Family Conflictions

[beartalon]

Comments

[allanh]

[part 2 of 3 parts to work around LJ's 4,300 chacter reply limit

[allanh]

[part 3 of 3 parts to work around LJ's 4,300 chacter reply limit

[allanh]

Some other thoughts:

1. I don't know how this works in Canada (sorry!), but you really need to look into getting a power of attorney for your mom.

2. Ditto some sort of healthcare power of attorney or living will to specify how she should be treated at live end-stage (kept alive on machines? tube fed? comfort measures only?)

Given that you've described family issues, only you and whatever siblings you trust should be named as official caregivers on these documents. This will probably be the messiest part of the situation to deal with.

[beartalon]

I'll take some time to process all this. Thank you, Allan, for such an excellent summary. I am very grateful.

[allanh]

Creating this summary prompted me to create a slightly expanded version which I've just posted a link to in a "sticky" entry at the top of both my DW and LJ blogs.

Both that entry and the "Compassionate Communication" entry have been linked to from the sticky entry, and all have been flagged public...so you can send family members and friends to this link to give them the same information:

http://allanh.livejournal.com/1766594.html

[beartalon]

I'm about to post an update about my mother. It's brief but at least a start toward care.