OT,, Folks getting old.

Daddy is really getting down and losing more memory since his strokes last year. Don't know how much longer they can continue to live there alone. Can't drive any more at all. They don't eat right, won't allow any outside help to come in . Mother has run off or fired everyone we or the assisted living help people have sent over.

A good meal to him now is something nuked in the microwave. One of my brothers or we will take them out at times, but that is getting harder to do because he won't use his walker or his cane and we are afraid he will fall.

Not really looking for any answers, just felt like telling someone besides my wife who has heard it all over and over.

Sure going to miss that place once it is gone, it is 27 acres in Arlington Texas, one of the largest private owned places around any more I guess. And before you ask, nope, can't afford to buy it, we are talking some big money here.

Oh well,, I feel better now..

My parents are gone now. My mother most recently. At the graveside, my oldest brother looked at me and said, "We're next!"

Puts all of this into perspective.

Enjoy life while you have it!... with an N and beer! :-)

I only go home about 2 times a year and have to stay in a hotel then. The other sibling, 2 years younger is in the nursing home for life for the last 5 years.

The place looks terrible now,all grown up and uninhabited now since 1998.

And finally my sister wants to dispose of the place.

Well, there's not a day goes by that I don't think of my Dad and Mom. It took a few years to begin to actually remember them the way they lived their life and not just the last 2-3 years of pain. I still remember my Dad crying as he cared for my mother. The only time in my entire life I ever saw that.

So, good luck to you and it is a difficult trail you are embarking on. It often takes a strong individual to cope with it all. Don't make the mistake that we did and try to let them take care of themselves too long or things like falls and broken hips come into the equation.

My old brother who just died a few months back used to say, there are special places in heaven for people who honor their parents the way you are.

My wife is only 53 years old and is severely disabled due to a brain tumor (she has been this way for over 8 years now).

I pay a lady to stay with her during the day so I can work full time.

I know she could be worse so I try to look at the glass half full instead of half empty.

Hang in there and be as good to your folks as you can for as long as you can.

Rick

I know what you mean about your father, I watched my grandmother go through the exact same thing. Did not want to be a bother to anyone, would not eat right (cookies and such), memory going VERY fast. My father finally just forced her to go to a assisted living center (they are in a small town, so it was not what I was expecting like the big city ones I see that neglect the old folks) that was within 5 miles of their place. It was a night and day change when she started eating regularly and nutritious foods, interacting with others, and using her brain. At 93, her momory is back - well mostly :-), she interacts well, and is as spry as ever. I know it is hard, but I really feel if you could actually find a decent assisted living center in the big city (good luck) you would see a HUGE difference in your parents, but I know how hard it is to make that decision and force them to accept it as well.

I have been there.

Good luck to you and your family,
Dan

Mother just absolutely refuses to get any help and has been told that if she doesn't have her other eye lens replacment done she will be blind in that eye..

Jeeze,,, ok, will call the brothers this weekend and try to explain that enough is enough!

Wish we luck!!!

Thanks to all you guys for your imput,, will keep you advised, when I have something good to post.

Cheers!!!!

Hey Dan, How far is Garland from Plano,I"m gonna be down there in late Sept for a class at UGS..

Tim

Dan

Tim

Dan