Jay has been really busy, but I felt I could add some things here. I don't live with Linda, but do try to see her at least once a month and have been seeing what Dad and Janet face. It is time to consider long term care, especially since the waiting list is long (2-3 years). This is the hardest decision any family has to make... will she be happy, will she adjust, am I being selfish?
It is hard to be on the outside concincing Dad that it is time. He doesn't want to abandon Mom, but at the same time, we need to remember that his own quality of life is begining to suffer. How does one convince one's parent that it is time to put the other in a home?
My main interest is that both are happy. We are looking at different places, but the front runner is Peter D. Clark for sure. It is a five minute drive from the house and has a closed ward that seems very good. It feels like it would mostly be an increase in the same activities she participates in at the day programs, all through the day. I don't think anyone doubts that we are trying to do our best for Linda, but it is still hard!
Hang in there, Dad & Janet.
- posted by Eleanor