Elder Caregiving - Siblings do Little or Nothing

by Garry
(Lorain, OH)

My wife's father moved in with our family over 10 years ago when her mother suffered a severe stroke and had to be confined in a nursing home.

Since that time the other five siblings have slowly backed away from any care or assistance. Visiting their parents very infrequently, if at all.

Out of a family of six children, five daughters and one son, three daughters have moved out of state (two to sunny Florida), leaving one brother nearby but who visits very infrequently and helps very little with giving us respite or help with rides to appointments etc. My wife and I still work full-time jobs, while most of the remaining siblings do not work or are retired. The burn-out we experience is overwhelming at times.

My in-laws have no assets left, and I really feel this is one reason no one visits or cares. Very few of the grandchildren or great grandchildren make any attempt to visit, even on holidays. No one believes that this is the scenario that we have been left with, but it is emotionally draining for both of us.