Mom finally settled
 

It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest nursing
home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)

She started off in a local hospital back in Jan 2007, moved to a
'transistional care unit' for about six months until the first bed became
available in a rural town about 45 miles from here. I knew winter was coming
so by October I added the largest facility here to her preferred list as a
temp spot. She moved there mid October and last week we finally got the
word that a room in her 'first choice' facility came open.
Nice bright spot.. 6 year old building, everyone gets a private room with
bath, phone and cable tv.
Her wing was dominated by the Sisters of Charity... but as they thin out,
lay residents now make up almost half of the 24 spots in her wing. Another
nearby wing holds a group of Sisters in 'assisted living'. What a beautiful
spot...all dark woods with a library & small chapel
I joke about getting in there myself when the Sisters leave for their oun
facility in a couple of years.
Interesting group these Sisters. A lot of them came from the Boston area...
recruited and shipped north to the main training facility on a large chunk
of land overlooking Bedford Basin and the narrows bridge.
They have a hugh 'Mother House' residence there and what was once a Catholic
womans university ...now open to the general public.
At one time the sisters taught in most of the catholic elementary/jr high
schools here. http://www.schalifax.ca/sub/06roots/04atour.html
Anyway they were quick to pop in and invite mom to their daily 11 am mass on
the 3rd floor
Hopefuly this will be it.

Now...just as we get mom settled, my wifes' mother is starting the same long
process...exactly one year behind my mom. She even spent time in the same
hospital room/bed for a bit.

Mom finally settled
 

"Don White" wrote in message
...
It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest nursing
home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)

She started off in a local hospital back in Jan 2007, moved to a
'transistional care unit' for about six months until the first bed became
available in a rural town about 45 miles from here. I knew winter was
coming so by October I added the largest facility here to her preferred
list as a temp spot. She moved there mid October and last week we finally
got the word that a room in her 'first choice' facility came open.
Nice bright spot.. 6 year old building, everyone gets a private room with
bath, phone and cable tv.
Her wing was dominated by the Sisters of Charity... but as they thin out,
lay residents now make up almost half of the 24 spots in her wing. Another
nearby wing holds a group of Sisters in 'assisted living'. What a
beautiful spot...all dark woods with a library & small chapel
I joke about getting in there myself when the Sisters leave for their oun
facility in a couple of years.
Interesting group these Sisters. A lot of them came from the Boston
area... recruited and shipped north to the main training facility on a
large chunk of land overlooking Bedford Basin and the narrows bridge.
They have a hugh 'Mother House' residence there and what was once a
Catholic womans university ...now open to the general public.
At one time the sisters taught in most of the catholic elementary/jr high
schools here. http://www.schalifax.ca/sub/06roots/04atour.html
Anyway they were quick to pop in and invite mom to their daily 11 am mass
on the 3rd floor
Hopefuly this will be it.

Now...just as we get mom settled, my wifes' mother is starting the same
long process...exactly one year behind my mom. She even spent time in the
same hospital room/bed for a bit.


I spend an hour each week (sometimes more) with a group from a
retirement/assisted living facility answering pc questions. It is amazing
how many seniors have pc's and broadband connections in their rooms. Alot
of them are doing their own family histories, further into geneology, and
purchasing their needs online (avoids driving). The pc also allows them to
immediately get pictures from their family and friends keeping them more in
touch.

I taught a 90 yr old how to video edit and create dvd's for slide shows...
she probably spends 6 to 8 hours a day in front of her pc...

How's the food at the home? I found that with a few of my uncles that have
gone through this process the meals are a huge consideration.

on another topic...think I will go dewinterize my boat now :)


Good Luck

Dennis

Mom finally settled
 

"Don White" wrote in message
...


It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest nursing
home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)


Congratulations. That is quite an accomplishment and I mean that sincerely.
Hope she (and you) can relax and enjoy the rest of the time she has left on
this earth.

We are going through the initial stages of the same thing, except there're
three elders to consider.
My 80 year old mother moved into the old farmhouse at the end of our
driveway after my dad passed away 7 years ago. She's done very well
maintaining her independence, learning how to use a computer for email and
ordering items on the Internet or shopping for food using the home delivery
service, "PeaPod". Unfortunately, her ability to live alone is coming to
an end, however.

She has a rare form of MS that is very slow progressing, but over time it
robs her of her mobility. When she first moved in, she could still get
around with the aid of a walker. Now, she's confined to a wheelchair and,
unfortunately it's becoming very difficult and dangerous for her to transfer
herself from it to the bath or bed. Last week she fell at 6AM. She wears
one of those "Help, I fell and can't get up" transmitters. It
automatically called both the paramedics and our house. It took three of us
to get her off the floor and back into the wheelchair. She's not that
heavy, but it's like picking up a wet noodle because she has very little
strength to hold on. This wasn't the first emergency call to 911. It's
starting to become more and more regular.

Anyway, she seemed fine until the day before yesterday. She can't feel much
in her legs, but complained about a sore ankle.
Took her to the hospital and sure enough. It was broken in three places.
So now she's in a cast from toe to knee for the next 6-8 weeks.

It's time for assisted living, except I have some concern that she may not
qualify. You have to be able to transfer yourself from the wheelchair to
bed, etc. in most places. I am afraid a nursing home may be in order, much
to her dismay. I really don't know what else to do. We may have waited
too long, having her live in the old house we bought.

Meanwhile, Mrs.E.'s parents are in a similar situation. Her mother has
about the same mobility as mine and needs daily assistance.
Her father suffered a stroke a year or so ago and really isn't all there.
He acts and thinks like a five or six year old. Caring for them keeps my
wife and her sister constantly busy and there's always the fear in the back
of your minds that something stupid is going to happen. The other day her
father decided to turn the self-clean cycle of the stove on, but forgot to
take out a bunch of pots and pans with plastic handles. Set off all the
fire alarms and filled the house with smoke.

We knew this day was coming. It's one of the primary reasons we ended up
selling the properties in Florida and gave up living down there during the
winter.

shutter

Eisboch

Mom finally settled
 

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:15:13 -0300, "Don White"
wrote:

It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest nursing
home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)

Good job Don - I know you were concerned about this issue.

Best to luck to her.

Mom finally settled
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...
snip...
We are going through the initial stages of the same thing, except there're
three elders to consider.
My 80 year old mother moved into the old farmhouse at the end of our
driveway after my dad passed away 7 years ago. She's done very well
maintaining her independence, learning how to use a computer for email and
ordering items on the Internet or shopping for food using the home
delivery service, "PeaPod". Unfortunately, her ability to live alone is
coming to an end, however.

She has a rare form of MS that is very slow progressing, but over time it
robs her of her mobility. When she first moved in, she could still get
around with the aid of a walker. Now, she's confined to a wheelchair
and, unfortunately it's becoming very difficult and dangerous for her to
transfer herself from it to the bath or bed. Last week she fell at 6AM.
She wears one of those "Help, I fell and can't get up" transmitters. It
automatically called both the paramedics and our house. It took three of
us to get her off the floor and back into the wheelchair. She's not that
heavy, but it's like picking up a wet noodle because she has very little
strength to hold on. This wasn't the first emergency call to 911. It's
starting to become more and more regular.

Anyway, she seemed fine until the day before yesterday. She can't feel
much in her legs, but complained about a sore ankle.
Took her to the hospital and sure enough. It was broken in three places.
So now she's in a cast from toe to knee for the next 6-8 weeks.

It's time for assisted living, except I have some concern that she may not
qualify. You have to be able to transfer yourself from the wheelchair to
bed, etc. in most places. I am afraid a nursing home may be in order,
much to her dismay. I really don't know what else to do. We may have
waited too long, having her live in the old house we bought.

snip...
Yup. Up here there is assisted living for those who just need help with
housekeeping, meals etc.
Mom was a level 1 when she went into the hospital 15 months ago but quickly
dropped to a Level 2...
she needs help getting to the toilet etc. (although she does go on her own
on occasion when she can't wait for the help)
I imagine the system is quicker down your way although I bet a bit more
expensive.
Mom pays a few pennies shy of $50.00 per day. This still leaves her a bit
over $300. per month for haircuts, clothing etc.
Good luck and I hope your mom is agreeable to the move. You will feel a bit
guilty when you hand her over to the health system, but it is best for
her... lots of new friends, exercise classes, outings, social activities
etc.

Mom finally settled
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Don White" wrote in message
...


It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest
nursing home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)


Congratulations. That is quite an accomplishment and I mean that
sincerely. Hope she (and you) can relax and enjoy the rest of the time she
has left on this earth.

We are going through the initial stages of the same thing, except there're
three elders to consider.
My 80 year old mother moved into the old farmhouse at the end of our
driveway after my dad passed away 7 years ago. She's done very well
maintaining her independence, learning how to use a computer for email and
ordering items on the Internet or shopping for food using the home
delivery service, "PeaPod". Unfortunately, her ability to live alone is
coming to an end, however.

She has a rare form of MS that is very slow progressing, but over time it
robs her of her mobility. When she first moved in, she could still get
around with the aid of a walker. Now, she's confined to a wheelchair
and, unfortunately it's becoming very difficult and dangerous for her to
transfer herself from it to the bath or bed. Last week she fell at 6AM.
She wears one of those "Help, I fell and can't get up" transmitters. It
automatically called both the paramedics and our house. It took three of
us to get her off the floor and back into the wheelchair. She's not that
heavy, but it's like picking up a wet noodle because she has very little
strength to hold on. This wasn't the first emergency call to 911. It's
starting to become more and more regular.

Anyway, she seemed fine until the day before yesterday. She can't feel
much in her legs, but complained about a sore ankle.
Took her to the hospital and sure enough. It was broken in three places.
So now she's in a cast from toe to knee for the next 6-8 weeks.

It's time for assisted living, except I have some concern that she may not
qualify. You have to be able to transfer yourself from the wheelchair to
bed, etc. in most places. I am afraid a nursing home may be in order,
much to her dismay. I really don't know what else to do. We may have
waited too long, having her live in the old house we bought.

Meanwhile, Mrs.E.'s parents are in a similar situation. Her mother has
about the same mobility as mine and needs daily assistance.
Her father suffered a stroke a year or so ago and really isn't all there.
He acts and thinks like a five or six year old. Caring for them keeps my
wife and her sister constantly busy and there's always the fear in the
back of your minds that something stupid is going to happen. The other
day her father decided to turn the self-clean cycle of the stove on, but
forgot to take out a bunch of pots and pans with plastic handles. Set
off all the fire alarms and filled the house with smoke.

We knew this day was coming. It's one of the primary reasons we ended up
selling the properties in Florida and gave up living down there during the
winter.

shutter

Eisboch


I can feel for you. My mom is 93 and still lives alone. But the memory is
slipping fast, My brother and I go over several times a week, and do the
shopping, etc. Take her good meals. She worked a lot of her years as an RN
as a charge nurse for old peoples homes, and she is as hard headed as they
come. Is sad to say, that it would be good if she passed before we had to
check her in to a full service place. Having seen lots of people that have
no idea of who they are and eating with their fingers, I would hate to see
that happen. My dad and stepfather have both been gone for 25 and 40 years.
so she is the last. Except for my dads youngest sister who is still going
fine at 83.

Mom finally settled
 

Don White wrote:
It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest nursing
home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)

She started off in a local hospital back in Jan 2007, moved to a
'transistional care unit' for about six months until the first bed became
available in a rural town about 45 miles from here. I knew winter was coming
so by October I added the largest facility here to her preferred list as a
temp spot. She moved there mid October and last week we finally got the
word that a room in her 'first choice' facility came open.
Nice bright spot.. 6 year old building, everyone gets a private room with
bath, phone and cable tv.
Her wing was dominated by the Sisters of Charity... but as they thin out,
lay residents now make up almost half of the 24 spots in her wing. Another
nearby wing holds a group of Sisters in 'assisted living'. What a beautiful
spot...all dark woods with a library & small chapel
I joke about getting in there myself when the Sisters leave for their oun
facility in a couple of years.
Interesting group these Sisters. A lot of them came from the Boston area...
recruited and shipped north to the main training facility on a large chunk
of land overlooking Bedford Basin and the narrows bridge.
They have a hugh 'Mother House' residence there and what was once a Catholic
womans university ...now open to the general public.
At one time the sisters taught in most of the catholic elementary/jr high
schools here. http://www.schalifax.ca/sub/06roots/04atour.html
Anyway they were quick to pop in and invite mom to their daily 11 am mass on
the 3rd floor
Hopefuly this will be it.

Now...just as we get mom settled, my wifes' mother is starting the same long
process...exactly one year behind my mom. She even spent time in the same
hospital room/bed for a bit.



Do they offer boating?

WTF?

Mom finally settled
 

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:23:22 -0400, DK wrote:

Don White wrote:
It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest nursing
home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)

She started off in a local hospital back in Jan 2007, moved to a
'transistional care unit' for about six months until the first bed became
available in a rural town about 45 miles from here. I knew winter was coming
so by October I added the largest facility here to her preferred list as a
temp spot. She moved there mid October and last week we finally got the
word that a room in her 'first choice' facility came open.
Nice bright spot.. 6 year old building, everyone gets a private room with
bath, phone and cable tv.
Her wing was dominated by the Sisters of Charity... but as they thin out,
lay residents now make up almost half of the 24 spots in her wing. Another
nearby wing holds a group of Sisters in 'assisted living'. What a beautiful
spot...all dark woods with a library & small chapel
I joke about getting in there myself when the Sisters leave for their oun
facility in a couple of years.
Interesting group these Sisters. A lot of them came from the Boston area...
recruited and shipped north to the main training facility on a large chunk
of land overlooking Bedford Basin and the narrows bridge.
They have a hugh 'Mother House' residence there and what was once a Catholic
womans university ...now open to the general public.
At one time the sisters taught in most of the catholic elementary/jr high
schools here. http://www.schalifax.ca/sub/06roots/04atour.html
Anyway they were quick to pop in and invite mom to their daily 11 am mass on
the 3rd floor
Hopefuly this will be it.

Now...just as we get mom settled, my wifes' mother is starting the same long
process...exactly one year behind my mom. She even spent time in the same
hospital room/bed for a bit.



Do they offer boating?

WTF?

Not cool.
--
John *H*
(Not the other one!)

Mom finally settled
 

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:53:21 -0700, dennis meissner wrote:


"Don White" wrote in message
...
It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest nursing
home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)

She started off in a local hospital back in Jan 2007, moved to a
'transistional care unit' for about six months until the first bed became
available in a rural town about 45 miles from here. I knew winter was
coming so by October I added the largest facility here to her preferred
list as a temp spot. She moved there mid October and last week we finally
got the word that a room in her 'first choice' facility came open.
Nice bright spot.. 6 year old building, everyone gets a private room with
bath, phone and cable tv.
Her wing was dominated by the Sisters of Charity... but as they thin out,
lay residents now make up almost half of the 24 spots in her wing. Another
nearby wing holds a group of Sisters in 'assisted living'. What a
beautiful spot...all dark woods with a library & small chapel
I joke about getting in there myself when the Sisters leave for their oun
facility in a couple of years.
Interesting group these Sisters. A lot of them came from the Boston
area... recruited and shipped north to the main training facility on a
large chunk of land overlooking Bedford Basin and the narrows bridge.
They have a hugh 'Mother House' residence there and what was once a
Catholic womans university ...now open to the general public.
At one time the sisters taught in most of the catholic elementary/jr high
schools here. http://www.schalifax.ca/sub/06roots/04atour.html
Anyway they were quick to pop in and invite mom to their daily 11 am mass
on the 3rd floor
Hopefuly this will be it.

Now...just as we get mom settled, my wifes' mother is starting the same
long process...exactly one year behind my mom. She even spent time in the
same hospital room/bed for a bit.


I spend an hour each week (sometimes more) with a group from a
retirement/assisted living facility answering pc questions. It is amazing
how many seniors have pc's and broadband connections in their rooms. Alot
of them are doing their own family histories, further into geneology, and
purchasing their needs online (avoids driving). The pc also allows them to
immediately get pictures from their family and friends keeping them more in
touch.

I taught a 90 yr old how to video edit and create dvd's for slide shows...
she probably spends 6 to 8 hours a day in front of her pc...

That's a very noble way to use your time and I imagine it is quite
fulfilling for both sides.

How's the food at the home? I found that with a few of my uncles that
have gone through this process the meals are a huge consideration.

on another topic...think I will go dewinterize my boat now :)


Good Luck

Dennis

Mom finally settled
 

"JimH" wrote in message
...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Don White" wrote in message
...


It's taken 15 months but we finally have mom settled in the nicest
nursing home in the Halifax area. (physical structure anyway)


Congratulations. That is quite an accomplishment and I mean that
sincerely. Hope she (and you) can relax and enjoy the rest of the time
she has left on this earth.

We are going through the initial stages of the same thing, except
there're three elders to consider.
My 80 year old mother moved into the old farmhouse at the end of our
driveway after my dad passed away 7 years ago. She's done very well
maintaining her independence, learning how to use a computer for email
and ordering items on the Internet or shopping for food using the home
delivery service, "PeaPod". Unfortunately, her ability to live alone is
coming to an end, however.

She has a rare form of MS that is very slow progressing, but over time it
robs her of her mobility. When she first moved in, she could still get
around with the aid of a walker. Now, she's confined to a wheelchair
and, unfortunately it's becoming very difficult and dangerous for her to
transfer herself from it to the bath or bed. Last week she fell at 6AM.
She wears one of those "Help, I fell and can't get up" transmitters. It
automatically called both the paramedics and our house. It took three of
us to get her off the floor and back into the wheelchair. She's not that
heavy, but it's like picking up a wet noodle because she has very little
strength to hold on. This wasn't the first emergency call to 911. It's
starting to become more and more regular.

Anyway, she seemed fine until the day before yesterday. She can't feel
much in her legs, but complained about a sore ankle.
Took her to the hospital and sure enough. It was broken in three places.
So now she's in a cast from toe to knee for the next 6-8 weeks.

It's time for assisted living, except I have some concern that she may
not qualify. You have to be able to transfer yourself from the
wheelchair to bed, etc. in most places. I am afraid a nursing home may
be in order, much to her dismay. I really don't know what else to do.
We may have waited too long, having her live in the old house we bought.

Meanwhile, Mrs.E.'s parents are in a similar situation. Her mother has
about the same mobility as mine and needs daily assistance.
Her father suffered a stroke a year or so ago and really isn't all there.
He acts and thinks like a five or six year old. Caring for them keeps
my wife and her sister constantly busy and there's always the fear in the
back of your minds that something stupid is going to happen. The other
day her father decided to turn the self-clean cycle of the stove on, but
forgot to take out a bunch of pots and pans with plastic handles. Set
off all the fire alarms and filled the house with smoke.

We knew this day was coming. It's one of the primary reasons we ended up
selling the properties in Florida and gave up living down there during
the winter.

shutter

Eisboch




We went through the ordeal with my Mom (now deceased,God bless her Soul),
starting with independent living (she had a townhouse which we sold), then
assisted living and finally a series of nursing homes. The money my
parents scrimped and saved, including the proceeds from the sale of her
townhouse, all went to pay for her living expenses. When they dried up
the Govt. picked up the tab.

The nursing home living, especially towards the end of her life, was tough
to see, especially with her continued declining health.

My Dad died when I was a junior in college. My wife's Mom died peacefully
in her sleep (she was still healthy), her Dad some 18 years earlier.

For those with parents still alive and healthy............tell them
everyday how much you love them as they will one day be gone, as with all
of us.

Funny how life reaches full circle. They take care of us in the
beginning and we take care of them in the end.

Best of luck to you and Don in caring for your parents.

Thanks JimH.