Dear Abby: My daughter lives rent-free as my caretaker. Should her brothers help, too?

Greetings, Abby

I’m a woman with a number of medical conditions. I am currently confined to a wheelchair and require assistance with daily tasks due to a fall that occurred last year. My daughter, who is 36 years old, moved in with me after splitting from her fiancé. She works as my home attendant now.

According to my daughter, her two brothers ought to assist with my care as well. Both of them work. She shouldn’t expect them to do more, in my opinion, if she is living in my house for free and getting paid to look after me. I go food shopping with them. She wants them to clean the cat litter box, take out the trash, and come over. Is she correct? IN NEW YORK AND NEEDING ASSISTANCE

DEAR I NEED ASSISTANCE:

It’s possible that your daughter is helping you as best she can. Cleaning the cat litter box and taking out the garbage once a week would allow your sons to spend time with you and maybe give her an hour or so to take care of herself. That shouldn’t be too much to ask, in my opinion.

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Abigail Van Buren, better known as Jeanne Phillips, is the author of Dear Abby. Her mother, Pauline Phillips, began the company. Get in touch with Dear Abby via P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069, or at www.DearAbby.com.

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