Brothers of my Elderly Parent

by Jane
(milwaukrr)

My mother is in her late 80's and should not be living by herself. I had successfully enrolled her in an independent living situation but when my brother came in to visit (lives 4 hrs away) my mother cried and he told her she did not have to move. This was 5 years ago, presently I travel 4-5 days per week and my brother promised to help by coming in every 2-3 months to help with grocery shopping, hair cuts and social interaction however in one year he has come in once and sent his wife twice.

Today, my mother has called me 3 times to tell me that she is not feeling well and her doctor told her that if she does not feel any better she should go to the ER. This is her pattern when something upsets her.... she becomes extremely anxious and develops these vague symptoms and goes to the ER.

I know I sound insensitive however, I have been to the ER more times than I care to mention. I want my brother to take more responsibility for our elderly parent, his mother and not just offer lip service. I can not continue to have this demanding job and care for my mother on the weekend.

So, what do I do next? I have tried talking with him, sending e-mails and he talks the good talk but never follows up and once told me that he and his wife already have done this however it was for his wife's elderly parents. I am single and no longer can have this stress in my life with my current job. My brother has his own company and with the economy, I do not know how he is doing also.

I have not been home on a Friday for 4 weeks and plan on attending a dinner party this evening, and told my mother who thinks she might need to go to the ER to call a cab and let my brother know who is staying in Chicago this weekend.

I do not know where to turn next