Aliens Have Abducted My Father-in-Law

[2B]

Not withstanding Building 37 at the Johnson Space Center, aliens have abducted my FIL. For those of you who followed "Save the Last Bullet for Yourself," I have an update on how my FIL is doing in assisted living. He's loving it!!!

We had talked to him for months and he refused to even consider assisted living. He said he was too young (only 85) and might consider it in 5 or 10 years. He said he wouldn't pay for it. He said he'd just leave and go back home.

After 2 weeks, he is the darling of the place. The staff says he's wonderful. He's made new friends. The food is great. He told my son/his grandson that he should have moved there sooner.

My wife took him Friday to his neurologist for a follow up on his Alzheimer's (he's equivalent to age 7 by the scale). The doctor asked him about driving. My FIL said he didn't think he could drive anymore. My wife almost dropped her teeth. She asked about selling his car and he said it was ok. He gave her his car keys.

One of his investment accounts was giving us trouble about his power-of-attorney. He called them up and told them to let his daughter take it over. He couldn't handle the responsibility anymore. Problem solved.

The only lesson from this is to follow your gut. He needed assisted living 3 years ago. My wife and her sister anguished over this and didn't want to upset him. After fighting it for months, he's going great guns.

Those 70 year old babes must have been the ticket.

 

[Brat]

Ok, you are ready for an assisted living story..

A fellow moved into the facility where my Mother lived.  My brother and I would sometimes join her for dinner or lunch.  I yackety-yack with Mom, brother keeps an eye on what else is going on.  He notices this guy leave a room key on the table when he leaves after dinner.  A few minutes later one of the ladies 'notices' and picks it up. 

He asked Mom what is going on, she says that he has no plans for the evening and if someone he likes brings him his key...     else he says "Thank you so much, I am getting a little absent minded."

 

[audreyh1]

2B your wife must be SOOOOO relieved!!!

Congratulations on such a happy ending. Enjoy less stress from now on!

Audrey

 

[frayne]

Does the new medicare drug plan cover viagra prescriptions, if not the costs may go up in proportion to his activiity levels, if you know what I mean ?

Seriously, good deal for all, congrats on doing something that is very hard.

 

[2B]

He asked Mom what is going on, she says that he has no plans for the evening and if someone he likes brings him his key...     else he says "Thank you so much, I am getting a little absent minded."

I don't care what my FIL does or if he can with or without Viagra. I just want him to stay happy while he can still remember his name.

I did see an article about the spread of VD in senior living facilities. It didn't really specify whether it was independent or assisted.

 

[lazygood4nothinbum]

that's great news.

if your fil should later get agitated, seroquel is the alzheimer's caregivers' drug of choice.

lots of continued good luck to you.

 

[Sheryl]

2B - I'm glad to hear that he made the adjustment so well. I hope he enjoys himself with all his new friends.

 

[playaman]

I wish those same alients would abduct by mother. She is 87 and in stage four Alzheimer's disease.

Upon the death of my stepfather in December 2005, we moved here into a really first-rate assisted living center in San Antonio. And, even though she likes the food, she has complained incessenantly since. "Why did you sell my home, sell my car, get rid of my organ?" "I'm so miserable here -- nobody to talk to, no friends, no visitors." The sad thing is she can't remember anything, including visits, conversations with other residents, what doctors have told her...

Of all the illnesses folks I've known have been afflicted with, I think Alzheimer's is the saddest in m any respects.

 

[cabbage]

Two weeks after we put my FIL in a nursing home (advanced Alzheimers) I got a call from the nursing home administrator regarding my FIL's behavior. He complained that my FIL had gone room to room drinking everyones mouthwash and that they couldn't keep from getting in bed with various women. There were no complaints from the women, however!

 

[Brat]

There isn't a lot of crime to report in my community so the local paper publishes the "Police Blotter".  For a couple months last summer there were reports of inappropriate behavior at a nursing home followed by the statement that 'investigation disclosed no crime was committed'. 

 

[lazygood4nothinbum]

"Why did you sell my home, sell my car, get rid of my organ?"

we got a big room for mom, not big enough for the grand as it turned out so we got her an upright to play. why not get an organ for your mom to enjoy and entertain the troops. if no room in her room maybe the facility will let you set it up in the main living area.

mom was able to play all the way through stage 6. but now of course even her hands are folding up. she used to play the classics beautifully. what a crappy disease.

 

[playaman]

Thanks for the suggestion "lazy..."

We've been thinking about getting her a small organ, and your suggestion is great reinforcement. Might be just what she needs.