Dear Readers,
A few weeks ago I told you about a promising new drug for Alzheimer’s disease called Alzhemed. Well, because it did not show a favorable significant difference in U.S. participants, the phase III trials have been discontinued. There are, however, several other drugs for Alzheimer’s disease we should be hearing about soon. Go to www.clinicaltrials.gov to see what is on the horizon.
Dear Mary,
I have some questions about my eighty-five year old mother-in-law. She is living three thousand miles away in a house she has been in for more than forty years. Her husband died a few years ago and she is thinking about moving here to be close to her children. She is talking about buying an apartment in a continuing care retirement community where there are military retirees. This seems to be important to her because her husband was career Air Force and she understands the culture.
My husband and I are concerned that she is being pressured by family to move. So far she is in good health; having only mild short term memory issues. She plays bridge several times a week and remains active. Although she says she makes friends easily, we worry about her missing her life-long friends.
We want her to live where she will be happiest and we will do everything we can to make it work. Do you think we should encourage this move? Thank you so much for your comments
Dear Reader,
I must say, your question is a different one. I am usually asked how to get a resistant parent to move.
The great advantage of continuing care retirement communities is continuity of care as a person ages. Residents start out in independent living and can progress to assisted living then nursing home as their level of care increases without leaving “home”. Communities in our area serve a good number of military retirees and your mother-in-law should fit right in.
It is not a sin for her family to want her to move closer for their convenience. She will need more care as time goes by and responding to a crisis long distance is very difficult.
I think your mother-in-law is a sharp lady who is aware that time is not on her side. Making a move while she is still in good health will give her a chance to settle in nicely and make new friends. She will also be able to visit with family more frequently.
If I were you, I would take advantage of this opportunity and encourage the move.
Dear Mary,
My dear Uncle is dying of prostate cancer and has requested to die at home. His daughter is caring for him but she is worn out. I have tried talking to her about calling Hospice but she says she doesn’t want “strangers” caring for him. I would like to help her but I am not good around sick people. What can I do?
Dear Reader,
Many people think that when Hospice gets involved the family is relegated to the side-lines. This belief is far from the truth. Hospice serves in partnership with the family to provide comfort care to a dying loved one. They also provide emotional and spiritual support to that person as well as to the family.
Please encourage your cousin to at least get a no-obligation consultation and offer to be with her. Once she understands what they do and how they do it I believe she will agree to allow them to help.
Not everyone can provide physical care. Being available to listen and sympathize with her is just as valuable a service. Your cousin is lucky to have you.
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