What a mess and and unneeded hassle for you @Kitty Carmel ...he doesn't seem like the easiest person to deal with even under normal circumstances.
Maybe he means his extra blank checks are in that drawer @Kitty Carmel. Wouldn't he have needed his checkbook when he went in the hospital, etc. or for paying any recent bills? It would seem he would have an area for bill paying that you might find the checkbook in. Or maybe in the things he took to the hospital. I know it makes it harder on you...but he is 88 years old and I'm sure it's getting harder to remember the things he used to have no problem recalling.
@Babs Hunt and @Chrissy Cross Thanks for your replies. I saw him this morning and asked again about the checks. He says the book is in that drawer and told me where the extra checks are if I can't find the book. I asked why he had the check book in such a heavy hard to get to draw and as I suspected he said something like "someone could break in" This is so rediciulous. Firstly no one is there now and secondly he lives in a 55 plus mobile park. Safe, close nosy neighbors. NO ONE is breaking in. I'm sure the medical bills will roll in. He has medicare and supplemental through his retirement with the county. He has money but acts like he is broke. In the end it could all go to a nursing home.
My brother also called. Conversation went so-so. He asked if I have a problem taking care of our stepfather all while he is 3000 miles away. And he insists he offered for our stepfather to move back east which of coarse he wasn't going to do. Support from him is iffy.
Does he have any biological children? Are you and your brother both step children? Did he raise you? Are you close? Not being nosey, just curious.
@Chrissy Cross Don't worry about asking questions. He has no biological children. I was about 7 when he and my mother got married. My oldest brother was then almost 18 and left shortly. So it was myself and my other brother 2 years older than me. Close is hard to say. Home life was so bad. I can just remember as a kid being glad when my mother was screaming at my stepfather because she then wasn't screaming at me at the time. It's such a complicated mess. He was the only father figure I ever had but I've never felt close to him. But I can't just abandon him as he put up with my mother, supported us. Without his income we would have been up the creek. But he stayed with my mental case mother all those years. I couldn't wait to get out of the house. Then she just had him to torture.
Thanks for the info @Kitty Carmel ...yes, you're in a tough position. It certainly doesn't help that he's such a pain in the butt type of person....frustrating to say the least. It would be nice if you could get your brother to help..in some way. 3,000 miles is quite a distance though.
Thanks a lot @Chrissy Cross I went in for the meeting today. It was just the social worker and head of therapy. The therapy lady seemed pretty sharp. She has concerns about living alone once he goes home but stated he is doing well with therapy. On track or above. They talked about assisted living. Those places are so expensive. But he could swing it with savings also if all isn't taken by bills. Though he should be covered with most of the medical bills. Just hard to know. Also they would want him to get a life alert type thing. My brother stated he'd come out for "a couple of days" but in the end what would that do and he would have that sense of relief going home. They asked if he would go to Virginia to live with my brother and he said no. I can't see living with my stepdad myself. I'm sorry to say. Thanks for listening.
I just got an e mail from my brother asking if there is anyway he can call our stepfather on fathers day. I sent a reply letting him know of coarse there isn't and he seems to just want to make this one phone call and think all is well. This is very typical of my brother. He wants to put on the five minute show. When in the past he's gotten that nasty tone of voice toward me stating when he talks to our stepfather "I can't understand him anyway!" Yes he can be a bit hard to understand at times due to the hearing loss but not usually and I've had to ask him to repeat things over on the phone It's not a big deal. My stepfather has finally agreed to get rid of that large china cabinet in the spare bedroom. I'll have to clear everything out. He still won't get rid of my mother's creepy dolls. He stated to take most things in there to the thrift shop. Therapy is worried about him living alone and when I mentioned this he stated he didn't want to talk about that, he'll be fine. I can just see the problems in the future already. And I guess I'll have to be there and go through everything to have the flooring replaced in that bedroom.
If your brother was 18 and left shortly after you Mom married your Stepdad than it is no surprise he feels little concern or responsibility towards him. You on the other hand were only 7 and he was more of a father figure to you for a much longer time. Plus as you said he did support your family and save you from the full wrath of your Mom's problems. Helping him now when he needs it seems to be a really good thing for you to do @Kitty Carmel and I'm proud of you for stepping in there in spite of the fact that it's clear you would rather not have to do this. In a way you are all he has now....thank you for helping him. You will be blessed in the end for doing so.
Thank you for your reply @Babs Hunt I know I won't be blessed. That is for sure. This is not my oldest brother who is out of the picture. This is my brother who is two years older than me. I'm not in the mood to endure more e mails like he sent me when my mother was ill telling me I'm not doing enough and he made a phone call because he cares so much.
Oh I'm sorry for misunderstanding about your brother Kitty. But I do still believe God will bless you for being a blessing to your Stepfather.