Left alone

The cats could go to a cattery, that would get rid of one problem.

If it were just Christmas Day they were away, but if it’s for a few days, yes, it sounds unreasonable to me.

And rather selfish on their part.

Discuss it with the "youngsters" and look into whether there is an organisation nearby whom you can get to phone you every day or whom you can phone if you need help.

Whoever supplies the alarm pendants should be aware that these do not work where you are. If they are not them tell them this, and ask for a phone number you can have on your mobile, so you can ring in an emergency.

You say your husband is deaf - is he so deaf that he cannot use a phone to contact help if it is needed. Surely, he can text message, if he cannot hear?

If you have to look after the cats, have them brought to your part of the property, rather than go in to them.

To be practical, do you have a mobile phone? If so, make sure you have it with you whenever you go outside. Do cats need 2 visits? We fed a neighbour's cat when they were away but only went once each day. Do you have a friend who could phone you each day to make sure all is well, and come to find you if they got no reply.

They want you to care for their pets but haven't thought about care you may need?

This seems wrong in so many ways.

I think paying someone to provide some sort of supervision for yourselves as well as their cats sounds like an option.

Will they be able to check on you over the phone whilst they are away?

Are they supportive of your needs whilst at home? If so they may be entitled to some respite care but this also means having something in place to replace them.

If all else fails contact Age UK or even your local social services otherwise you may all finish up worse off.

There are reliable companies who provide animal sitters who have been DBS checked. Then you wouldn't need to go out to feed the cats and there would be a human near if you have a problem. Google “animal/house sitters”. Good luck!

What Norah said.
Surely the family must know they are not only leaving you to ca for yourselves but expecting you to care for their cats too is beyond belief!

Unkind of them,or possibly simply thoughtlessness. Do tell them you are concerned at being left completely alone, and will be unable to venture out to feed their cats.

Ask them to pay a person to come in check the house, feed the cats. Cold weather: homes need checking & cats needs - wise.

Please tell them straight. No good sucking it up and worrying.

Or pay for care?