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How are they managing their medications?
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Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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Sign over a Gynecologist's Office: Dr.. Jones, at your cervix ************************** In a Podiatrist's office: Time wounds all heels ************************** On a Septic Tank Truck: Yesterday's Meals on Wheels ************************** On a Proctologist's door: To expedite your visit, please back in ************************** On a Plumber's truck: We repair what your husband fixed **************************
On another Plumber's truck: Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber ************************** On a Church's Bill board: 7 days without God makes one weak
************************
At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee: Invite us to your next blowout ************************** On a Tow Truck: We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows **************************
On an Electrician's Truck: Let us remove your shorts ******** ****************** In a Non-smoking Area: If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action ************************** On a Maternity Room door: Push Push Push
************************* At an Optometrist's Office: If you don't see what you're looking for you've come to the right place ************************** On a Taxidermist's window: We really know our stuff **************************
On a Fence: Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive! **************************
At a Car Dealership: The best way to get back on your feet Miss a car payment ************************** Outside a Muffler Shop: No appointment necessary We hear you coming ************************** In a Veterinarian's waiting room: Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay! ************************** At the Electric Company We would be delighted if you send in your payment. However, if you don't, you will be *************************
In a Restaurant window: Don't stand there and be hungry come on in and get fed up ************************** In the front yard of a Funeral Home: Drive carefully. We'll wait. **************************
At a Propane Filling Station: Thank heaven for little grills
************************
CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP: Best place in town to take a leak
Thought you would appreciate a heads-up on this scam.
Older men scam!
Women often receive warnings about protecting themselves at the mall and in dark parking lots, etc. This is the first warning I have seen for men. I wanted to pass it on in case you haven't heard about it.
A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular customers at Lowe's, Home Depot, Costco, or even Wal-Mart. This one caught me totally by surprise.
Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic.
Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends.
Here's how the scam works:
Two nice-looking, college-aged girls will come over to your car or truck as you are packing your purchases into your vehicle.
They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex in skimpy T-shirts.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' but instead ask for a ride to McDonald's.
You agree and they climb into the vehicle. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen Mar. 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th, & 29th. Also Apr. 1st & 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th & 27th, and very likely again this upcoming weekend.
So tell your friends to be careful. What a horrible way to take advantage of us older men. Warn your friends to be vigilant.
Wal-Mart has wallets on sale for $2.99 each. I found even cheaper ones for $.99 at the dollar store and bought them out in three of their stores.
Also, you never get to eat at McDonald's. I've already lost 11 pounds just running back and forth from Lowe's, to Home Depot, to Costco, Etc.
So please, send this on to all the older men that you know and warn them to be on the lookout for this scam. (The best times are just before lunch and around 4:30 in the afternoon.)
This is mythical and deep. Truly beautiful... A man asked an American Indian what was his wife's name. He replied, "She called Five Horses". The man said, "That's an unusual name for your wife. What does it mean?" The Old Indian answered, "It old Indian Name. It mean...
Good late evening Caregiver Friends, 57 notifications on my wall. sigh. I read them all and pretty tired tonight. Not from reading you all. Never. You are the bread and butter of my day, the cherry on top of my Sundae, the various assorted, uh, vegetables in my salad. Crudites, all. I am sitting in the dark, my hubby on my right, snoring, the mommy monitor on my left, snoring, clicking away--ok, HB, I'll get a new one, or at least change the batteries. The only light is my laptop screen, and the digital time on my hd box. GEEZE! Had to tell hubby to turn over, scared the hell out of me, and Mother's snores and wave-like breathing is lulling me toward sleep, but not yet. How do I feel about caregiving, and the caregivers I pay to help me? First, I have so much respect for our weekday lady. She has much experience, is so patient. While I am in the next room making faces and being irritated by Mother's non-stop fidgeting, she is calmly marching her around the house, telling her to pick up her feet, 1,2,3. She does her job well, and is honest, saying "Mother is the most difficult client she has ever had". I believe it. She has told me she "likes to stay with her clients until the end." So that tells me she is committed, and will do what it takes, and that is comforting to me! Wow. Something to depend on in this unpredictable craziness of caring for a woman who used to be my Mother. People have told me I'm a good daughter. I think if I didn't have the thoughts I have, I would be a pretty good daughter. If I am taking the responsibility, adjusting my once independent and freedom filled life to incorporate caring for my Mother in my home, and I am providing the best care possible for her, then a little griping is harmless. I can compare the rationalizing of this griping to the story of the man who complained because he had no shoes, until he saw a man who had no feet. We complain and we vent, while we are doing a tough job. We inject humor and some vulgarity for shock value, and we continue to do the job. We get support from each other, from husbands, our friends, or we don't, but we keep doing the job. Pressure valves exist for a reason. One can pretend to be Mother Teresa for just so long, then 'poof', you turn into Jack Nicholson in the Shining, and you've let the proverbial cat out of the bag. Whatever the classification, you can do the job, with or without venting, but venting keeps you humbly, honestly human. I also think having a good pity party cry is cleansing and renewing, and should be done periodically. This is not a thing to become a daily or weekly habit, but it's certainly a good thing. If you start to get hysterical and feel on the edge of--your computer, say--definitely go have a good cry. Then get over it. Over and over again. Think Pressure Valve. Pillow Therapy, Bobbie style. My other caregiver, bless her heart, is in way over her head. She cannot do the job because of personal problems. I have reduced her responsibilities three times and kept her pay the same, trying to help her out, because of her personal problems. But I don't NEED any more problems. I need help; solid, dependable help. Mother needs to feel her caregiver is there for her, and is a constant; not a constant annoyance. I think anyone who is a paid caregiver has a pretty remarkable persona. Some of their qualities are simple, while others show the depth of an avatar. Very few souls have graced the earth who embody these qualities, but I can think of a few.
BTW: Rosella, I was not complaining. Meow, Meow, Yee Haw! Ride'm Cowboy!! dadalump, dadalump, dada lump lump lump!
Ladeeda, please be careful. I'd turn in those morons next door. Then come help me with a ladylike but difficult patient:)
Ted! That's exactly what I thought when I just read the thread. arrrarrrharhar
Laleeda has a tough one but I think she has heard some good advice. Nothing like idiots to really get you going. Everybody wrote some great stuff last night! Love you guys, you are all incredible!
having coffee and watching the sun come up. the Cat got off the boat yesterday and onto the dock JUST when the paint guy fired up the air brush. the Cat got back on the boat immediately with a big fattie. She is now sitting like the lady she is on the settee in the cockpit and gazing at the seagulls and matbe imagining one tits up in the oven... We are docked at the end on a pier, so right on the river and I've been cleaning and cleaning the construction mess so the boat is very pleasant today.... until I start working again.
Jen, you are so on the money with the situation and when Laleeda left for 5 hours and came back to a crappy decorating job, I think that summed up the family that are the relatives to this lady. Yup, I don't like too many drugs either but jeeze! Great drugs are made specifically for that behavior!!! My entire life would have been so much less of a struggle if my mom and dad could have had anti depressants and perhaps even anti anxiety meds. when (and I have mentioned this a few times on this thread, but for the newer folks...) I gave mom Namenda for the first time it took about 2o minutes and she was so pleasant and engaging and funny and NOT MEAN!!! wow. my entire childhood flashed before my eyes in a nanosecond and I realized how mentally ill she was the whole time and what are you going to do? it's done. All we can do is try to keep others from experiencing what we have fought so hard to survive. Which is why I say: VENT!!!! Keep Venting! When the jerks want to act like we're in the wrong because we are REAL and we KEEP IT REAL, just know that they are weak and afraid and we should pity them. If only we had the time. God save me from your followers. Vent on!
Ye ha, an almost Mae West quote first thing this morning, love ya Ted, And if you insist I am a hero, then picture me in a banana suit juggling knives to the beat of something be Slim Shady... have a good day
Ladies wet your pantyhose sing the chorus and it goes I'm Slim Shady yes I'm the Real Shady all them other Slim Shadies are just imitatin u Rock Ladeeda! lovbob
Yep, throat still hurts. Trying to pretend it doesn't. Going to work again today. One good thing is it's casual day so I can wear jeans, my skechers and my new Universal Studios sweatshirt.
All this talk about care giving and how we should not bitch about it has got me thinking I wish I had taken more time with Mom. I wish I had been more patient. I wish we had a dress rehearsal in life. But we don't. But I do know this. I was more patient than many would have been. Guess I gotta hang on to that. :)
I still think I hear her sometimes. Just every so often.
Okay, gotta move forward. Hubby's printing off brochure of a bunch of houses we want to look at. When we know we have a house I think that will help me. It's stressful not knowing what is going to happen. We plan to buy a house for cheap and fix it up some and hopefully when the housing market gets better we can sell it and move to another town. Hopefully someplace warmer. I am so sick of the winters. I'm totally a Spring/Summer girl.
Miz, Sounds like a good plan, i hear it's a good time to buy if you can. I hate having to live in a rental, but the place mom owns is deep in the woods, two story, lots of stiars and too far out of town to take her on strolls and stuff, just not a good situation for her. The last time she stroked out the ambulance couldn't get down the dirt road. so now it sits empty.
Hugs and love to all who responded to my out cry last night.Talked with the daughter this morning, one call to the Dr. and we will soon have Ativan on board. I put it to the daughter that her mother was in a mental hell when she was acting out like yesterday.That some of the methods they choose to use with her robs her of her dignity whether her mother knows it or not. But I know and I will not continue to be a part of her suffering. I will do anything to make Ruth's last days more pleasant, but the bottom line is, I needed the family to cooperate, stop micro-managing, listen to me when i am trying to explain solutions for her mothers care. Ya'll will be so proud, I never raised my voice, never got ugly, just said what I needed to say, got to the point and as she was resenting every word coming out of my mouth, she still made the call. All I care about is that she did as I asked, not whether or not it made the daughter mad.So thanks again to everyone, I appreciate you taking time out of your crazy lives and helping me last night. I did give her a peeled banana today for a snack. I was almost hysterical, but I went outside and smoked until I regained some composure.. Thanks again.
I hope they pay you plenty ~ You certainly deserve it! Your next venture might be that of a mediator between family & care givers. I know my brothers don't really listen to me, however an outside "professional" source they would. They respect those fancy framed papers hanging on an office wall. Highly educated boys where I took a different path.
Bobbie mentioned recently about 'educated' professionals not knowing crap. We are the pros ~ where's the $? Hey Ted, start designing diplomas. Sell em on Ebay
Hey guys, just drove back from a client and saw a sign that reads: "Someday is not a DAY of the week!" Soooo, let's take an hour from today for ourselves, if we can :) Still got plenty of room for everyone to take the garden walk with me today!
Ladee, If I had an award, an honor, to present you with, I would do it proudly. You, my friend are a shining example of Love, Compassion, and and plain ol' Humanity (and one tough piece of work!) that seems to be an impossible thing to find lately. I think Rip is onto something, with some peice of paper in your pocket you could easily find success as an elder advocate that steps in when the family loses their way. Kudos!
Awwww Ted, you have made an old banana hunter so happy. I guess I just don't think of myself as doing anything special, just do what my gut tells me to do. And someone has to be her voice. But I do, from the bottom of my heart thank you for your words of encouragement and support. And Rip has had my heart and back since I first logged in to this sight. I do not feel so alone today..
Miz mentioned a joke earlier, and I have a cute one. It is a heartwarming story about the bond formed between a 5 year old girl and some construction workers, that will make you believe we all can make a difference when we give a child the gift of our time. ********************** A young family moved into a house next to a vacant lot. One day, a construction crew began to build a house on the empty lot.
The family's five year old daughter took an interest in the goings on and spent much of the time each day observing the workers.
Eventually, the construction crew--all of them "diamonds in the rough", more or less--adopted her as a kind of project mascot.
They chatted with her during coffee and lunch breaks and gave her little jobs to do to make her feel important.
At the end of the first week, they presented her with a pay envelope containing ten dollars. The little girl took this home to her mother who suggested that she take the ten dollars to the bank and open a savings account.
The little girl and her mother went to the bank. The teller was impressed and asked the little girl how she had come by her very own paycheck at such a young age.
The little girl proudly replied, "I worked last week with a real construction crew, building the new house next door to us."
"Oh, my goodness gracious", said the teller, "and will you be working on the house again this week, too?"
The little girl replied, "I will, if those a$$holes at the Home Store ever deliver the f--kin' sheet rock."
I don;t know about the "paper" . I know me well enough to know I could not deal with the all the silly rules, regulations and lack of funding. I'll just end up where I am needed I guess.And no, my salary is less than $100 a week. But that's ok. I was relocated to this area after Hurricane Rita. I lost everything, so I have learned how to simplify my needs and wants. And besides, so many of you get no money for what you do, who am I to complain. I am making new friends and that is worth more than money can ever buy
Heh. I can't get a diploma in caregiving. I am an amateur when it comes to this. LaDeeda you are awesome.
I am a professional at what I do, and what I do best is b*tch. My family knows this, it isn’t a big secret. I still can't get a diploma in b*tchin though, it isn't a job category. My grandmother would sit and laugh so long and hard at my b*tchin it made me aspire to b*tch longer, harder, and with more flair. I can b*tch on a wide range of topics which makes me a truly enlightened b*tch. If only I could get paid for doing what I do best. I find joy in b*tching. B*tching in several languages would also be novel, but maybe it is better to climb to the top in one language. You know what they say “jack of all trades, master of none” I’ll stick to English b*tching.
Guess what? My gran is responding to the addition of the smallest amount of Haldol. She has seemed to be a little bit more like herself today. She is still forgetful and helpless, but OMG she is funny today. Some of her OCD behavior also seems to be less. She is more settled and less anxious
I pushed her into the bathroom and said like usual "Use lots of toilet paper grandma, be kind to the TP and don't shred it, it used to be a tree." So she looks at me and says with a twinkle in her eye "Thanks for the information, I suppose it has done enough wiping my bottom, no need to continue to punish it." After my mouth dropped and I regained my composure we laughed and laughed.
We've shared a few other moments today that were pretty funny. I was pretty surprised that she was bantering with me. Because my family embraces my “humor” as part of my person, they don’t expect me to suddenly become someone else just because I’m caring for the elderly. I love it when gran gets all snappy with me because we do it in good humor. I hope she continues to improve, or at least not regress. Today was really not a bad day at all.
Can someone please tell me why I am snickering everytime I walk past the fruit bowl? I have the wild urge to shove a banana down my drawers to save for later.
A Monkey walks into a tavern and sits belly to the bar. 3 butterknives and a banana are already sitting there partying in pink prom dresses. The banana looked particulary captivating and was wearing a tiara. Clearly this banana was ripe and ready for love.
The Monkey orders his drink and starts winking at the butterknives. The bartender watches this for a while and then leans in close to the monkey and says..."I'm confused...there is a beautiful ripe banana sitting there and you are coming on to the butterknives...what is your angle?" The monkey smiled and said, "I can have my way with that banana anytime I want, if I charm the butterknives, maybe I can get them all in my pants before the bar closes".
I salute you LaDeeda I love your new title...The Banana Hunter...I'm waiting for your show to be picked up on cable.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Dr.. Jones, at your cervix
**************************
In a Podiatrist's office:
Time wounds all heels
**************************
On a Septic Tank Truck:
Yesterday's Meals on Wheels
**************************
On a Proctologist's door:
To expedite your visit, please back in
**************************
On a Plumber's truck:
We repair what your husband fixed
**************************
On another Plumber's truck:
Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber
**************************
On a Church's Bill board:
7 days without God makes one weak
************************
At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee:
Invite us to your next blowout
**************************
On a Tow Truck:
We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows
**************************
On an Electrician's Truck:
Let us remove your shorts
******** ******************
In a Non-smoking Area:
If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action
**************************
On a Maternity Room door:
Push Push Push
*************************
At an Optometrist's Office:
If you don't see what you're looking for
you've come to the right place
**************************
On a Taxidermist's window:
We really know our stuff
**************************
On a Fence:
Salesmen welcome!
Dog food is expensive!
**************************
At a Car Dealership:
The best way to get back on your feet
Miss a car payment
**************************
Outside a Muffler Shop:
No appointment necessary
We hear you coming
**************************
In a Veterinarian's waiting room:
Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!
**************************
At the Electric Company
We would be delighted if you send in your payment.
However, if you don't, you will be
*************************
In a Restaurant window:
Don't stand there and be hungry
come on in and get fed up
**************************
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
Drive carefully.
We'll wait.
**************************
At a Propane Filling Station:
Thank heaven for little grills
************************
CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP:
Best place in town to take a leak
*********************
Older men scam!
Women often receive warnings about protecting themselves at the mall and in dark parking lots, etc. This is the first warning I have seen for men. I wanted to pass it on in case you haven't heard about it.
A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular customers at Lowe's, Home Depot, Costco, or even Wal-Mart. This one caught me totally by surprise.
Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic.
Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends.
Here's how the scam works:
Two nice-looking, college-aged girls will come over to your car or truck as you are packing your purchases into your vehicle.
They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex in skimpy T-shirts.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' but instead ask for a ride to McDonald's.
You agree and they climb into the vehicle. On the way, they start
undressing. Then one of them starts crawling all over you, while the other
one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen Mar. 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th,
24th, & 29th. Also Apr. 1st & 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th &
27th, and very likely again this upcoming weekend.
So tell your friends to be careful. What a horrible way to take advantage of us older men. Warn your friends to be vigilant.
Wal-Mart has wallets on sale for $2.99 each. I found even cheaper ones for $.99 at the dollar store and bought them out in three of their stores.
Also, you never get to eat at McDonald's. I've already lost 11 pounds just running back and forth from Lowe's, to Home Depot, to Costco, Etc.
So please, send this on to all the older men that you know and warn them to be on the lookout for this scam. (The best times are just before lunch and around 4:30 in the afternoon.)
Truly beautiful...
A man asked an American Indian what was his wife's name.
He replied, "She called Five Horses".
The man said, "That's an unusual name for your wife.
What does it mean?"
The Old Indian answered,
"It old Indian Name. It mean...
NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG!
57 notifications on my wall. sigh. I read them all and pretty tired tonight. Not from reading you all. Never. You are the bread and butter of my day, the cherry on top of my Sundae, the various assorted, uh, vegetables in my salad. Crudites, all.
I am sitting in the dark, my hubby on my right, snoring, the mommy monitor on my left, snoring, clicking away--ok, HB, I'll get a new one, or at least change the batteries. The only light is my laptop screen, and the digital time on my hd box. GEEZE! Had to tell hubby to turn over, scared the hell out of me, and Mother's snores and wave-like breathing is lulling me toward sleep, but not yet.
How do I feel about caregiving, and the caregivers I pay to help me? First, I have so much respect for our weekday lady. She has much experience, is so patient. While I am in the next room making faces and being irritated by Mother's non-stop fidgeting, she is calmly marching her around the house, telling her to pick up her feet, 1,2,3. She does her job well, and is honest, saying "Mother is the most difficult client she has ever had". I believe it. She has told me she "likes to stay with her clients until the end." So that tells me she is committed, and will do what it takes, and that is comforting to me! Wow. Something to depend on in this unpredictable craziness of caring for a woman who used to be my Mother.
People have told me I'm a good daughter. I think if I didn't have the thoughts I have, I would be a pretty good daughter.
If I am taking the responsibility, adjusting my once independent and freedom filled life to incorporate caring for my Mother in my home, and I am providing the best care possible for her, then a little griping is harmless.
I can compare the rationalizing of this griping to the story of the man who complained because he had no shoes, until he saw a man who had no feet.
We complain and we vent, while we are doing a tough job. We inject humor and some vulgarity for shock value, and we continue to do the job. We get support from each other, from husbands, our friends, or we don't, but we keep doing the job.
Pressure valves exist for a reason. One can pretend to be Mother Teresa for just so long, then 'poof', you turn into Jack Nicholson in the Shining, and you've let the proverbial cat out of the bag.
Whatever the classification, you can do the job, with or without venting, but venting keeps you humbly, honestly human.
I also think having a good pity party cry is cleansing and renewing, and should be done periodically. This is not a thing to become a daily or weekly habit, but it's certainly a good thing.
If you start to get hysterical and feel on the edge of--your computer, say--definitely go have a good cry. Then get over it. Over and over again.
Think Pressure Valve. Pillow Therapy, Bobbie style.
My other caregiver, bless her heart, is in way over her head. She cannot do the job because of personal problems. I have reduced her responsibilities three times and kept her pay the same, trying to help her out, because of her personal problems. But I don't NEED any more problems. I need help; solid, dependable help. Mother needs to feel her caregiver is there for her, and is a constant; not a constant annoyance.
I think anyone who is a paid caregiver has a pretty remarkable persona. Some of their qualities are simple, while others show the depth of an avatar. Very few souls have graced the earth who embody these qualities, but I can think of a few.
BTW: Rosella, I was not complaining. Meow, Meow, Yee Haw!
Ride'm Cowboy!! dadalump, dadalump, dada lump lump lump!
Ladeeda, please be careful. I'd turn in those morons next door. Then come help me with a ladylike but difficult patient:)
arrrarrrharhar
Laleeda has a tough one but I think she has heard some good advice.
Nothing like idiots to really get you going.
Everybody wrote some great stuff last night!
Love you guys, you are all incredible!
having coffee and watching the sun come up.
the Cat got off the boat yesterday and onto the dock JUST when the paint guy fired up the air brush.
the Cat got back on the boat immediately with a big fattie.
She is now sitting like the lady she is on the settee in the cockpit and gazing at the seagulls and matbe imagining one tits up in the oven...
We are docked at the end on a pier, so right on the river and I've been cleaning and cleaning the construction mess so the boat is very pleasant today.... until I start working again.
Jen, you are so on the money with the situation and when Laleeda left for 5 hours and came back to a crappy decorating job, I think that summed up the family that are the relatives to this lady. Yup, I don't like too many drugs either but jeeze! Great drugs are made specifically for that behavior!!!
My entire life would have been so much less of a struggle if my mom and dad could have had anti depressants and perhaps even anti anxiety meds.
when (and I have mentioned this a few times on this thread, but for the newer folks...) I gave mom Namenda for the first time it took about 2o minutes and she was so pleasant and engaging and funny and NOT MEAN!!! wow. my entire childhood flashed before my eyes in a nanosecond and I realized how mentally ill she was the whole time and what are you going to do? it's done.
All we can do is try to keep others from experiencing what we have fought so hard to survive.
Which is why I say:
VENT!!!!
Keep Venting!
When the jerks want to act like we're in the wrong because we are REAL and we KEEP IT REAL, just know that they are weak and afraid and we should pity them. If only we had the time.
God save me from your followers.
Vent on!
BOAT!!
lovbob
sing the chorus and it goes
I'm Slim Shady yes I'm the Real Shady
all them other Slim Shadies are just imitatin
u Rock Ladeeda!
lovbob
Yep, throat still hurts. Trying to pretend it doesn't. Going to work again today. One good thing is it's casual day so I can wear jeans, my skechers and my new Universal Studios sweatshirt.
All this talk about care giving and how we should not bitch about it has got me thinking I wish I had taken more time with Mom. I wish I had been more patient. I wish we had a dress rehearsal in life. But we don't. But I do know this. I was more patient than many would have been. Guess I gotta hang on to that. :)
I still think I hear her sometimes. Just every so often.
Okay, gotta move forward. Hubby's printing off brochure of a bunch of houses we want to look at. When we know we have a house I think that will help me. It's stressful not knowing what is going to happen. We plan to buy a house for cheap and fix it up some and hopefully when the housing market gets better we can sell it and move to another town. Hopefully someplace warmer. I am so sick of the winters. I'm totally a Spring/Summer girl.
K, gonna sign off for now. Love yous!!
love,
miz
I did give her a peeled banana today for a snack. I was almost hysterical, but I went outside and smoked until I regained some composure.. Thanks again.
I hope they pay you plenty ~ You certainly deserve it!
Your next venture might be that of a mediator between family & care givers. I know my brothers don't really listen to me, however an outside "professional" source they would. They respect those fancy framed papers hanging on an office wall. Highly educated boys where I took a different path.
Bobbie mentioned recently about 'educated' professionals not knowing crap.
We are the pros ~ where's the $?
Hey Ted, start designing diplomas. Sell em on Ebay
I think Rip is onto something, with some peice of paper in your pocket you could easily find success as an elder advocate that steps in when the family loses their way.
Kudos!
It is a heartwarming story about the bond formed between a 5 year old girl and some construction workers, that will make you believe we all can make a difference when we give a child the gift of our time.
**********************
A young family moved into a house next to a vacant lot. One day, a construction crew began to build a house on the empty lot.
The family's five year old daughter took an interest in the goings on and spent much of the time each day observing the workers.
Eventually, the construction crew--all of them "diamonds in the rough", more or less--adopted her as a kind of project mascot.
They chatted with her during coffee and lunch breaks and gave her little jobs to do to make her feel important.
At the end of the first week, they presented her with a pay envelope containing ten dollars. The little girl took this home to her mother who suggested that she take the ten dollars to the bank and open a savings account.
The little girl and her mother went to the bank. The teller was impressed and asked the little girl how she had come by her very own paycheck at such a young age.
The little girl proudly replied, "I worked last week with a real construction crew, building the new house next door to us."
"Oh, my goodness gracious", said the teller, "and will you be working on the house again this week, too?"
The little girl replied, "I will, if those a$$holes at the Home Store ever deliver the f--kin' sheet rock."
I am making new friends and that is worth more than money can ever buy
I am a professional at what I do, and what I do best is b*tch. My family knows this, it isn’t a big secret. I still can't get a diploma in b*tchin though, it isn't a job category. My grandmother would sit and laugh so long and hard at my b*tchin it made me aspire to b*tch longer, harder, and with more flair. I can b*tch on a wide range of topics which makes me a truly enlightened b*tch. If only I could get paid for doing what I do best. I find joy in b*tching. B*tching in several languages would also be novel, but maybe it is better to climb to the top in one language. You know what they say “jack of all trades, master of none” I’ll stick to English b*tching.
Guess what? My gran is responding to the addition of the smallest amount of Haldol. She has seemed to be a little bit more like herself today. She is still forgetful and helpless, but OMG she is funny today. Some of her OCD behavior also seems to be less. She is more settled and less anxious
I pushed her into the bathroom and said like usual "Use lots of toilet paper grandma, be kind to the TP and don't shred it, it used to be a tree." So she looks at me and says with a twinkle in her eye "Thanks for the information, I suppose it has done enough wiping my bottom, no need to continue to punish it." After my mouth dropped and I regained my composure we laughed and laughed.
We've shared a few other moments today that were pretty funny. I was pretty surprised that she was bantering with me. Because my family embraces my “humor” as part of my person, they don’t expect me to suddenly become someone else just because I’m caring for the elderly. I love it when gran gets all snappy with me because we do it in good humor. I hope she continues to improve, or at least not regress. Today was really not a bad day at all.
Can someone please tell me why I am snickering everytime I walk past the fruit bowl? I have the wild urge to shove a banana down my drawers to save for later.
A Monkey walks into a tavern and sits belly to the bar. 3 butterknives and a banana are already sitting there partying in pink prom dresses. The banana looked particulary captivating and was wearing a tiara. Clearly this banana was ripe and ready for love.
The Monkey orders his drink and starts winking at the butterknives. The bartender watches this for a while and then leans in close to the monkey and says..."I'm confused...there is a beautiful ripe banana sitting there and you are coming on to the butterknives...what is your angle?" The monkey smiled and said, "I can have my way with that banana anytime I want, if I charm the butterknives, maybe I can get them all in my pants before the bar closes".
I salute you LaDeeda I love your new title...The Banana Hunter...I'm waiting for your show to be picked up on cable.
Love you guys!
HB