I can't believe how many are in the same boat I am. I am 32 and I take cre of my 81 going to be 82 year old mother. (there's a story there too long to tell) I am the youngest of six kids. I became my mother's full time caregiver when my father passed away in 04 though she did live with my sister for a year but then she decided she didn't want to live with her anymore and moved in with me and my oldest sister in 07. Older sister moved out so we had to find a different apartment as we lost our home when my other sister talked mom into signing it over to her brother in so he could renovate it so she could move home and he would pay the back taxes never happened and we ended up in a huge battle that split the family we are slowly getting back but still there is that whole thing that keeps everyone apart slightly.
My brother moved in over us and now I also watch his two kids along with taking care of mum. I am thankful in a way for the two kids as they help me as much as they can they lost their mom in 07 and I am basically besides their grandma only female they have regular contact with. But i digress Sometimes its a chore to get one of the siblings to help out now ... to take her to her doctors appointments or take us grocery shopping (I only have a learners permit no car) They act like its a chore and now that I might be getting help to pay me for taken care of mum they have a problem with it. They tell me to just get a regular job my question is what the hell do I do with mom ... yeah she goes to day care once or twice a week but that's only for 5 hours that's not long enough to go out and find a job and then there are days shes not up to going what do I do then tell them Oh I can't come in cause I have to watch mom . They don't realize that taking care of your parent is a FULL time 24/7 job. I had help last year for awhile till my nephew who doesn't work decided he didn't want to do it anymore. Said he couldn't deal with mom I was attending college to get my degree so I could get a good job so I could help mom out more but I had to drop out in October as I no longer had the help. Yes she goes to adult day care but they can only take her for so long in the day and more employers want you flexible which I can't be as mom is my top priority. I just get frustrated