Dad’s 96 and has many things going on medically. He gave me, his youngest child, the daunting task of being his POA, medical POA and Trustee. The last year and a half has been a blur of selecting an ALF, moving him from his home of 40+ years, going through everything he ever owned & deciding what to keep and what was estate sale, selling his house & car, helping him adjust to AL life, activating LTC insurance, applying for VA benefit and helping him through the various stages of his ailments night and day. It’s a difficult, time consuming, and pretty much a thankless task. I was recently told I am depressed. Shouldn’t come as a big surprise but it still made me angry. Everyone depends on me for literally everything when it comes to dad. Easily the hardest task I’ve ever undertaken. I have awful thoughts these days which brings on guilt. Although I’ve been told these secret thoughts, as dark as they are, are normal and most long term caregivers have them. They come from the ups and downs of hearing, your dad is dying and then your dad’s doing much better. For 9 months I’ve been stuck on this ride. I’m sad, angry, unable to cope, scream at my husband or anyone who challenges my caregiving or decisions. I am tired and at the end of my rope. No I won’t do anything to harm myself. I believe in God and Jesus and hope to make it to heaven one day. Last week I was told he probably has 30-45 days left. At his age, I’ve wondered many times if this will be our last Christmas, birthday and so on. Today WILL be our last Father’s Day! Bittersweet 😢. So I’m going to say, thanks dad for teaching me how to fish, ride motorcycles, and how to drive a stick shift. (I’m female) Thanks for teaching me how to change a tire, spark plugs and many other auto related things. Thanks for being the father figure my boys needed so desperately. And even though I’ve hated it at many times, thank you for trusting me to take care of you and all of your affairs. Thanks for being my dad through thick and thin. Thanks for loving me. Even though he’s had a long and happy life, I cannot wrap my head around all the “last” things I’m getting ready to experience... starting today. I am preparing myself to go spend our last Father’s Day together. Please pray for me and my dad.
Yes, I definitely was burned out as Dad approached the end of life, much more so than before as I knew what was coming. Even though I decided to focus on making his life as rewarding as it could during the time remaining, I still feel I fell short b/c I was so physically and emotionally exhausted. But I did the best I could, especially in finding a good facility for him, in helping with the dysphagia care, in working closely with and sometimes demanding explanations or changes if I didn't agree with some aspect of the care. And that takes an emotional toll in itself.
Anticipatory grief is I think inherent in caring for someone at the end of life. In retrospect, I would say again - say what you need to say so that you don't have regrets. Put other life issues aside; he's a higher priority.
And don't plan a lot of work for post death activities. You may be so overcome that thoughts aren't clear and planning is difficult. If you can, identify what immediate tasks have to be done, start them if you can, and when he's gone, remember those that need to be immediately addressed and those that can be deal with later.
But look what you've given him. For each task that has tried your mental and physical health, think of the rewards that it's brought to your father. And YOU accomplished that, you enabled it to happen so that his end of life experience could be better.
And now he is in fact approaching that stage. What I would do if I had to do it over again is what I actually did.
I focused on my father, on reminiscing if he wanted to, of just talking (father to daughter and daughter to father), of how much I learned from him, how much I admire his skills, and especially his self taught knowledge of metal and woodworking. I'd especially address how much I admire his tenacity, his determination, will and strength to overcome obstacles. And, especially important, what a basically good person and good father he is.
Don't forget to tell him that you were able to accomplish the things you've done for him because of the contributions he's made to your life. He enabled you to be the caring daughter that you are. And say those things soon; I was unprepared for how quickly my father would lost the desire and ability to speak.
Other than basic tasks at home, let the others go; there will be time for them after his life has ended. And the time from now on is better spent on something that can't be done later, and that's to spend time with your father.
Your last sentences attest to the love and pride you feel for being his daughter. Let those be the words he remembers as he drifts through the remaining time he has.