I am 29 years old, full time caregiver for my father since I work from home. He is 75 years old with numerous chronic health issues, he's been sick for many years and it has progressively gotten worse. He is still able to go to the bathroom by himself and shower, but its difficult for him. I make his meals every day, do all the daily tasks, clean, etc. He can walk a short distance but then has to sit down.
I haven't gone out on a date in over 7 months, nor have I really hung out with my friends because he is so worried about the virus. My social life has basically completely stopped. I don't even go out shopping for myself. I am at home 24/7 with him. I finally met someone I may be interested in, so I scheduled a date this week to meet him. When I told my dad this, he freaked out and said I was going to bring home the virus, how he's so worried about me going out at night (he's always been an over-protective parent but the older he gets, the worse this gets even though I am 29 years old).
He said its a bad idea and something horrible could happen to me. He says I shouldn't leave him alone with my cat because he's worried about my cat, too (my cat has his own room and stays in there if I leave the house so he shouldn't worry about this either). He keeps saying I'm probably going to have a drink on the date and something bad will happen if I drive (I'm responsible and don't drink & drive).
We spent a whole two hours today going back and forth about this. I am now filled with guilt and worried about leaving him alone for my date. I know intellectually I shouldn't feel this way. I deserve to have one night out after 7 months of nothing. It almost brought me to tears because I am so frustrated and angry that he's making me feel so bad about something so normal. Its like I can't have my own life.
He said "Fine, I should just go into a nursing home." Just because I want to go out on one date! Its like he's threatening me with moving into a nursing home because he knows that will fill me with even more guilt. It seems he loves feeling sorry for himself and I'm tired of it. He doesn't like when I leave the house at all for anything. He thinks something bad is always going to happen to me even if I leave the house for 30 minutes.
Now I probably won't even enjoy myself on the date. I'll be too worried about him having a heart attack from worrying so much, my head won't be in the game. So ridiculous!
I appreciate any advice, and whether or not you think I should feel guilty for going. If you think I should cancel the date or just go.
The danger of the virus might be a bigger problem. You need to keep your exposure to any people outside the house at an absolute minimum, esp right now while Delta COVID and the newer Mu variant are increasingly contagious and increasingly vaccine resistant.
If the young man you are eager to meet is someone of character, he will be willing to delay an in-person date until conditions are safer. If he issues some sort of "meet me now or never" ultimatum, then you do not want to pursue that relationship anyway.
Here are my thoughts: You might want to consider assembling a team to help you make the best choices in this situation for YOU. Not your dad; YOU. He's lived his life, and now wants to live through you. No.
Find a good therapist who understands the challenges of geriatric care-giving; pour your heart out to this person. You will get unbiased help.
I hope you will seriously consider a nursing home for your father. It's only a matter of time before he experiences a critical event in his health. Better it happens with trained help nearby.
Good luck.
Like you, I was working from home but found it impossible to keep up with work because of my mother's constant interruptions. She is healthy and has friends, but is just very needy and a drama queen. She is quite cross at the minute because I have just got myself a full-time job outside the house. I told her I needed to make myself financially secure. Happy to help her but I need a life too.
I too am a full time care giver of a senior parent and disabled sister. I took on this task after I retired from my last job after 31 years and moved them into my home even though they were okay in their own home. In their home they cooked, sometimes and took care of themselves even though I went by two or three times a week to prepare meals, do the banking, go grocery shopping etc. After moving them into my home which I believed was a major convenience my life have become a 24 hour call to service. They are capable of doing things for themselves but they do nothing. They sit at the table three times a day for meals and return to their rooms. I limit my time around other people because of my mom's age and the covid issue but I have to go out, I go to the store, I go to the bank, I meet with contractors and I take them to all their doctor's appointments. I've been wearing a mask everywhere go for over a year and it's not uncomfortable for me.
With all this being said I refuse to become a prisoner in my own home. A social worker suggested boundaries but the more I try to remove myself the more complaints they have ultimately trying to make me feel guilty for having a life. Even If I have a friend stop by practicing social distancing my sister who has controlled seizure disorder will fall on the floor or fall out of a chair. My mom will say she's feeling "icky" and I need to stop what I'm doing to make her tea. My mom is 98 and still very capable of getting around. My sisters seizures only happen when she has an audience. Hmmmmmmmmmm... If I feel like going out I am going to go out...I might meet my girlfriend at a outdoor venue for lunch or a glass of wine. I look in on them when I am out and I call to check on them. Ironically they won't answer the phone so I used to race back home to see if something was wrong. ........ I retired in 2017 I moved them into my home in late 2020 and I now work 7 days a week from 7 in the morning until 9 at night. Boundaries. I need to set them....I need to take time for me, and I am not going to feel guilty about it......
It is not healthy to not be able to vent, to breath, to laugh and to have a happy social life at your age if it's safe and you are practicing healthy protocols even in your dating. Enjoy your life...take a day or a few hours for you every once in a while and do it the safe and healthy way so that you do not become the victim or your own self inflicting or created anxiety. Don't feel guilty for wanting to be a person. Peace love and prayers for you and your dad..
Tell your Father that you will be going out once a week and if that's a problem for him then you'll be happy to take him to tour some Senior Homes if that's what he wants.
these elderly people are very unfair on us adult children, if I were you I would look for some paid care so you can at least meet your friends. If you don’t start putting your foot down with your dad you are not going to have any sort of life. Your dad is guilt tripping you into being there for him24/7, that is not how a loving parent should treat their adult children.
Go out on that special date and have fun. Meeting time with your dad to set things straight. Insist on having time to yourself. Your dad is fortunate that you are helping him but he needs to let you live your life. Covid could be around for a long time. You can't put yourself in a bubble. Take precautions as CDC advices.
You are an adult, and if this is a "safe" date virus-wise, just explain that to him, and go.
That is why they have respite care so that caregivers and caretakers can have a break.
Caretaking can be exhausting and draining..... the demands of the person you are caring for.... the rudeness and condescending remarks sometimes.
Sometimes they play on your kindness just to feel superior in the fact that you won't have time for anything or anyone else.
You can check into respite care or another caretaker to care for him when you need to take a break, that way you know he is ok, they have your phone number and can call you instantly if something comes up or an emergency.
You are young you deserve to find happiness!
Go have a little fun and don't feel guilty....
Don’t let your miserable father destroy your life. My mother lived by herself until she died at 84 and she had several medical problems. Your father should be doing a lot more for himself.
Do whatever you want. Too many parents guilt their children.
The next time he says "Fine, I should go into a nursing home" make an appointment at the place of your choice and take him for a visit.
He is being totally selfish. He can't make you feel guilty unless you let him do it. It is very important how you react to his threats. He is the one who should be feeling guilty not YOU.
It is time for you to have a life. You are much too young to be locked in with your dad. He could out live you if you continue to let him stress you.
STOP LETTING HIM CONTROL YOU! Do not let him trap you into having no life.
You are in control, only you can make a difference. You sound like a wonderful daughter but its time for action, not guilt!
* Realize that he cannot 'make you' feel guilty. You feel this way and you are the only person who can change how you feel.
* You are too young - at 29 - or even 39 or 49 - to be a FULL TIME care giver. Insist on your dad to make other arrangements where you are responsible for part of the time caregiving.
* If you do not change your life now - to have a life - and a quality life - it will be harder as time goes on. You will continue to psychologically and emotionally 'adjust' to a very unhealthy way of 'believing' and 'feeling'.
* You first need to REALIZE that you deserve a better life than what you currently have. This won't be easy however, it is essential.
* Tough Love is needed here. For both of you. Love yourself and do what you need to do. Love your dad with boundaries on you/r time and care.
Gena / Touch Matters
If you aren't working, get a job, start on the road to independence. All baby birds leave the nest, you need to leave too, it is time. He is not thinking about your happiness at all, is he? Don't let this selfish old man have that power over you. If you don't know what to say when he starts, just say, "I am so sorry you feel that way." Notice I said "." period. No arguing, no explaining, just over and over say the same thing. If he keeps it up, go for a walk. If you need some professional help, get it. If you don't know where to get it, let the people on this forum help you.
Same with my mother, she actually said that one time! I didn't pay much attention because it sounded like her regular manipulative and controlling thing and I was reacting. Now I can see how scared could apply to her!
If I said I was scared she would push me right out of the nest! And has!
It is hard to see the behavior for what it is while you are reacting to it as you would have as a teenager.
SummerReya listen to us who have gone before. Caring for him is only part of your life right now, don't let yourself be set aside!
You need to start separating yourself from your father in order to begin making a life for yourself. I KNOW this is hard. But I also know about guilt. And I am much older than you and can look back and see how life has led up to this point.
I am 67 and started staying at home with my 96 y.o. mom the beginning of last year. My husband passed away over 20 years ago; it has probably been at least 10 years since I have dated. Much of it because too many hours with work / long hours. But then also, my mom always had this "look" when I'd bring someone home and to meet her, like "not good enough". It was a look that made me dread "the next time". And eventually I stopped going out.
But, over the last couple of months, I am starting (baby steps !) to be "me" again, motivated, writing and printing out a diet plan and sticking to it, cutting out all wine/alcohol (while I diet :) ), and getting up and cooking 3 meals a day for us, doing other odds and ends around the house, AND seriously looking for work.
I haven't done that for awhile as I reasoned that I would only come out about $10/hr pay after spending $$ for full-time caregiver, which is expensive for 40 hrs/wk. And I am so experienced with her medical emergencies and can manage well with being at home 24/7. BUT, my mom may live another 10 years; your dad maybe way longer than that (think about that! ) and I am really beginning to need to be out and around other people (eventually dating here and there again). I still worry about the caregiver thing, but I WILL work it out, and eventually, Mom will enjoy someone else being here. We will wind up having new things to talk about when we do have time together. And it will be good for her to "depend" on others. Because, there is always that chance that something could happen to me first .... she would be devastated.
And as far as the COVID thing, yeah I worried a lot about that but it has been so long now, that I am tired of worrying. There will ALWAYS be something. I am motivated now.... and that is what you MUST work on for yourself. YOU are important and need that.
You are young, very young. You have an entire life ahead of you which should be made full with your needs and dreams. Go on your date. Laugh, go out the door and "let go" the moment you close the door.
And then, SOON, make a plan to take a day, or even the majority of a day, to yourself, get out of the house. Go somewhere nice and quiet and enjoyable, maybe a park. And bring a small notebook and pen with you. Start making a plan. Make a list of things you'd like to do, start small. Have one list of small things, and maybe a list of big things you'd like to accomplish with your life over the next year or couple of years. When you think of things, write it down, put it in the appropriate list. We can't always think of things clearly or in order, but if you can get it written down, then you can add to it any time you think of something.
Once you get started, start a written plan of ways to accomplish. Maybe start with a small notebook you can keep with you throughout the day. And on that list include small things, like take a walk each day, bring your phone/camera and take a picture of a few things that you "love", a pretty flower or tree, someone's pet, maybe a unique house or window or door, things that you can look back and remember what it felt like getting outside and away.
Find time each day to do something enjoyable, non-caregiver related. In your backyard, or in your room with the door closed, headphones and listen to music maybe just 15 or 20 minutes.
Maybe you'd like to take a class somewhere, learn something new you enjoy and can interact with others with a similar interest, maybe a college course.
Along the way, consider preparing yourself and your father for an eventual break of your not living together and being his constant companion and caregiver. Take care and good luck!
Whenever, I left my mom to go workout, I told her that I was going to "physical therapy." It was not a lie! And, it made her less paranoid.
Sometimes with the elderly, you have to use "therapeutic lying" to help them to cope.
Go on your date, and try not to feel guilty.
Hope you went on the date!! Let us all know how it goes ! We care about you!!
How was the date?
So if there’s going to be a relationship, you might as well address Covid head on. Is the date vaccinated? How is the date handling work & play? Could the date be outside - picnic, outdoor restaurant, hike or walk on the beach? What portion of the date could include a mask? If you have a plan in place, dad doesn’t have a reason to worry and you can enjoy your date.
Are you vaccinated? If yes and if the date is vaccinated, you'll be fine and you can take whatever precautions you feel necessary for your particular situation.
Honestly, I don't think your father is worried about you as much as he is worried about himself. He is worried that 'something is going to happen to you' and that means that his life will be upended.
And yes, it is time for him to stop being selfish, allow you to have your life, and move into a nursing home, or Assisted Living if that is an option. Then you can VISIT him on a weekly basis, have your life, and start regaining some normalcy.
Other people can't tell you how to feel (guilty or not), and frankly, other people can't make you feel guilty. You decide that for yourself.
You may consider finding a therapist who you can work with to help you help your father make a transition to having his own life so that you can go back to living your life. You've done an amazing job, so far, and you've been selfless and generous. Your father is going to decline, it will get harder and his needs will increase. Now is the time to get help before he gets needier.
Good luck!
Honestly, he should be in a NH. You're too young to throw your life away, otherwise you'll be left with nothing when he inevitably dies.