I live for free with a 92 year old woman in a wheel chair and she verbally attacks me every chance she gets. I've lived with her for 1.5 years now and am just realizing the emotinal toll it takes. Sometimes I wonder if its worth it. I've saved a lot of money, but its very triggering b/c I was verbally abused as a child.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Answers

it's not worth it. simple solution- move

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

Katie, sorry for these postings. I'm deleting them. Perhaps you can join our safe-support group, at http://www.safe4all.org/ help.html . I'm planning on updating the bboard we use soon, so I can more easily filter out responses like these.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

Numerous elderly individuals become embittered with life merely due to their old age, and being fed up with its hassles. By the age of 92, this woman is evidently one among those. Try to speak with her as an equal, rather than a responsibility. This may break some barriers she has up against you. Believe me, ever since my Grandfather suffered a masssive stroke, my Grandmother and everyone around him ridicules him and treats him as if he were an infant merely because he can't function well any longer and suffers from memory loss. Examples: he can't dress himself, bathe himself, eat on his own. I've seen the expression on his face, and it pains me. At times, I feel ready to slap my drunken step Aunt across the face when she asks him, "Do you remember your Granddaughter, Leslie?" Elderly people are mistreated. It's a simple fact.

-- Anonymous, June 08, 2002