Sunday, May 29, 2011

And, get this! They even let you....

Have pets!
NOT have sex. Though I'm sure that's not forbidden...

We have successfully found a solution (short term) for my mom. She will be staying at a Sunrise facility in the assisted living section. It's so nice to have a happy solution after MUCH craziness. One facility wanted to place her in the memory care ward/reminiscence ward/make up your own euphemism and had no rooms in that area. This one placed her in regular assisted living with supports. So, she will be there for a month, and then we'll figure out what to do then.

My sister was telling me this morning about the facility and how nice people were. She mentioned the strange sight of a group of 4 or five people (4 women and 1 guy) sitting around the table. They were playing poker (thankfully not strip poker). In the middle of this the priest comes around. The game stops for a moment and each person gets communion and the game resumes. Funny.

After that story my sister said with much excitement, and get THIS! They even let you have xxx. I swear I heard the latter and had to ask again. I just laughed and laughed.

So, things are good for at least a couple weeks. Then, we figure out what happens from there. But short term she gets what she needs. And my brother got to go home after spending 10 days providing nonstop care. I can't even imagine. My involvement was half of what his was and I was exhausted. My sister told me the story of their Thursday night. She and my two nieces sat around the dinner table, each of them crying. Obviously it's been stressful on everyone. My sister took them to the beach on Friday which was good for all of them.

Happy weekend!

6 comments:

laura b. said...

I'm so glad you found a solution for the time being. Does this place only provide short term living arrangements or is that all they have space for right now?

I can't even imagine how exhausting and emotional this must be for your whole family. I'm sure M is being a good support system for YOU.

Mel said...

Pets! This is a good thing.
So is sex...but pets is better!
Hold on.....I might not mean that....

You, and everyone around you, must be relieved beyond words.
Beach time seems like a really good answer to all that responsibility folks were shouldering. Might wanna give yourself a bit of the same, eh?

Churlita said...

I'm glad that is working out for your family.

I hope we're all still having sex when we're in a nursing home...I just don't want to have to know about anyone else doing it at that age...

NoRegrets said...

Well, Laura, we promised her it's only for a month while she heals. They do have long term housing... There's the issue of trying to look into the future to see what she'll need and whether medicare will pay for a bed if she / when she runs out of money.

Mel, we are indeed relieved. As for me, well, I took a day off when I returned from the visit. Can't get too soft... :-)

Churlita, thanks... and yes, I know what you mean... I wonder if you have to turn lesbian given the lack of older men?

Ananda girl said...

I think this is a great idea! Not only does it give you time to figure things out, it gives mom time to adjust a bit more slowly. That's so scary for all of you.

Anonymous said...

I'm really glad to hear that this is all coming together for you, your siblings, your mum. We went through this with my grandmother a few years ago, and I know it's wicked stressful.