Old age is no place for sissies

Mar 11, 2020 20:23

"I think I want to go into a care home ( Read more... )

family matters

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brutti_ma_buoni March 11 2020, 19:40:03 UTC
What a difficult time you (and she) have been having. I'm glad you had this moment of confirmation that what you must know is the best option is something she recognises, and it has freed you to act. But as a situation, it still sucks. My mum is not so far down that path, but I guess it's coming before I'm ready for it.

*long-distance, virus-free hugs*

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gamiila March 11 2020, 20:08:08 UTC
I think I may have found 3 or 4 places that I want to take a closer look at, just by going on the web. These expressly cater to people with dementia and a colonial background, and I think that may be exactly what she needs. It will be hard for her to give up the idea of independence, but with krontjong music and daily rijsttafel in the offing, perhaps a sacrifice she'll be willing to make.

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curiouswombat March 11 2020, 20:06:02 UTC
It is a hard decision - but so much easier if you know that, at least at times, the idea has occurred to her as something that might be a good idea.

And, to be honest, it will be much easier to close her house whilst she is still alive as you can ask her about things you don't recognise and, hopefully, they will trigger memories and she will be able to tell you about them.

It was easier for us as my Mum was mentally fine, just so frail physically, and being able to ask her about things made the whole process much easier. It was a good exercise for my sister and I to do together, as well. I would hope your sister could work alongside you too.

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gamiila March 11 2020, 20:17:03 UTC
My sister and I have been sharing the worries, and the care, for our mother for a while now; with remarkably little disagreement. Although she sided with Mum when I first floated the idea of a care home some 6 months ago...but I've intentionally stepped back a bit since then and let her deal with a few of Mum's crises, and now she and I are on the same page ;-).

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curiouswombat March 11 2020, 20:51:12 UTC
I thought it was likely that you and your sister would sort things out together - and I am really glad that this is the case.

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desdemonaspace March 11 2020, 20:06:33 UTC
Oh honey, and I mean both of you. And may I say how lucky she is to have you? I was halfway across the country when my mom started to fail.

Seconding the *long-distance, virus-free hugs*

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gamiila March 11 2020, 20:30:50 UTC
Thank you. And I'm sure that if you'd had the chance, you would have done the same and more for your mother.

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desdemonaspace March 11 2020, 20:42:43 UTC
Oh, I flew home when they figured out what was wrong with her. At the time the rest of the family thought she was putting on an act, faking illness, so I would come home. Turns out it was a brain tumor.

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enigmaticblues March 13 2020, 02:56:41 UTC
Oh, I'm so sorry, but also it sounds like that might be the best option.

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gamiila March 15 2020, 12:52:35 UTC
Oh, it definitely is! I just hope the current corona crisis won't slow things down unnecessarily.

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