How does one deal with a narcissistic mother who is very old?

Answer 1

With love and respect. She has cancer. You need to get past everything else.

I doubt your mother is narcassistic, but fighting for her life, or she has been preparing herself for her death. If she is cranky, teary-eyed, hard on you (the caregiver) then it's all quite normal. My own mother suffered from Dementia (early signs of Alzheimer's) and she was very hard on me. I was accuse from everything from fooling around with her insulin to stalking her. Of course this was not true, and as hurt as I was I simply would agree with her and basically "take the beating of verbal abuse." They can't help it and I dealt with this behavior from her as realizing my mother was simply a shadow of her former self and had absolutely no control over her Dementia. This isn't about you, but her. Look at your mother as a woman first and not just your mother. You've been together for a long time (good or bad) so finish off the journey with dignity and if not love (from past hurts) respect and help your mother die in peace by being there.

God Bless

I'm not going to go out and say that your mother isn't narcissistic. She very well may be. I'm not sure what your life has been like - how old you are, what she's put you through, what you've put her through... and so on. There isn't really a great and clear answer to this question in specific, but the most I can tell you - that anyone can - is to hold your tongue when she goes on the "world for me, I deserve all" kick, to do whatever you can to help her be comfortable. There's really not much else you can do. You're not going to change her this late in the game, I'm betting, and she's just going to be her. That's it. Don't go overboard and melt yourself on some fire of martyrdom just to appease her but don't blow up in her face, either. Keep in mind it's your mother - you'll miss her when she's gone. .........Obligatory self-plug: my mother, who was physically and verbally abusive, bi polar and skitzo [literally] recently died of cancer... and it matters, very much, now that she's gone..... There are things you can't foresee feeling, at times - as abstract as that is, try to keep it in mind. Even though she's narcissistic, she is a person who tried to raise you. No matter what f-ed up things she may have done - or things she didn't do that you needed - she embodies this idea, this "not being alone" in the world, that's hard to comprehend when she's sitting right in front of you, being the wacky person I'm sure she can be, judging from the fact that you felt strongly enough to post this question. Think about what she means to you, and if she died, what would that do to you? Do you have hope for her? Do you want a normal mother? Do you feel like her sickness makes you afraid for that, for the potential loss of it? Thinking about these things can help you appreciate her in all her quirks now, before you can't look at her and tell you that you love her and truly mean it - and be able to see her smile, or at least know in your heart that you've done the right thing.

TIPS TO GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK:

• Contact the Cancer Assoc., because there is help for some assistance in caring for your mother. This will give you a break and let you get out once in awhile and away from the stress.
• Hire a private nurse to come in every other day or even twice a week if you can afford it. If not, ask for help from another family member or a good friend.

It's important that you take all the help you can get from the Cancer Assoc. Stress isn't good for you and don't feel guilty about having 'time off' and getting out with friends and enjoying yourself. If you don't look after yourself then you can't help your mother. Your mother could well be a narcissist, but, my bet is she is terrified and treatment for cancer can be hard on a patient. Be firm with your mother every so often if you feel she is being too hard on you. She relies on you more than you know and she won't press too hard for fear you'll walk away. Don't bully her, just be firm and let her know you have your limitations. If possible try getting her out into the land of the living even if you have to put her in a wheel chair.

God Bless

Answer 2

there is no point in responding. Just run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.

Answer

It depends whether you need her in your life and if you can manage the boundaries. For instance, living in another city would prevent daily drama, and you could visit for hours without having your life on hold. You may want to take this up with a therapist to make a life plan so that you can avoid the ups and downs that are part of this sort of family member.

Answer 3

block her incoming calls.