How do I cope with being treated like a servant, not only by my mother but by everyone?

Mr DT, It seems that people are meeting your expectations according to what you project. Your Mother is manipulative and she keeps Winning. You are letting her. You say, " if I had to take her to a nursing home it would have to be under physical restraints". SO? Would she be so angry she would disown you? Then what would she do? This tells me she can afford to be in a care home, you are just afraid to take her. As a woman, I hate to say this, but you need to "man up". It's either her or you. Risk the consequences for your own survival.
For a year my Mother was lived with us. My husband and I planned a trip away for a long weekend. It was our first getaway in a couple of years because of finances. I told her the caregiver would be here overnight as we needed a break and to have some fun. She couldn't care less, as she was at that point in her dementia progression: world closing in, rediscovering belly button, as it were. She said, "Oh, then you won't be HERE. What about ME?" You do not want to know what I said under my breath, but THAT was IT!!! Within the next month, I found a place I could trust, and moved her into it. I did not visit her for 2 weeks, and she settled in and has other people she is fixated on. It's like a cat--whoever feeds it becomes its' owner. Your Mother will do the same, and probably try to make you jealous.
Listen, we are in charge of our children for a time to teach them, protect them, and hopefully, we send them out into the world not needing us. We don't let them run our lives as they are growing up, or it would ruin THEM. On the other end, now we are responsible for our elderly parents, and for some reason, they get away with that which they would NOT let us get away with! Get your life back, DT. Hugs:)

I agree with Christina -You have to do what I did from listening to Dr. Phill decide that you do not deserve to be treated this way and we teach others how to treat. As my therapist told me you are waiting for someone to rescue and that is not going to happen so I rescued myself by saying and following through of placeing the husband. You need to take care of you and that means she must go into a nursing home-you will visit her and be part of her care but not the only one doing it. She may be upset for a while but I spent much time in nursing homes -my husband was in rehab at least 16 times the last years of his life and I did not see any patients or residents who were clamoring to get out they all adjusted-most in short time. You need to take care of your own health.

I cannot contradict some of your criticisms of my way of handling an uncomfortable situation, some are valid and I will accept them. However, there are just as many that are not valid, at least in the context that you do not have the entire story or are assuming, as they say on the legal shows, "facts not in evidence". In the first place, Christina, mom is NOT well fixed, in fact, she is quite the opposite, and to assume that I am "in danger of being disowned" is Presumptuous in the extreme and quite offensive. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not as mercinary as many would be in my place, I am not after what I will inherit. Mom is living with ME. I support her physically as well as emotionally, she partially and cheerfully contributes to some of the household expenses but only for her lifetime and that is that. As to shipping her out of sight and mind to a nursing home, there are none around here that either of us could afford except for the county homes, who are not known for their kind, diligent, and attentive care. She would be dead within three months, there is more to caregiving than changing diapers or providing meals and medications, I should think you should know that. I am not that cold. My dad was in one for the last weeks of his life, and I am not so sure that they were not the ones who killed him finally. Perhaps I have a finer sense of empathy than some and shrink from the idea that mom would feel herself "abandoned". No matter that her narcissism is uncomfortable for me, nobody 'deserves' to be abandoned. And because I do not like to kick puppies or tie cans to cat's tails or arbitrarily shuffle moms off to mediocher nursing homes is no reason to question my manliness. I do not deserve that either and as Dr. Phil might say, I do not deserve that on our short aquaintance any more than I deserve to be treated like a servant by family or visitors. Frankly I was hoping for some more constructive suggestions. Austen's suggestion that others must be taught how to treat you occasionally is a good one, and I have used it myself many times in the past (It is the only reason I was able to adjust to living with mom 11 years ago), thank you for reminding me, but that was in a far more sophisticated environment than the small provincial-minded town I happen to find myself in that does not take instruction so readily but think in stereotypes (once when I was taking mom home from a hospital stay, one older volunteer lady said she guessed I was happy taking her home because I will have some good cooking now, she did not know that I did all the cooking, and that she was just thinking in a small town stereotype). Putting up with platitudes that have no substance is pretty much of a constant battle and I get so tired of it occasionally I could blow my stack. The reason I wrote is because of a particularly bad and disheartening incident this weekend (having nothing to do with mom's attitude toward me) and I assure you, that will not be repeated.

Before agreeing with Christina and Austin, I want to embrace you, DT, and pat you on the back. Please accept a warm cyber hug.

I am 66. I have been full-time caregiver for 8 years. What you are saying about only being seen as a caregiver really stikes a chord with me. Especially at the beginning, friends would say, "Take care of yourself! If you don't keep up your health you won't be able to take care of him." Wait a cotton-pickin' minute! Last year I was a friend and you'd want me to take care of myself because I am worthy of being taken care of, and now you only care about my ability to care for someone else? What happened to ME!" Even professionals would say this. It drove me nuts. It was as if I ceased to exist in my own right. I was asking one doctor to change my diabetes medication because the one I was on gave me severe episodes of low blood sugar. He was reluctant to change. I described an incident where I was in a shopping center with my husband and nearly passed out. "Oh that's right. You are a caregiver. I'd better give you something less likely to cause extreme lows." Argghh! I got what I wanted but not for my sake -- for that of the person I care for.

My situation is quite a bit different than yours, but in this one aspect, this loss of self, I can really related to you. Other caregivers in my local support group have mentioned this too.

I am caring for my husband (which I think has a different flavor than caring for a parent) and we are in our home of many years. I have some family nearby. I have my same friends (though I don't get to see them as much). I go to my same bookclub each month. I work full-time, from home, which is often a hardship, especially with recent health issues, but it is very good interact with coworkers who see me as a valuable contributor to a team effort. They know about my caregiving but it is not primarily how they think of me. At the Mayo Clinic caregivers are treated as the important part of the care team that we are, and shown respect. Even with all this going for me, I still know quite well that feeling of being regarded as a nonentity in my own right.

I say this was worst at the beginning. By now everyone who knows me knows better than to treat me that way. Strangers (mostly professionals) still do sometimes, but I generally can turn that around. I agree with Chirstina that part of the problem probably is "people are meeting your expectations according to what you project." But I also know that people have their own expectations and often have to be reeducated about what to expect from you. Changing your own expectations of how they should treat you is a necessary step, but please do not hear this as a criticism or that this is all your fault.

You can't go back and re-make the decision that brought you far from friends, or the decision to do all the care yourself, and to not work, etc. etc. You are where you are and you can only try to figure out what is best going forward.

Your mother is on hospice care, which must mean a doctor has said she is not expected to live more than a half a year or so. Of course such predictions cannot have a high accuracy rate in all cases. Do you feel that your mother is in the end stage and will not live many more months? I think that would color what I would do. You have cared for her at home for 12 years, and to place her in a facility now to die might not seem the best choice of either of you. But if the present situation is too much for you, there is no shame in acknowledging that and acting on it. Does this hospice organization have their own facility where your mom could be kept comfortable through this final part of the journey? I have heard wonderful reports of hospice houses. True, Mom might not be happy about that, but if it is the best option for her and for you, grit your teeth and do it.

It sounds like you are near the end of this long journey you have been on, one way or the other. I hope you are beginning to think about what you will do when you emerge from that long tunnel into the light you can glimpse at the end. Will you stay where you are? Is it a suitable community for you once you have time to get to know people and live your own life? Or will you sell the house and move back to your old environment? Are your old friends still there? Is the ambience there more compatiable with how you'd like to live. Will you be recieving an inheritence? How does that impact your plans? I don't expect an answer to these questions -- it is none of my business -- but I hope you are thinking ahead and building plans to look forward to.

Take care of yourself, DT, because you are a valuable, unique individual, fully worthy of the best care you can get. Again, hugs to you!

DT, I was apparently typing while you were, and hadn't read your reply yet. I want to emphasize again that I can relate to your feelings about being seen as "just the caregiver," and I can imagine your irritation with the stereotypes and platitudes offered to you. If one more person told me "God doesn't give you more than you can handle," I swear I was going to scream. I did tell one person that my poor husband should have married a weaker woman and then god would not have given him dementia. I try to respond to people's intentions and not their dumb remarks, but that sometimes takes every ounce of restraint I can muster.

Anyway, I meant no criticism, and I sincerely wish you well as you struggle with this tough road we're on.

Thank you Jeanne, for your very lucid response. There have been several incidents in which mom would be dead by now if I had not been here, not the least of which is just wasting away in some nursing home. You see, mom does not have a great deal of imagination, her home and her kitchen were her biggest diversions. She has not been able to contribute to cooking or cleaning for a couple years now, she cannot stand for any length of time because of the ostio or handle hot things or lift a boiling pot to the sink to drain it, it became just plain dangerous. I often let her help, we made apple pie a couple weeks ago, I peeled and cored, she sat and sliced and used her "head recipe" to mix, I got in into the oven and out. She has a difficult time giving her recipes because in her words, she "just does it". She cleans vegies and mixes frostings, etc. I am benefiting in that I am learning how she did things....In truth, I have not spent all 12 years caregiving, I worked until a couple years ago when they "obsolited" me. I moved back here from CA that long ago, but her decline has been slow and steady, with increasing low points. For the last 2 years she has had to use a walker exclusively and sometimes I have to get out the wheelchair. I carry her potty chair wherever she happens to need it, she has diminished control of her bladder and bowels so I must be quick. Just 3 weeks ago her doctor and I thought her time had come, but she rallied and is now at home again, but getting steadily weaker. She must be watched or someone must be nearby 24/7 or she would have to be religated to totally bedridden, which presents it's own problems.

No, our community does not have a separate facility for hospice like some more prosperous communities, it is all home care. Not perfect, but we are working through it and so far they have been lots of help.

As for whether I will stay here or not, I have not made any particular plans on that. When I bought the house from her it was with the intention of retiring here, I love the house and I have the garden as an outside diversion, and my hobby stuff in the basement, I grew up in this town but frankly have soured on it. For some 30 years I lived in a more urban environment and I crave too much that a small community in the middle of a sea of corn cannot provide in order to be totally content here, though much will depend on whether the real estate values recover, in this area they are rock-bottom and better homes than mine are going unsold so I may never be able to get away. All I have to say on that is that as long as I am mobile at all, there are many places in this world I want to visit, I would move back to CA if I have the chance but as I said, no plans at all. For one, because she keeps making these rallys, I have no idea how long my responsability will last (Ah! The big "R" word!...)

DT,
When I used the word "disown", I was in no way referring to disinheritance of finances. The word "renounce" is closer. You want more constructive ideas? I bet you have endless thoughts as to what you need to do for your Mother and still have a life. Have you ever presented the situation to Mother, herself?
From one caregiver to another, it is not necessary to state the obvious: you would not abandon her, you are not cold--most of us are too caring, especially those of us with self-centered parents. We develop our coping styles over the years to survive, and our personalities determine the presentation. I come from a screwed up background, DT. I am sorry if I offended you with my brusque delivery of bottom line advice.
Provincial minds are everywhere, and we cringe at worn out cliches and well-intentioned but ignorant remarks from outsiders. I have heard a few this last year, and if the reaction I gave let them think I was cold-hearted, I don't care. I know what I experience, and they can mind their own business next time.
I would like to have a better attitude about what I am doing: i.e. being the sole caregiver for my Mother without constantly griping that my siblings do nothing; and resenting that they resent my resentment of them! I am actually tired of hearing it after a year or so, and I know God is tired of hearing it. I struggle with this: if I am serving others--like caring for my Mother--does having a bad attitude about it negate the good? If I simply accept that this is the task I must accomplish and there is no one else available or willing to do it, then I prevent more angst.
I believe there is an answer for each of our circumstances, and sometimes it is 'acceptance.' Sometimes when we accept and relax, another opportunity presents itself. When you stop chasing the butterfly, it will light on your shoulder.
I don't know. I think tossing these things around and then giving it a rest is the way to find an answer. I'm really glad we have this site and each other to bounce things off of. All the best to you, DT. Hugs, Christina

DT, I was writing as you were writing. I see your additional explanation of your Mother's abilities. I try to imagine what it is like to not be able to do things one could do for years. It is frustrating and makes one fearful of loss. It is still difficult for the one caring for and watching the deterioration. I appreciate that in all of us, and my heart goes out to our loved ones. Take care.

Your mother sounds like my mother. There is definitely manipulation. They think you "owe" them your life. It will eat you up. It will make you angry and have hatred toward everyone. Can she not qualify fo some type of home health aid assistance for a few hours each day? If she has the money ..make her pay for this help. Money is not everything. I would tell the hospice people that I am going out when they come, I have things to do and if they can't do their job, they need to get someone in there that can. Stand up for yourself. If you don't, no one else will.

DT..other than the fact that I am female....we could be twins. I too am and have been for 3 years the 60 something daughter solely taking care of mom 24/7/365. You don't even have the time or energy to barely take care of your own personal needs. I put makeup on once a week or so just to go to the grocer. The feelings of loss of self have been intense and with the holidays on us it is even worse. Just recently started with hospice and yes they are great but at times condescending and just show up with no care for me. I realize I took on this journey out of love and still own that feeling. I wish you the best and you are a great person to be doing this.

@Millieannie...I sure don't hear any compassion in your post...so sad.

@shamrock13 .We each have had our own experiences. I don't think anyone should be judging anyone on this board. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Leave the judgement to the higher power.

Oh, don't be too hard on Milieannie - I myself have run the gamit of emotions since this thing snowballed to the point of interfering with my life. Sometimes I think of one of Susan Boyle's songs that goes 'I am who I am born to be', other times I am angry, still other times I feel trapped. I am still evolving. Millie - if you read my posts again I have covered the facts that we have few financial resources and have explored the services of Medicare, State, and local facilities about as much as we can, I agree that sometimes these services are so 'routine' as to render them cold and impersonal (hey, we are talking about goverment here...LOL) but we stil use them, and I do use the time to sometimes go out and get some other things done. Believe it or not I do give mom (who does not have 'dimentia' per se, just some loss of cognition as well as mobility) the rough side of my tongue when she gets too demanding, my biggest objection is that I am taken for granted by nearly everyone else, who I can't really give the rough side of my tongue. I really do not think most people can possibly realize what it is like to live with someone who even in her younger days has had very little imagination to make her see more of life outside of her kitchen. It was all she had. I believe we are in the same boat though - we are dealing and sharing. Thanks.

Miss Millie...I am walking in those shoes and I was just making an observation ..I observed that you have a bitter tone..just sayin'.
And Yes DT...my mom never was a "friend maker" ..a loner you would say. I love her dearly and don't regret a moment of this journey....but yes I do have many "pitty parties" that rollercoast from crying jags to wanting to put my fist thru a wall to the only other way I know how to deal ...which is step outside and talk to my Lord . That is the only way I can re-focus. Each day gets harder watching her spiral away and it's only a matter of time...she may not even make her 87th birthday next month. I am exhauseted as you probably are as well..physically and mentally but somehow God gives me the strength to lift her and take care of her everyday needs. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

DT,

I know your situation all too well, except that I'm 25 years your junior. My identity's been co-opted from college English instructor to full-time caregiver. Far too often, in my mind I've constructed the articulate letter to my 84-year-old father where I explain that I've merited some regard and some respect, more than I've received these last 12 months which is Zilch (with a capital Z). It seems like it's only expected that I've pressed life's Pause Button and should be giddy living in the tiny quarters that have been afforded to me. I should be thankful for the opportunity to experience these last chapters.

I've got that letter fairly well constructed. I just need to hand it over. In it I ask my father to recollect his life and what he had to offer the world when he was my age, except that I never married nor am I saddled with any children of my own. I'm just supposed to live this isolated cult of an existence?, I ask. DT, you and I and every other person who's on this site, were not put on this earth to sacrifice our lives so that our elderly parents can have it their way until the very end. My logic to my father is "I'm your adult son. I'm trying to improve your quality of life. But when is someone going to take into account MY quality of life? Who is going to look after me when I'm in my 70s, 80s? I have no kids, and this dreary existence that my father's purposefully created (that I may've enabled; I accept that) is anti-thetical to introducing any chance of Love, Romance, and a shared life."

I've put an agreement in writing between my father and I. Having a written document accomplishes a number of things. One, he can reference when he needs to. Two, I'm able to completely present my perspective. He's got age-related hearing loss, so too often he misses a lot of what I say. And, like most people, after hearing Point One, in his mind he'll start to formulate his retort and miss the rest of what I'm trying to say. Three, by putting it in writing, we avoid the exchange devolving into a counter-productive argument where we laundry-list all of what we think we've done for the other ("well, you're saving money on rent because I'm allowing you to live with me" would be his first response).

Because of his end-stage COPD, I've agreed to move us to a lower altitude. But prior to that move taking place, he'll get that letter where I detail what sort of patterns have happened and which will no longer be acceptable. If I am going to continue to adjust my life, he's capable of adjusting his. I'm calling bullshit on the whole Old Dogs, New Tricks thesis. I will offer to accommodate WITHIN REASON. When his expectations or behaviors become unreasonable he will get the subtle reminder that he'll either while these last days on his alone and on his own or in the an assisted care facility. His finances ain't going to allow for a whole beyond the VA hospital, so I anticipate he'll have no other choice than to be reasonable as he's deathly afraid of the Old Folks Home dynamic.

Present it writing to your mother, DT. Explain that there's no other bond like the one between mother and child, that inherently it's hard-wired for you to do your best to look after her, but that your care-giving will only stay within the bounds of reason. Explain to her that you're not going to die when she dies, that you have a future of your very own. Explain that you're not going to wait for her to die to begin enjoying your life. Explain that everyone dies, including her. Explain that her expectations are unrealistic and not reasonable. Either she can change or, if she doesn't, you've done your part (multiplied by a thousand) and you have a lot of life to live. Either she can get along with you swimmingly or not. And "not" means you're no longer going to be in her life.

I genuinely wish you well. You deserve a life of your own. As do I.

Several people are responding to the "parent as manipulator" theme and the "how to set boundaries with the care receiver" question. That isn't what I hear in DT's post. I think the main issue here is the "loss of self when caregiver role supercedes all else." DT would like to be treated as an individual worthy of respect and compassion (which he certainly is).

Somehow I can't see that clarifying roles with his mother, either in writing or in conversation, at this late date is going to significantly change how the hospice staff, or his nephew, or the ladies in the community treat him. He is near the end of the journey. Mom is on hospice. After caring for her in increasingly demanding ways for 12 years, now that she is dying I can't really see him saying, "This is how you have to treat me or else I'm moving out." Huh? Doesn't make sense to me. Setting boundaries early in the caregiving relationship (to the extent that the loved one can comprehend and comply with them) is one thing. Threatening to withdraw the caregiving of a dying parent just makes me shudder.

Yes, we all need to take care of ourselves, and stand up for ourselves, and be proactive in our own physical and mental health, etc. etc. Somehow I just don't think the message DT needs to hear right now is to man up or stand up for himself or to write an essay for his unimaginative mother. Those messages might indeed be appropriate for other caregivers in somewhat different circumstances.

DT, I think that it is a verifable fact that releatives, professionals, acquaintences, and even strangers focus so much on the needs of the loved one that the caregiver seems to be invisible, or a nonentity, or some kind of servant. DT, you do not deserve that treatment! (And, of course, your mother does not deserve to be in state of poor health that she is in.) There is a lot in the caregiving situation that isn't "fair."

You have none a wonderful service for your mother for many years. I know you will continure to do the best you can for her to the very end. Let me tell you that you are a hero, NOT a nonentity. You know it and we on this board know it. I'm sorry that you have been encountering a lot of people who don't seem to know it, or who are too preoccupied with their tasks to think about acting like they know it.

Keep on keepin' on, in love. This isn't going to last forever.

DT:

As I read your post, I kept thinking of onions and icebergs; and trying to focus on what's underneath the surface. On this site, there's a lot more going on than what people are telling about their lives as caregivers. A few times I've had to take the foot out of my mouth for being so free an easy with the advice. After all, I'm not there to see what you and many others here are really going through. With my words, I try to paint pictures of my world; but at the same time, as I read every post, I try to picture what yours is like. Sometimes I laugh; sometimes my heart feels like it's shrinking, and try as I may not to get emotional those cleansing tears always get their way. ... Sometimes I'm amazed at the resilience of people for whom, like you, surrender is never an option.

Yesterday, during a case conference, I presented John Doe's chart. I reminded the staff that the chart is not the person and stated that I wished he were there to take part in the decision-making that might fundamentally impact his life if he decides to remain a client. AIDS, Hep. C, schizophrenia, incarcerated 1/2 his life, no family, no support system, victim of repeated rapes while in prison. To top it all off, a vicious addition to Ketamine and "Speedballs" (a mixture of heroin & cocaine).

Instead of focusing on how to help this individual, they zeroed in on what I was not doing to help him even though every service I've provided is documented and followed up on. "Maybe you've bitten more than you can chew," "You should do this, you should do that," "Why didn't you come to me for help," etc., etc.. There was a male colleague who indirectly told me I wasn't man enough for the job. I reminded them ours is a methadone clinic, and that it was clear this client needed a higher level of care. Someone said I just wanted the easy way out.

I picked up the chart from the table and put it in the hands of every counselor who didn't think I'm doing the best I can with this client. All I said was "I'm looking for volunteers. Anyone who thinks s/he can do a better job is more than welcome to this case." No one wanted to take it, yet kept shooting their flytraps; this time with "It's not what you said but how you said it," blah, blah, blah.

For about 5 minutes after that, the only sound was their breathing. They kept looking at me as if expecting me to say something else they could pounce on. "Next time you have the audacity to criticize my work, be ready to walk a mile in my shoes. The farthest you're going to get is 1/2 a block. Maybe."

Somebody whispered "Arrogant" from the back of the room. I looked at her and asked if she wanted to ask a question. She said no. I closed with "One thing I don't do is celebrate mediocrity, so what you might call arrogance I call confidence. My clients are the purpose of my day, and that's all that matters. ... Now, does anyone have any suggestions about how to help this man reclaim his life?"

No cigar.

Jeanniegibbs - you nailed it perfectly! You have a halo (or at least an aura...) Except for the hero thing, which I discount - I blush...Mom is what she is,(I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam" toot,toot...) Brian has a good and logical approch, if it works for him more power to him, but I cannot apply it to an illogical situation. though as an outlet for the pressure I agree with it wholeheartedly. I try to keep logic in my own life and approch but the nattering nabobs of cockeyed optomism (mixing my metaphores or something) make it difficult. You cannot even argue someone into a state of logic if they do not understand it. I have said this before, on other threads, but right now, I want everyone to go find their dictionary and look up the word "solipsist". It's an odd word, but it is in my New Oxford, my Funk and Wagnalls, my Brittanica, and on Wiki. The basics are that someone may only believe that the self is all that can be recognized, that everything else is an illusion. The term Narcissism is tossed around a lot, but Narcissism is basicly a mental disorder. I was surprised to read that solipsism is more of a philosophy, like Existentialism. But I think it can also be caused by - and I have said this often too - the lack of imagination. They are discovering so must about the brain, serial killers have been examined and have been found to have little or no function in the center of the brain that governs sympathy and empathy, whatever center governs imagination may be entirely lacking in my mom too, for she has none at all! (Some people discount the left brain/right brain theory but after 30 years in the furniture business I can tell you that it is true!) You may find this hard to believe, but I am here to tell you that it is true. Mom can say that she understands things with her mouth, just to be agreeable but how can you discribe a sunset to a person who has been blind from birth? If she is cold, the house must be cold and she turns up the heat, not recognizing that her heart condition is what is making her cold - I must walk around in the house with a t-shirt on but she will not wear more warm things or even sit under an electric blanket because she does not like to feel "bundled up". If there is a light breeze, the wind is blowing awful. if it is sprinkling, it is raining hard, if there are intermittant clouds, it is gloomy. She would only be comfortable in one of those hermetically, climate controlled chambers or bubble. It has been a life long thing, she did not like eggs or milk, therefore nobody else is allowed to like eggs or milk (even to the extent of making retching noises if I make myself eggs. She is self-conscious about her ears since a little girl in her class when she was about 8 said she had big ears, so she cannot go out of the house whtout her hair being arranged over her ears because everyone will see her big ears. To watch a movie on TV that has more intellectual content than a Fred Astair/Ginger Rogers is so far beyond her, she cannot watch anything I like without making rude comments about the plot, the actors or anything unless I yell at her to be quiet or (abandon her and) go upstairs or downstairs to watch it. (I am reminded of a character in Jane Austin's Mansfield Park who admits that she is selfish, but she must be forgiven as there is no cure for selfishness".) Says it all. It goes on and on, I could write out a dozen examples, but they are just something I have grown up with. Long and short of it, she is not a logical person and a 'contract' of treatment would mean nothing to her. But I can deal with that, it is the others that prompted me to vent with the original question. Anyway, thank you for your supurb encouraging words of empathy, jeanniegibbs.

For one, I will cease giving my opinion on this thread. I am not qualified. I read other thinyou'd couple of you get on your high horse about, and I just roll my eyes, but I would not criticize your comments by taking partial phrases and using them as an example. Ok? Happy Caregiving. Good luck, DT.

Christina - None of us are perfect at putting words on a computer - even some renoun authors are still being discussed as to their underlying meanings and word choices of their writings. I know I use a lot of words and they often do not come out exactly as I would hope, so I hope I have not offended you. I sometimes think that if we were all given the ability to read each other's thoughts (empathy?) those of us alive would have a difficult time as we are taught to keep secrets from birth, but future generations would not have to put up with a lot of obsticles that we secretive humans must deal with every day. I suppose that does not make any sense, just a flight of fancy, but in no way did I mean to be offensive, I was just clarifying my posiion. You are as qualified in your opinions as anyone else here.
Eddie - I would like to hope I am, in your word - resilient - but I am just putting one foot ahead of the other. Great story about your - class(?) - to be able to walk in another's shoes is one of those imagination things I was speaking of earlier. Sometimes it is a learned talent, sometimes the need is never even recognized. One of my favorite things to say is that you can teach a lot of people a lot of things, but the one thing you really can't teach is common sense. Some in your class have a lot to learn aobut life.

CHRIS:

Girl, don't you dare leave me! ... We just met.

Anyway, if I had a quarter for every well-intentioned comment that was thrown back at me I wouldn't need a Xmas club account right now. And If the AgingCare Experts don't have all the answers, neither do we. Because there isn't -- and never will be -- a cookie-cutter formula for caregiving. So we take what we want to get what we need, make it our own, and keep on rocking. Our personal philosophies of caregiving are works in progress in constant need of fine-tuning and refinement.

I'm a businessman of hope in the pursuit of the wisdom it takes to be a better caregiver, a better man, a better person, and a better human being. ... And I won't be able to do that if I hole up every time someone doesn't like what I say.

So please, hang around.