Apologies to those who have read/ replied this elsewhere; I didn't understand there were different communities. and sorry it's so long.
I have become involved in supporting a non-relative, an acquaintance,
who has had increasing serious medical conditions, leading to
disability. These are physical, not cognitive impairment, except
insofar as serious illness and pain naturally causes psychological
suffering too.
This person has adult children and some other
relatives. they take a mostly hands-off approach to her and her difficulties. One son in particular, the one she sees more
often, being nearer in distance, is very domineering and has taken a
dislike to me. She adores him, is almost totally uncritical of him,
often appearing scared or subservient to him. In short, he bullies
her. I am concerned for her, but the situation is difficult, as he
sees me as interfering, and he thinks he knows best, about everything.
she looks up to him, but
his influence is not entirely to her benefit. I am trying to be fair
and calm here. I have gone with her to every medical appt for the last
4-5 years, literally hundreds. She still asks me to do so. Last Wed
for example, from 10;30am to 8pm, and I am requested next
Mon, to be ready from 7am, also Tues from noon to all afternoon. she
has to travel in hosp transport, so there is much waiting around.
Her
sons have never gone to any appt with her. She had two critical
episodes in Resus this year. I was with her throughout. Her son implied that I ought to have
let her sleep. I said sleep did not come into it, that the dr said
they might not be able to save her life. This was met with the same
stony stare from her son. No reaction.
The whole situation has made me quite ill at times, felt I am going
mad. I was with her every day for ten weeks in hosp; her son came
occasionally. I got up and out early, for meetings, at greater expense
to be present, put her concerns to drs, matrons, therapists etc. Her
family never did.
Reading today of a woman who suffered coercive
control from her partner, I do have concerns. but if the one who is
being oppressed does not see it, would never dream of complaining,
what can an outsider do. She sometimes speaks to me harshly, unfairly
and I do feel taken for granted. But I cannot leave her, she is so vulnerable.
Her son tells her she should not have
the careworker more than once a day, despite being doubly incontinent,
bed-bound, with unhealed extensive surgical wounds, upper and lower
leg, immuno-suppressed, and severe arthritis etc. she cannot use knife and fork, has to have food pre-cut. he says she should
be able to clean herself. Not only is this impossible, it is not safe.
She nearly died, twice, this year from galloping infections. Her son
does not defer to anyone. He seems to have a Napoleon complex. I
avoid him. He is scary, aggressive, dictatorial, critical, no humour,
or empathy. She loves him, deludes herself that he has her best
interests at heart. The careworker mentioned to him that there was no
bread or fruit, he said he was busy. He was in the house from 3-10pm,
with a car, less than half a mile from late opening shops. This is
only one example of his attitude.
He comes to her house to hack at the
garden and move around things in the house, much of it his junk, also in sheds. He has 4-5 old cars taking up space,
impeding the use she could make of her premises. It's as if it is his
house and he lets her live there if she does as she's told. Another
friend commented that his idea of clearing a space for her to come
home to, had made the living area like an obstacle course.
I had to persuade the careworker, who is excellent, not to leave, as
she said the son is crazy, doesn't want to run into him. which I can
quite understand. but the mother sees no wrong in him, and gets angry
at me if I suggest maybe her family could ring the GP, or get pads for
her, or apply for blue badge etc. says they don't know about these, and that I'm having a go at her family.
so why am I left to do it by them, yet accused of interfering in their family. but that aspect is secondary. I'm really worried about her.
The person who is closest to her, has the most influence, brooks no opposition, is not good for her. maybe he is mentally disordered, I don't know. this morning he insisted she get into chair before careworker came. so not cleaned or pad changed, after all night. hence mess spread to front bottom, risking ingress to bladder, esp as she has catheter. already has multi-resistant klebsiella urinary tract infection. nearly died in April with uro-sepsis. careworker told me as she was concerned, knows risks.
I cannot report to any officials as the mother loves her son, won't hear or confirm a word against him. would cut me off, leaving her further in his clutches, and the good careworker would leave too. don't think she'd last long in those circs. what a waste that would be, after 2 close shaves, this spring, multi surgeries, etc.
and so I am snookered.
any ideas, support, suggestions gratefully received. thank you