Fuck the guilt. Be "the one who abandoned them". Get the hell out of there. You don't owe them squat.
It would be one thing if they appreciated your efforts and you enjoyed their company. It's not so bad to care for someone if they give you a little back, if they understand what you're giving up for them, if they show you some gratitude, even just a smile and a quiet "thanks" when you help them across the room or whatever. But if they're "constantly and consistently negative about every situation" -- understand that every time they're like that, they're making a choice to be that way. It may be a habitual choice for them at this point, maybe it doesn't even occur to them anymore to choose anything different, but it's still a choice that they're making and they're responsible for. And if the consequence of that choice is that you don't get any reward, not even the faintest warm feeling, from helping them, then I think you shouldn't feel bad about leaving.
And they have no friends?? This speaks volumes about what kind of people they are. Once again this is their choice -- you didn't make them that way!
How to extract yourself? Tell them that you're not cut out to be a caretaker, and you need to live in a different place with a different kind of economy. They won't understand, or even if they do they won't admit it, it sounds like, but never mind that. It's a good enough reason and they'll have to accept it.
It also sounds like you've done a lot of the needed planning already, so your continued personal presence is not necessarily so important. If you move somewhere where you can find the kind of work you are cut out for, then maybe you can pay for someone to spend a few hours a day with them.
It would be one thing if they appreciated your efforts and you enjoyed their company. It's not so bad to care for someone if they give you a little back, if they understand what you're giving up for them, if they show you some gratitude, even just a smile and a quiet "thanks" when you help them across the room or whatever. But if they're "constantly and consistently negative about every situation" -- understand that every time they're like that, they're making a choice to be that way. It may be a habitual choice for them at this point, maybe it doesn't even occur to them anymore to choose anything different, but it's still a choice that they're making and they're responsible for. And if the consequence of that choice is that you don't get any reward, not even the faintest warm feeling, from helping them, then I think you shouldn't feel bad about leaving.
And they have no friends?? This speaks volumes about what kind of people they are. Once again this is their choice -- you didn't make them that way!
How to extract yourself? Tell them that you're not cut out to be a caretaker, and you need to live in a different place with a different kind of economy. They won't understand, or even if they do they won't admit it, it sounds like, but never mind that. It's a good enough reason and they'll have to accept it.
It also sounds like you've done a lot of the needed planning already, so your continued personal presence is not necessarily so important. If you move somewhere where you can find the kind of work you are cut out for, then maybe you can pay for someone to spend a few hours a day with them.