So my grandmother is moving from her house in CT to a new condo a mile away from my parents house, I already flew out there and drove her and her car back and she's not settled in her house yet, so she's with us. My parents conviently decide to leave for Hawaii at the same time, leaving me, my grandmoter, and two brother here. My grandmother is driving me completely crazy. She's my grandma and of course I love her and all but she's starting to lose touch with reality and it's too difficult for me to be on top of everything. I can't go 5 minutes witout her calling me, I'm constantly being required to run errands, and she asks me the same questions over and over. I had to take her to the store today and almost felt like running in front of a metro bus, she takes about 90 minutes to get dressed, seriously, she wanted to come with me while I took my younger brother to work so we could stop at the store, but she still wasn't ready by the time he had 10 minutes before he was scheduled, as a result I just took him and came back to take her. I'm really happy my parents leave me the babysitting job, I have a constant headache and she keeps asking me everything like I have a rolodex of all the universes answers in my head. I don't know what to do, I can't last a week
-
Going Insane
-
People with dementia are really hard work to look after. What's more, it gets worse. From what you describe, it sounds like what probably was hardly noticeable beginning dementia has become worse because of the stress of moving to a new environment. It's quite possible your grandma won't be able to cope with living by herself in a new house.
For how long will your parents be in Hawaii? I think you should tell them what she is like now - they probably have no idea, and it is going to need planning for.
-
Oh they know, she's sharp I mean she knows what's going on and can handle herself but se asks the same thing several times and forgets were she puts things. She handled the sale of her house all on her own for the most part. I don't can't handle being everyones caretaker.
-
God shes fucking wandering around the house aimlessly checking in every room for god knows what, im getting very irritated. yesteray the power went out for like 20 min cause of a thunderstorm and she keeps asking me how to call the electric company, like im the one paying the damn bill
-
The wandering aimlessly around sounds very typical of senile dementia. :frowning:
-
yeah whats the difference between "dementia" and alzheimersthats why we had her move here, i would have thougt shed be better off in florida, seems cruel to make her spend her time in ohio
-
Dementia is a set of symptoms that is the result of brain loss or deterioration. Senile dementia is when this happens in old age. Alzheimer's is a common disease that causes senile dementia, due to plaques forming in the brain. It's not the only possible cause (for example, alcoholism can cause it), but it's probably the most common.People with dementia usually have difficulty in learning new things. Putting them in new surroundings is difficult for them, though they will eventually get more used to them. They tend not to remember things you have told them two minutes ago. As the dementia gets worse, they start losing their memories and skills in more or less the reverse order they got them, latest ones going first.They can get very difficult when they don't remember why something is not there that used to be there, and they accuse people of stealing it.
-
please take care of your self first. We do, however, have an obligation to care for our elders. It's one of those things that sets us apart from some of our cousins in the animal world.Ineligible's comments are quite correct.
-
yeah but im about to just pack up and leave my house. shes not easy to deal with, its not just her being old and all, its just her personality. picture georges mom on seinfeld, shes kinda like that
-
LOL! sure, I understand. My dad once refered to his mother as "a miserable old bitch".hang in there
-
Lots of old people are. They often forget about manners and assume everyone younger (which is nearly everyone) is inferior and should show them respect. And they still see their sons and daughters (now probably in their fifties) as little kids.Not all old people are like that, of course, but it's all too common.
-
Dang... I can only imagine if I had to live alone with either of my grandparents.. I'd probably crack eventually and kill them or something...My grandparents are so annoying.. everything they do just pisses me off and they don't even mean to piss me off most of the times, it's just what they do...
-
just think of your self as 'above' them.
-
I told my parents they owe me something big for doing this, I refused to pay him anything else I owe on my car repair (about $1,500).
-
I hope you didn't express it as bluntly as that, white_lines. If you want people to do things for you, you have to look at things from their point of view and express yourself in a way that will appeal to them.Diplomacy is power.
-
My dad was in HI on business so my mom planned to join him as her birthday gift. Her idea was "fuck everyone else it's their problem, I'm going off to hawaiii". yes i did express it bluntly as that, they had a "you take care of it all, i dont give a fuck" attitude with me
-
It seems that the problems with people skills might be a family heritage.
-
In reply to:
It seems that the problems with people skills might be a family heritage.
No that isn't the case. I should have had this house to myself anyhow, the only reason we required a "baby-sitter" is because of my asshole brother who would have all his friends over drinking and get everyone arrested. It ended up us practically babysitting grandma.
-
It will be over soon, I had to take care of my great grandma, and she kept calling me her daughter or some lady called tabia (old jewish lady, who thought she was back in russia). I thought it was hell, i had to grind up carrots and feed her mashed potatoes and bend over backwards for her, and believe me, you have it easy cause you know what she was saying. My greatgrandma kept talking russian and i dont know hardly any russian! So just hang it there, be pleasant. It will be over soon. And dont expect people to give you stuff, when its your own family and your responsibilty to take care of your family.
-
good thing she isnt that bad, at least she can fend for herself because i never would agree to do that much. shes too much to take care of and not get a reward for, and its not really a reward,i just dont owe money.