Hi all:
I recently posted that I was the primary caregiver for my 94-year mother for 10 years (during which time her health declined). I helped her age in her apartment until 2 weeks ago when she finally moved to a retirement home in another city (5 minutes from my sister’s place). I am relieved to have relinquished the role of caregiver, and am now free to move forward with my retirement/life.
I now see my sister dealing with the weight of our mom’s issues, and can only offer limited support. I live 1.5 to 2 hours away—this is actually a very good thing as lack of proximity prevents me from stepping back into the quicksand of caregiving. There is a gravitational pull when you live in the same city as an aging parent that has ceased since she moved away.
I’m glad to be free again after 10 years: it comes with guilt, however. I am wondering if anyone can offer thoughts on how to best navigate these early days of post primary-caregiver life.
That isn't you. So guilt's off the table.
I would try on for size that other G-word which is grief.
You didn't cause your mom's aging problems and you can't fix them and you have done much to try to lessen them. Now you are suffering for your sister and what she is going through. Proof enough for me that you are a pretty decent person. At least in my JUDGEMENT (or opinions which sounds ever so much nicer but means the same).
I think I would express to your sis how you feel, let her know how close to the surface your own nerve endings remain from all the caregiving, let her know you known how tough it is, ask what you can do other than letting her know she has your deepest thoughts.
In some ways you are free but still have two wheels stuck in the mire, if you know what I mean.
I sure wish you the best, and just know that for BOTH of you this is going to be quite an adjustment; be easy on yourselves.
I know exactly what you mean about being free, but still feeling emotionally mired. It has only been two weeks since she moved, and I’m adjusting to this change.
I am taking a trip in December to visit friends. I need a vacation. Thank you, AlvaDeer, for your insight.
You are also feeling empathy for your sister now since she feels the weight more now .
Mom is where she needs to be , you do the best you can , that’s all you can do . You’ve already done a lot .
I don’t have alot of advice about navigating this . It’s an adjustment since your role has changed . I suggest setting some routines for yourself . So much of your life was wrapped around a caregiving routine . You need to relearn to live your own daily life.
I’m not sorry that she moved: it’s liberating. I think that seeing my sister struggle with the added weight of Mom’s care has been triggering the guilt for me. I need to accept that I can only offer limited support, and that things are now in a different place.
When we take on the role of caregiver, it's a huge responsibility that other people just don't understand unless they've done it. I can't sit and watch a movie without having an anxiety attack because I'm not doing anything. It's one of those things that will just take time. All we can do is draw comfort from the fact that we know we did everything we could during that time, especially knowing there were others that probably could have helped. Talk to a therapist if you feel the need; it's helped me a lot. Ten years was a huge chunk of time we devoted to our loved ones. It will take some getting used to. Just be sure to take some time to devote to yourself now; you've earned it.