Up
drive
get there
they aren’t there
phone – where are you?
can you make some viewing appointments?
3 Aged care facilities
Penguins & brother to meet me
they run late
i get lost
i finally locate to see no car parking
feathers ruffled
i phone brother tell him nope
had enough not bothering
look up next one
read some reviews, two deaths from
falling in the showers
phone brother
another nope a big nope this time
one more for the day
we arrive
indian family run the facility
showed us around
pop seated in a wheelchair for quicker coverage
mumma chugging along with her walker
place is clean
unlike the last place
modern
low care – high care and beyond
double room vacant you say?
costs?
hmm that’s doable, after selling their home 😞
when do you need to know by?
friday
as in this Friday?
yes
come home
ate two chocolate ice creams
comfort food?
transition time
let the battle begin!
Ramblings From A Mum 
Oh I hear what you are going through as we have been through this too. You tell the story so well in these snippets. Hope things work out, Jenny.
Thanks Jodi..let the…fun begin?
No wonder you had two chocolate ice creams. Whew. I hope you’ll be surprised and not need to battle. ❤ ❤ ❤
Exactly I’m glad you saw why! 😉. Not looking positive so far, but I’ll keep you posted. 💚💙💜
❤ ❤ ❤
Now I know why you needed that ice-cream earlier. It’s a tough business finding care that you’re happy with. You can do it J.
Precisely! Yes very, the problem is until they are in there will I know how happy I am with it 😟
You’ve got to risk one of them. We had the same with my Nanna and got very lucky.
Fingers crossed then, the only other thing that is convincing me, is that the others I had to make an appointment for. This establishment said just come in…
If it looks clean and the staff make a good impression, then go for it,
Tick and tick ☺️Thanks mate.
Welcome 🙂
Wow. This is tough, Jen. Take care. 🙂
Thanks sweet, may the force be with me! 😌
It is a very hard proposition finding the right place. I could share some horror stories from our family’s experiences, but I won’t burden you with them as they are just anecdotal. I know you will eventually find a good, clean, caring place. Bon courage Jen, as the French say. xx
Thank you so much Beth, finding a place is an accomplishment, knowing that they will be treated properly a whole new ball game. Thank you for the Bon courage. 💚 xx
Oh! My goodness these decisions ate so hard to make and so important. Yet I know you will make the right decision. Love to you all. xxxx
Thank you my lovely lady, yes tough decisions ahead..or shortly in fact. It has to be done, it’s just tough all round. Hugs and love to you 💙💚 xx
<3. ❤
Well you know I’m all for the chocolate ice creams. They often a much needed source of comfort in my home. Were they magnums by any chance? I miss my magnums. Were they the double chocolate coated ones? oh okay, moving along then..
I know how difficult this is for you my lovely. You will decide when your instinct finds the place, and you know mum and pop can be happy there.
My aunt( a massage therapist at elderly home in Sydney) used to say, you know how well a place is run by the happy faces that greet you, where an active social life, music and game nights along with a library kept everyone in good spirits, even if physically it was a challenge. She would often check bathrooms and the kitchen as well.
Thinking of you
xxxx
Yes and I do and err yes. magnums coffee ones…nom nom nom 😏 my instincts are saying this one All we saw were people sitting in seats in their activity rooms watching the telly, but it was mid afternoon, when most are sleeping. They have outdoor and indoor activities, a library, physiotherapist, hairdresser. Their ratio is 3 staff to 6 residents (the other place was 3 to 42!) they can have input into the menu, they have a resident meeting to advise management of any concerns. It all sounds too good to be true, but everyone was smiling. Their ensuite is large modern and new and they showed us the kitchen which was clean. Thank you..two days for decision… Love you 💚 xxx
Good luck Jen, some good positive news so I’m pleased for you, hope it works out for you all….
Thank you mate and Bon Voyage to you!! Have a wonderful trip! 😊
Thank you I’ll let you know how I go.
I love this very much, Jen. I think you got the hang of it and did a terrific job of capturing how hectic, how strange and worrisome looking at the homes for the elderly can be, along with horrible reviews and the comfort of a double chocolate ice cream. Momma and Poppa, brother, and YOU are in my prayers, my dear one! xoxo
Thank you darling, glad the frantic came through, as it was. Thanks for your prayers too xoxo💙
I think your parents may rebel, but if you find a place you are comfortable in, you will find it so much better on them, first of all. Then, second, on YOU, since it does help me to worry less about my Mom. They call my brother, she loses things, then finds them, she writes nasty letters to the administration then gives them boxes of candy. I think they understand the ways her mind goes this way and that. I would live there, Jen. This is how you must feel when you find the ‘proper’ place, then don’t look back! (I mean this!)
Take care and hugs sent your way, Robin
Hugs and thank you darling lady . 💙 xox
I see families dealing with this constantly Jen. I’m sorry you’re going through this. Why do we make it so difficult for our families to take care of one another?
It must be terrible, but satisfying once they find a place they are happy with. I wish I knew, it’s not only the stress on our elderly, or the family, but the financial burdens also 😔 xx
That is exactly what I hear. And it is a scary process. The not knowing. But on the other side of it Jen, I am amazed (happily) at how many have said once they find the placement, how much of a difference it has made in their lives. The care is suddenly not just in a few hands but MANY. And family can start to enjoy being family again.
Thank you ☺️
Sending best wishes and sparks your way Jenny for a successful outcome. Take care of yourself…
Thank you so much Daniel, be less stressed when it all come to fruition!
Heartache for sure. We are there too. Decisions I never thought about having to make. You are doing the right thing…I tell you and me at the same time. Are we? Ugh. Heartache.
Yes we are, we have to be. Mum thinks I want to lock her and throw away the key, it’s not going to get easier. Selling the house, all their furniture. This is for their safety and our sanity and health also. Ugh indeed. xxx
Frantic pace and mind, Jen. Two might not cover the rest of the week but the right outcome will present for sure. Sending lots of good vibes for a positive outcome. Hugs.x
Thank you Sunshine, yes yesterday was quite exhausting. 2 days to make the decision, or we may have to make it for them … Hugs back xx
never a smooth path and it will all fall into place, in spite of how craggy the trail may be. keep us posted –
No it’s not hun, I will ….couple of days to wait, see the decision, or it may be taken out of their hands.. I wish I could walk a smooth road for a change. Hugs x💙
Sending support and saying hello.
Support always appreciated as is saying hello, my darling…I thank you. 💙