Update on my parents

[gwr19569424]

Well, guys and gals, unfortunately, I had to place my parents into an Adult Family Home the first of the month, due to my dad's continuous falling. He had gotten to the point of needing total care and is confined to a wheel chair.
The Assisted Living Facility that they were living at is not staffed to take care of a resident and so therefore it was either a nursing home, (cost about $12,000 per month per person) or the Adult Family Home which cost my parents right at $5,000 per month for the two of them.
They seem to be adjusting well and I check in on them weekly. The Home is staffed with at least two people around the clock and mom and dad have a room together, but in separate beds. When my dad needs something, there is someone there within a couple of minutes. No more having to wait for a long time or take the risk of falling when getting in and out of a chair.
I have years of paperwork that my dad stock piled up, so I went through all of that and shredded what I felt was unimportant. I have taken over totally with their finances. That was another thing that my dad got very behind on as he don't have any concept of the calendar. He didn't even remember my birthday this year, which I was not surprised.
Will keep everyone posted.

Oh, by the way, I went back to my old employer the week of Thanksgiving. I am only working 1 to 2 days per week, but I needed something as my UI benefits ran out in December.

Much love to everyone.
Gary

 

[Jayman01]

Bless your heart Gary for being such a wonderful son... You will truly be rewarded in th along run. You are definitely a heaven sent angel for your parents. I think that when folks get up there in their years they kind of laugh at the capitalist system. They realize how bogus it is and how precious their remaining time is in comparison. My 80 year old uncle told me the other day I don't really care if I pay my bill on time. I can't take my money with me in the after life but I can enjoy it while I do have it. I pay my bills when I can. He said what are they going to do send me to debtors prison over a cable bill? LOL I know it is not like that for everyone though. Your parents are very lucky to have you Gary...

 

[mikeyank]

Your parents are very lucky to have you Gary...

I completely agree with Jayman, Gary. You are a wonderful son, taking care of your folks as you do. They are fortunate to have you as their son, as I'm sure you are for all they did for you.

 

[kaalaaupuni]

It's always heartwarming to know there are still loving/responsible children who know how to do the right thing. Malamalama, a term used by the Hawaiians, embodies this sense of nurturing and looking after--something not done well in western culture. May you be blessed a thousandfold for the love and support you provide, Gary.

 

[tampa24]

Hey Gary,

I'm sorry to hear that that became necessary. But it certainly sounds like it was the best thing for them in the long run. Good luck my friend in looking after them. At least they have you.

 

[Markymark]

Gary, thank you for taking the time to share with us again. I am sure we all send our best wishes and sincerest prayer for you and your parents. As you know, we are all here if you need us! God Bless!

 

[angelone]

Thanks for the wonderful update on your efforts to secure parents' health and care. My heart goes out to you and pray you are given the blessings of a filial son.

 

[gwr19569424]

Okay, guys and gals, got a phone call this morning that my Uncle John, my dad's only brother passed away last evening at a Hospice here in the area.
Uncle John took a bad fall here awhile back and was hospitalized and had back surgery, then went to a nursing/rehab center for therapy. Well, it was determined that there was nothing more they could do for him and his health went farther down hill. He was taken to the hospital and when I found out about him being there on Friday, me and my dad stopped into to see Uncle John. They had him on morphine. We announced that we were there is briefly acknowledged that we were there and drifted off. He was transferred the next day to a Hospice and was pretty heavily sedated. My cousin's wife said that Uncle John died restfully. He will be cremated and laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery up in Kent, WA as he is retired from the Air Force. He would have been 83 in March. We are looking at possibly having the memorial service for him up there on Saturday. Again, we all need your prayers.
My dad often wondered who was going to outlive who, seeing both of them having their share of health problems. My dad is taking it pretty hard, but expected this to happen. I have had my moments to throughout the day.
Thanks for listening everyone.

Gary

 

[vicekid]

Okay, guys and gals, got a phone call this morning that my Uncle John, my dad's only brother passed away last evening at a Hospice here in the area.
Uncle John took a bad fall here awhile back and was hospitalized and had back surgery, then went to a nursing/rehab center for therapy. Well, it was determined that there was nothing more they could do for him and his health went farther down hill. He was taken to the hospital and when I found out about him being there on Friday, me and my dad stopped into to see Uncle John. They had him on morphine. We announced that we were there is briefly acknowledged that we were there and drifted off. He was transferred the next day to a Hospice and was pretty heavily sedated. My cousin's wife said that Uncle John died restfully. He will be cremated and laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery up in Kent, WA as he is retired from the Air Force. He would have been 83 in March. We are looking at possibly having the memorial service for him up there on Saturday. Again, we all need your prayers.
My dad often wondered who was going to outlive who, seeing both of them having their share of health problems. My dad is taking it pretty hard, but expected this to happen. I have had my moments to throughout the day.
Thanks for listening everyone.

Gary

Gary,

I am so, so sorry to hear about your loss. My condolences to you and your family. As for your request for prayers, you've got it topped with with Love & care.

Thanks for sharing this with your extended family.

May the force Be With You,

Vicekid

 

[BrokeStraightBoys]

Sorry to hear about your loss Gary. My condolences to you and your family.

Hugs,
Mark

 

[i2ina69]

Gary, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your uncle. You and your family are in my prayers.

The hardest thing I ever had to do in my life was to put my mother in a nursing home. She lost a leg, and me and my sister could not give her the care she needed. That was february of 1996 and she past away in April of the same year. You have a lot of friend's here and we all love and care for you.

 

[gwr19569424]

Okay guys and gals, to my parents to their doctor appointments this afternoon.

Mom is doing good and all of her lab work came back without a hitch. Dr. wants her to get a mammogram before she sees him again in 3 months. He is a little concerned about her iron level being low, so he wrote a prescription for an iron supplement.

Dad's lab work turned out real good. He did increase his medication from 40mg to 60mg on his depression medication, which is part of his Alzheimer's. Dr. wants to see him back in a month.

After leaving the doctors office, as tradition whenever we are out and about, I always stop by somewhere and get my dad a cup of real coffee and my mom a small diet soda before taking them back to the AFH.

Will keep all posted.

Gary

 

[SGVBOB]

Gary, this will probably come out as callous, (TOTALLY not the intention), but take solice, in that while you may now be suffering(even more) now,your Uncle John is not! That he is looking down on you, with happy, painless, and EMOTIVE bliss, should help to ease, (NOTE:I did NOT say END), your sorrow/pain. ONLY YOU will be able to answer the "when" you have 'dealt' with it

Bless you, and your loved ones!

Bob

 

[centex]

I am so sorry for your loss Gary. I no how hard it is to lose someone you love My wife of 33 years passed away last march and it has been hard as hell on me, so I no what your are going through and you have I will say a prayer for you and your love ones. God be with you at your time of need

 

[tampa24]

Hey Gary,

My condolences as well on the death of your uncle. You are a very good son to your parents. It's not like you don't have your own share of problems in life. It speaks so well of you as a person that you are always there for your parents.

Take care my friend.