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message 801: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) I just got home from the opera and I have to enthuse. Totally worth the 2 hour drive there and back. :)

Oh, and it was La Boheme by Puccini.


message 802: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Did you wear one of your fancy hats? :-)


message 803: by Tasha (new)

Tasha Yes, I'd like to know too. Glad you had fun!


message 804: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) You would think so but the fancy hats get in the way of other peoples view so I don't wear them to theaters. It's a pity because where else would I wear them. :)


message 805: by Tasha (new)

Tasha Maybe a tea party? ;)


message 806: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Someone mentioned tea? *looks around hopefully*


message 807: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Margaret wrote: "Someone mentioned tea? *looks around hopefully*"

Margaret! Where have you been? (And don't say "I've been to London to visit the Queen).

Only yesterday I was thinking about sending you a message to check up on you. :D


message 808: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Terri wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Someone mentioned tea? *looks around hopefully*"

Margaret! Where have you been? (And don't say "I've been to London to visit the Queen).

Only yesterday I was thinking about sendi..."


My mom's nursing home is closing. I took Friday off work for a series of meetings trying to arrange somewhere else for her to live. Saturday I had to do all my domestic stuff...and I spent yesterday with mom trying to make her feel better about a new home. I won't be around tomorrow either. More meetings re new home. I am continually thankful that I have an awesome boss who understands and is letting me have personal leave to deal with it all.


message 809: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments How's your Mum handling the transition?


message 810: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments She's accepted it. Thank goodness. Some of the other residents haven't. Which is so sad. The place she is in everyone is so close, including the staff. But the senior carer tells me that the place I am going to see tomorrow is a lot like theirs. Same warmth and friendliness. It's so hard for mom, though. It's her birthday this week. Cake and presents when she could be leaving as earlier as this weekend.


message 811: by Tasha (new)

Tasha Aw, that's tough. Good luck.


message 812: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Tasha wrote: "Aw, that's tough. Good luck."

Thanks Tasha.


message 813: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments Back from ANOTHER game in Oregon. Took my 19 year-old daughter with me so she could see how much fun her Dad has working. At game time it was 40 degrees F. and raining. She has cancelled the rest of her trips!!


message 814: by Tasha (new)

Tasha She didn't like getting soaked and then freezing?! ;)


message 815: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Margaret wrote: "She's accepted it. Thank goodness. Some of the other residents haven't. Which is so sad. The place she is in everyone is so close, including the staff. But the senior carer tells me that the p..."

That is tough, Margaret. I am really sorry you and your Mum are having this upheaval. I have my fingers crossed that she meets new friends straight away in the new place.


message 816: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Bobby wrote: "Back from ANOTHER game in Oregon. Took my 19 year-old daughter with me so she could see how much fun her Dad has working. At game time it was 40 degrees F. and raining. She has cancelled the rest o..."


I'll have some of that rain thanks. :(


message 817: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Terri wrote: "Margaret wrote: "She's accepted it. Thank goodness. Some of the other residents haven't. Which is so sad. The place she is in everyone is so close, including the staff. But the senior carer te..."
Thanks Terri. :)


message 818: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Have arranged a new home for mom. Paperwork is now in progress. Hoping they can sort it out before I go away on a week's vacation.


message 819: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Good news. Does your Mum think she'll like the place?


message 820: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Terri wrote: "Good news. Does your Mum think she'll like the place?"

I gave her the list of the new place's activities for October. Suddenly she was VERY keen on the place. LOL. They do a bus trip every week, have a movie every afternoon. Something happening all the time. :)


message 821: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments That sounds lovely.:-)


message 822: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Margaret wrote: "Have arranged a new home for mom. Paperwork is now in progress. Hoping they can sort it out before I go away on a week's vacation."

Good luck and I hope all works out. We are getting to the point with my Father-in-law that he will have to go to some sort of assisted living. He is fighting it tooth and nail though


message 823: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments happy wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Have arranged a new home for mom. Paperwork is now in progress. Hoping they can sort it out before I go away on a week's vacation."

Good luck and I hope all works out. We are g..."


Thats got to be the hard part...going against their wishes even when you know its right!! My Mom is 82 and we know its only a matter of time when we will have to make some hard decisions for her.


message 824: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited Oct 23, 2012 08:12PM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I can understand why he would, happy. It is so tough with our older generation that they can't stay at home in their twilight sometimes.
If money is no object for people, then one can pay to have a fulltime carer live in. But you have to be prepared to find the finances to pay a fulltime wage for that person to be there, and I think it is hard to find a reliable and well trained individual who will live in.

I plan on having my parents live with us when they are of an age where they can't take care of themselves as well. But I understand that there are elderly who need fulltime medical care or observation and I cannot provide that.


message 825: by happy (last edited Oct 23, 2012 08:16PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Bobby wrote: ...Thats got to be the hard part...going against their wishes even when you know its right!! My Mom is 82 and we know its only a matter of time when we will have to make some hard decisions for her.
"


Yeah it is,

He is 84 and his memory is fading, he really shouldn't be driving, the house is way too big for him to take care of, etc. Plus he is extreamly lonely since Mom passed.


message 826: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Terri wrote: "I can understand why he would, happy. It is so tough with our older generation that they can't stay at home in their twilight sometimes.
If money is no object for people, then one can pay to have a..."

And family can't do it forever. My sister and I kept mom at home for 8 years - and we both nearly lost our sanity in the process.


message 827: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments The problem with my Mom is someone telling her what to do and when and where!! Assisted living will be an only option or move in with us, which is the route we are leaning towards.


message 828: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments happy wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Have arranged a new home for mom. Paperwork is now in progress. Hoping they can sort it out before I go away on a week's vacation."

Good luck and I hope all works out. We are g..."

Can you get him into a respite care for a week or two? It gives everyone a break and he will probably find he really likes the company & will stop fighting so hard.


message 829: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments The REALLY scary part is I'm not that far behind chronologically...me mum was only 17 when I was born!! Yikes!!!


message 830: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments The rate life is whipping us all by, we are all only a hop, step and a jump away.

I don't have kids (although having kids doesn't guarantee that you'll have people in your life who'll give a rats arse about you when you are old), So if I live to that age I'll be checking MYSELF into care. I think it will be nice to have someone wait hand and foot on me. :) LOL!


message 831: by happy (last edited Oct 24, 2012 06:58AM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Margaret wrote: "Terri wrote: "I can understand why he would, happy. It is so tough with our older generation that they can't stay at home in their twilight sometimes.
If money is no object for people, then one can..."


My Daughter and SIL lived with him for a couple of years after they moved back to Utah - he about drove her crazy.

The thing is, he was in a rehab facility a year or so ago and he loved it. The place has an assisted living wing and we tried to talk him into staying then. IF he hadn't had to move his room, I think he would have stayed. (pound head against wall)

Luckily he has a really good retirement - so money shouldn't be a problem.


message 832: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments happy wrote: " IF he hadn't had to move his room, I think he would have stayed. (pound head against wall) ........."

Oh gosh, mate, that sounds bloody frustrating. :-)


message 833: by Simona (new)

Simona | 1453 comments Luckily he has a really good retirement - so money shouldn't be a problem.

Have you considered a fulltime caregiver? My mother spent her last year and a half in bed, and she refused completely to go to a facility. She organized herself for her care, with the result that we had for a time a full fledged circus running - but she wanted to stay at home, and that way she could.
I have to say, though, that in Italy well organized facilities of this kind are really expensive, so usually it isn't the easier choice anyway.

Good luck, and keep holding on. It's a very difficult part of everyone life.


message 834: by happy (last edited Oct 24, 2012 08:58AM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments We've broached the subject and got shot down quickly

Edit,

When Mom was in her final stages (her last 2 mths or so) we had someone there almost full time - He hated it and won't even consider it now.


message 835: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Terri wrote: "happy wrote: " IF he hadn't had to move his room, I think he would have stayed. (pound head against wall) ........."

Oh gosh, mate, that sounds bloody frustrating. :-)"


The older they get the more frustrating they get. Mom is now refusing to go to the hostel I selected. She wants to go to one a couple of her friends are going to. So now I've got to try and get to see the new hostel and hope they still have a place available! :(


message 836: by Simona (new)

Simona | 1453 comments Margaret, you will be doing a great thing for her, even if it will be a sore nuisance for you. With her friends, she'll feel less alone, and she'll accept it all better.
Believe me when I say you'll miss her someday and you'll be happy to have bothered.


message 837: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Simona wrote: "Margaret, you will be doing a great thing for her, even if it will be a sore nuisance for you. With her friends, she'll feel less alone, and she'll accept it all better.
Believe me when I say you'l..."

She's currently in a hostel, Simona, but they have gone broke and have to close. :( Trying to find one that measures up is proving to be really hard.


message 838: by Simona (last edited Oct 24, 2012 01:58PM) (new)

Simona | 1453 comments I understand, and please forgive me if I sound patronizing, that's not my intention. I remember from my personal, similar struggle that it seemed a neverending time, but it does finish; and it takes a bit to recuperate the tiredness and start to feel the void. But it also comes.
I'm sure you are a wonderful person, I, on the contrary, find myself wishing I hadn't lost my patience sometimes. Hence this small piece of clumsy wisdom. Good luck, sincerely.


message 839: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Margaret wrote: The older they get the more frustrating they get. Mom is now refusing to go to the hostel I selected. She wants to go to one a couple of her friends are going to. So now I've got to try and get to see the new hostel and hope they still have a place available) ........."
"

The older th..."


Been there - you have my sympathy. Good luck!


message 840: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited Oct 24, 2012 05:43PM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Margaret,
Good luck. I think when we all are that age, we would all happily go to a lesser quality hostel if it meant staying together with friends.
As Simona says, it will be a pain in the bum,especially after all the work you have put into finding the other one for her and talking her around to it, but you are doing the right thing. It will make both of you happy I hope. :)

Keep your chin up, mate.


message 841: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Okay. Went and saw another place. Rooms are huge compared to even where she is now....with huge private bathroom. Paperwork is underway. Mom shifts on Thursday. :)


message 842: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited Oct 24, 2012 11:08PM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Terrific! Oh that's terrific. :D
She stays with friends (this is the place her friends are going?) and gets better accommodations as well. Congrats Margaret. :)


message 843: by Tasha (new)

Tasha Yes, congrats Margaret!

My mom (who is just 72 but who's husband is 85) just moved into a HUGE facility for the eldery and LOVES it. They have things going on constantly, on site medical clinics and just so many great things. I am fortunate that I will never have to worry about my mom now because she can stay here as long as SHE wants. Her husband really is the one that needed the place but she knows she will one day too, so she made sure she got herself settled in too.

They have a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment and she says it feels like she is on vacation. This make me so very happy. :)


message 844: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Terri wrote: "Terrific! Oh that's terrific. :D
She stays with friends (this is the place her friends are going?) and gets better accommodations as well. Congrats Margaret. :)"


Yes. And at least one of the staff members of the place she is in at the moment live near the new one and have promised to visit. :)


message 845: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Tasha wrote: "Yes, congrats Margaret!

My mom (who is just 72 but who's husband is 85) just moved into a HUGE facility for the eldery and LOVES it. They have things going on constantly, on site medical clinics a..."


That must a relief. To have your Mum settled into her retirement and you don't have to worry. :-)


message 846: by Tasha (last edited Oct 25, 2012 03:44PM) (new)

Tasha It is! :) and she did all the work!


message 847: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments "If I should live to be the last leaf upon the tree" or something like that.
It is troublesome when the aged parent's children have different ideas about what to do with the parent. Me? Leave me where I am--at home. It is customary in my family. However, my aged grandmothers had family living close by so grandmothers (ages 99 and 95 at death) were never really alone. Neither suffered diseases of the mind or body which made a huge difference in the manner they lived the last days of their lives (watching JEOPARDY and the soaps on TV and doing crossword puzzles and a little crocheting(sp). Both grandmothers were blessed.
Every family story/situation is different, and children have to make hard choices. Preserving the last leaf's dignity is not easy, and I feel for all of you who are having to deal with those choices.


message 848: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments That's the big problem isn't it. The health problem. If the mind isn't as good or they fall over a lot or have blackouts, and there isn't family close by to check on them daily, a place where they can live monitored is the best option.
But if the mind is good and they don't have major issues that they need constant care for, then it must be nice to stay in their home. Living in a rural area it isn't common for the elderly to end up in hostels or 'old people's homes'. I have grown up seeing the over 90's still living on their farms or in their houses and passing away there when the time comes.

My father-in-law is in hospital at the moment for an op and the nurses are telling my mother-in-law that he needs to go into care. That there is something wrong with his mind. My mother-in-law has been saying this for the last 6 months. It is a tricky situation when the elderly person doesn't know or admit that their mind has gone wrong and they need to be in care.

My grandparents were 90 last year and one is 90 this year. They still live in their nice suburban home, play golf a couple times a week, have a busy social life. They don't look 90...more like 80. :)


message 849: by Tasha (new)

Tasha I just want to be clear, although my mom is situated in a great place for the long-term, we would have GLADLY taken her in forever. SHE is the one who wanted to be somewhere. :)


message 850: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments Terri, your grandparents sound a lot like mine. I agree with everything you said. Tasha, if that is what your mom wanted, then support her decision. It is hard to let go, but she sounds independent to me. My mother is 86, very active--she has more of a social life than I do.


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