1. < Caregivers: Dementia

Is it time for a nursing home?

Posted by tschierk @tschierk, Apr 8 9:03am

My mother is now using a wheelchair. I pulled my back today trying to transfer her from bed to chair. Our bathroom is tiny, so there’s also that awkwardness. I just don’t want to be a quitter, plus my dad, also infirm, lives here as well. The nursing home is 2 hours away. He probably could not visit her very often. (There are long wait times for homes, and this is the only one available, but it is close to the rest of the family.)

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gilkesl | @gilkesl | Apr 9 4:00pm

I was two hours away and I wouldn't recommend it. Is there any possibility of caregivers, mechanical lifts, respite or a close facility in the future?

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1 reply
tschierk | @tschierk | Apr 10 1:08pm

I still haven’t made the call to the nursing home. I just don’t know if that particular one is right. We may lose the spot on the waiting list. But God’s will be done. I am also still in contact with a hospice nurse who will visit again soon, to see if mom qualifies. We have already begun transitioning to using commode and sponge baths. I’m learning to lift her with a belt. I never thought I’d do any of those things myself, but I’m reluctantly learning. Then there’s dad who also lives with us. He’s plodding away well enough on his own, but his time is coming as well. Thankfully, he doesn’t have Alzheimer’s dementia.

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tschierk | @tschierk | Apr 10 1:10pm
In reply to @gilkesl "I was two hours away and I wouldn't recommend it. Is there any possibility of caregivers,..." + (show)
@gilkesl

I was two hours away and I wouldn't recommend it. Is there any possibility of caregivers, mechanical lifts, respite or a close facility in the future?

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Thanks. That’s my feeling. We’re looking at hospice soon.

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baj | @baj | Apr 10 3:36pm

Get on the waiting list just in case you can no longer handle the situation - then you would have an option and not feel locked in.

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1 reply
tschierk | @tschierk | Apr 11 1:56pm
In reply to @baj "Get on the waiting list just in case you can no longer handle the situation -..." + (show)
@baj

Get on the waiting list just in case you can no longer handle the situation - then you would have an option and not feel locked in.

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She’s almost to the top of the list, hence the struggle. The next time they call I will have to have a yes or no.

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1 reply
pamela78 | @pamela78 | Apr 12 7:17am
In reply to @tschierk "She’s almost to the top of the list, hence the struggle. The next time they call..." + (show)
@tschierk

She’s almost to the top of the list, hence the struggle. The next time they call I will have to have a yes or no.

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Say yes. I would. You've done everything you could and more, now it's time to let the professionals do their job. Let go with love.

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1 reply
tschierk | @tschierk | Apr 12 4:57pm
In reply to @pamela78 "Say yes. I would. You've done everything you could and more, now it's time to let..." + (show)
@pamela78

Say yes. I would. You've done everything you could and more, now it's time to let the professionals do their job. Let go with love.

Jump to this post

Thank you. That certainly helps if the answer is yes to the nursing home. 💕

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