Glad to hear it Bill.
I had been been very close to my Gramma, going through the transition with her to a nursing home was hard. There was a steep learning curve and plenty to stay on top of. A surprising experience for me was a deepened admiration for the older generation beyond anything I experienced before. This, thanks to the other residents and my grandma. Also, I felt honored that I now had the privilege to take care of (as best as I could) my grandmother since she helped raise me. I owe so much of whatever redeemable qualities I have to her. I only wish I could have done more.
Which brings me to the point that it is unfortunate many consider caring for the elders of our family an inconvenient burden. Perhaps, but the reward far and away surpasses it. Personally, I thank God for the gift of the experience.
Just my opinion Bill but as hard this whole situation has been I think you've been blessed to have this chance to be there for your dad. He sounds like a heck of a guy.
Bill, I'm sure that you did the best you could, towards your Gramma and I'm also sure that she knew that you were there for her, as best that you could be.
THere are some folks at the Nursing Home, who don't seem to have anyone to come and see them (or may have some who have put them there, like S & S tried to do to my Dad). No way of knowing which way it is. Yesterday evening, when I went over to see my Dad, I expected to find him in a different area (you see, the Nursing Home called me to ask about moving him into a different area which had folks who were more like him. Being of his own mind and he could socalize with them and feel more like a small community. They even have their own dining room. Would have been like a step up. I told them
I had no problem with it but they needed to ask
him what
he wanted to do.) So, when I went in last night, I expected to have to locate him and asked a Nurse where he was and she replied that he was still in the same room because he refused to move. At this point, I wondered what state he would be in, when I saw him.
When I walked in, he was the same as usual, no problem.
When I asked him about staying in that room,he replied that no one asked talked to him about moving and shortly after (just a few minutes), he said something about being asked if he wanted to move, but he couldn't see any sense in it. Dad has a roommate who doesn't talk real well, he can't get around without being in some sort of a wheelchair (and they have to strap him in it) and the guy fusses & cussess quite a bit. My wife and I think that Dad feels like he is helping the guy and the nurses because Dad will call for the nurses when the roommate is out of sorts or whatever. I
ALSO think that my Dad didn't want to move because he knows that I'm working to get him over to the Retirement Home and wants me to be able to know where he is, when I come in (he's been through so much and he is
very appreciative of my efforts to get him away from S & S and
KEEP him away from them!
Also, last night, he gave me quite a start. He made the comment that he was ready to get out of there (the Nursing Home) and go home, all the way home! He had me thinking that he meant, to be with my Mom who passed away in 2002! Then, he added "To the Lake!" That's where his home is.
Well, I've rambled quite enough, I've got to get around and start working on trying to get him over to that Retirement Home (He's ready for
that move, if it'll get him closer to his home.
