to deal with this on your own - how can you see the wood for the trees? Your sense of responsibility for every single aspect of your mother's life and the anxiety you feel about delegating it are looming obstacles that stand in your way when it comes to work and relationships, but that doesn't mean they can't be overcome. And in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they are much more readily dismantled that you can imagine.

Only you can make the necessary changes here. You need to see a therapist to help you with establishing healthy boundaries.

You are entitled to living your life, as you please. Your money is not to be used paying for care your mom needs. That is mom's responsibility.

Wilting Away, (yes you are)
It’s so hard for a daughter to set better boundaries with mother. There are hundreds of books written on the subject. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be such a common problem and you’d be better off today. Not easy. So, give yourself that.

I understand the feeling that you HAVE to do this or that, because mom wouldn’t this or that....I did those same excuses, and while I didn’t think that’s what they were,
that’s what they are. You don’t HAVE to.

I’m in the same kind of boat you are in, and my boat is going down unless I abandon ship pretty soon. So, I get it. This is hard! No easy answers, but I think by posting your question, you have made a huge step to move ahead. This is a great site, and includes many smart and caring folks willing to help you. I see you already have some good replies with thoughts and suggestions. Not all suggestions will be appropriate for you, and some may be a bit flakey.
But you must be open to questioning your “She cant’s” and listen to, study, think about new ideas presented here so you
can find your way. That is what I have found.

So I’m re-reading many kind and helpful replies, changing the things I can in little steps, until I can manage the bigger steps. It’s a process, change is. And this situation is complex, filled with fear and guilt and so many other emotions that cloud our abilities to make good choices for ourselves and our loved ones.

Since you do have some help that allows you to get out, I hope you and your new friend could enjoy outings together. I have an anxiety d/o, too. Hope you refrain from talking too much about mom, but that’s been your life for 10 yrs., and perhaps you are feeling a little under-socialized regarding topics of conversation? That’s how I’d feel but I wouldn’t talk too much about mom. He may have lots to say, and a good listener is very attractive!

I hope you keep keep up with this site and learn and grow,
other’s experiences may help guide you. I’ll look for you!

Not much of a life here, but I do try to make the most of it. I am 64 yo, female, and full time care-giver for my 89 yo mother. Have been since November 2015. She is ambulatory, but needs assistance with most things. Toileting, dressing, showering, etc. She can't do much for herself any more- even changing the channel on the TV confuses her. But thank goodness, she can still get out with me.
So I don't go totally nuts, we go out to listen to music as much as we can. She seems to enjoy the same music that I have introduced her to through YouTube. I am a big fan of Texas Country/Folk, the Ameripolitan sound, Western Swing, and similar. Last week-end we got a hotel with roll-in shower, and music venue at the hotel. I always look for accessible venues. It was a Rockabilly week-end. We were out until after midnight for the Saturday night show. Then we drove 20 miles the next day, for a Hillbilly Jazz matinee. She has had her picture taken with a lot of the musicians that we have seen.
We only can go to fairly small, intimate venues. She has had a great time, and gives us both something to look forward to. Then when we are at home, she has photos, and we can pull up the videos of the people she has met. Not much of a life, but this does give us something to look forward to.
We also try to do outings to small local museums, or heritage sites. Love streaming YouTube onto the big TV. That way we can check out the situation ahead of time. Am aiming to do something once a month or so. Gives us both something to look forward to. My life, for the duration. Hopefully she remains in good enough shape to continue this way.

Being absolutely blunt, what does she have to live for? Let her go into a NH where her needs can be met and you can visit without being stressed out when you see her and if she passes then so be it - we all have to go sometime and you may get to have some better memories than the ones you will have at the moment. The simple answer to your initial question is NO, you cannot have a life whilst being a 24/7 carer.

You cared for your mother in her home. You care for her now in your home. Your mother has dementia and her needs are only going to increase. Here is an excerpt from an answer on another thread that I felt hit all the right notes. In that thread, the person with dementia who needed a higher level of care was poster's father and so hence the "he"s and "him"s:

"He will not make the decision and that is clear. I would say that breaking down and crying is a normal and appropriate response. I would ask him if he wants to go with you. If not, I would tell him you will go and make the best decision for him you are able. But gently make clear that this is how it will be now. It is, as with very young children, best not to give choices when choices are confusing and frustrating. It is best to gently say what will now happen. Don't expect a good response. Expect an honest one. Which will be grief. There are times when grief is a fact that cannot be avoided for you all."