My mother is 95 and in the care of hospice. There is an opening at the hospice house where I live for me to get a 2 day respite. I take full care of my mother and my son is making me feel terrible about having her go for 2 days away from home. Is he right to call me selfish and horrible after I have been caring for her for 11 years alone? Sad.
Unless your son is willing to step in and care for his grandmother, then he needs to butt out! Period!
There is absolutely no reason for you to be questioning yourself or feelings of any guilt regarding a much needed break.
I would be questioning why he is not showing concern for your needs.
You are a human being that requires proper rest in order to be able to function well. Two days is hardly extravagant!
Please enjoy your time off!
Step up or shut up.. That's a worthy motto.
Perhaps you should look into home care. There are people who will come into your home that can take care of her while you get some things done for yourself. It is a far better option than making her live somewhere else for 2 days. You must always stay on guard for your family and those you love.
If he is not sharing care time with you tell him you’re not interested in listening to his complaints.
ENJOY YOUR 2 days. YOU NEED GOOD CARE TOO. Good for you for realizing that.
Your son is the one being selfish and horrible. We're talking about 2 days. You are not abandoning her; you are getting a well deserved break. Do not feel guilty, send you mother to respite care and recharge your batteries. Do not take calls from your son while on your break - maybe until he has grown up and acts like an adult who cares and loves his mother and is supportive of her and his grandmother.
Good luck and may God Bless you and your family.
There have been times where I couldn't remember when I had a shower last.
Is she mentally competent at all? If not, petition to be her guardian. There are two kinds of guardianships: guardianship of personal estate and guardianship of finances. You can be guardian of both if your son is not to be trusted in either capacity.
Somehow I suspect one reason your son may be upset that it costs money or that you will leave her there forever, thus draining her estate even more.
Being a caregiver is physically and mentally draining. In order to be there for your mom, you need to take care of yourself. In my opinion, your son needs time to think about his behavior towards you. I am sure it hurts but it is a fact, caregivers need and deserve support.
If your son were your caretaker in a similar situation, he'd probably be looking for placement for you by the third day.
Enjoy your break. Take advantage of Respite Care whenever you can.
Hospice is where ever the patient calls home.
There are In Patient Hospice Units. These are places where a patient goes to manage pain, sometimes for respite. Or in some cases where family does not want the patient to die at home (usually a home where there are young children).
The Goal of Hospice is to care for your loved one and manage pain and symptoms.
They prefer that the patient is at home but "home" is also Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing facilities.
Again, and this is important Hospice is not a PLACE.
a bit of history, Hospice is from Latin Hospitum. Means Hospitality or place of rest and protection for the ill and weary. Originated in Malta 1065. Dedicated to care for ill and weary on route to or from the Holy Land.
He went at night, around 6pm. The next day I went to visit him and he was drugged. I asked what happened and they said he became agitated and they had to sedate him. They didn't give him a mild sedative, instead, their standard is Haldol , an antipsychotic! However he seemed extremely anxious with tics. I told them I refused to allow that medication. The following day, he was semiconscious. He couldn't open his eyes, eat or drink, just slightly raise his hand when I spoke to him. The staff said the doctor ordered Ativan and morphine. I asked why Morphine and they said for pain. But he NEVER complained of pain at home. They said his "condition" had changed and now he did show signs of pain. I should have taken him home immediately, but now he was bedridden and couldn't communicate. Regrettably, I half believed them and thought I would let him stay for a few more days. The only other choice was placement in a nursing home or to come home. I thought perhaps his condition would improve, but it didn't. They allowed him to stay 7 days instead of 5. On the 6th day, they had him dressed in his street clothes and the next day he passed away.
I tell you this because you have no control over what can happen. If you do decide to place her in respite, speak to the doctor about what medications are allowed and what their side effects are. If she is a compliant person, and can communicate, then she should be ok. Many people go into respite care with no problems. Just iron out a treatment plan ahead of time.
He has no right to guilt you bc you need to decompress. Wrong! Now stop feeling guilty. Every time that thought comes into your head, tell yourself you are allowed your own time. Stop feeling guilty!!! Stop it in its tracks. You are a great daughter taking that on all by yourself. Even employees get to go home after their shift. STOP IT!
Id make him care for her those days without any interference from you. He'll back down. And probably never want to help. Or he says he can't hes a guy and thats his grandmother. To bad, do it any way.
Stop taking his abuse bc thats what it is.
It sounds like your son has some unresolved issues: with you, with death, with his grandmother, with control of life (COVID is making it tough on everybody)... I suggest you need a couple of sessions with your son and you talking with a counsellor. Ask him to list the problems he has with your grandmother being at hospice respite 2 days each week. Ask him what he would like to do to care for his grandmother so you can have some time off. You may need to set some boundaries about your son's involvement in your life - especially if he does not contribute to your income, his grandmother's care, or other needs. A counsellor can help you identify his "problem behaviors" and develop strategies for dealing with those behaviors when they crop up.
He is completely wrong for calling you selfish.
Respite is one of the greatest gifts that Hospice offers. Among all the other benefits of Hospice Medicare pays for almost a week of Respite. All insurance should do this for caregivers! Given that it is covered you are almost crazy if you do not take advantage of it if it is needed.
I wonder does he lift a finger to help you in any way?