I talked with my 95-year-old father yesterday.

[MineralMan]

My mother, who is also 95, is back at home, and has been since January. Before then, she had been in a nursing home, but constantly asked when she was going home. Finally, my father gave in and moved her back to their house. Working with the county health department he has 24/7 live-in aides to help with her care. There are three of them, and each stays in their home for 72 hours, and then rotates to the next caregiver.

They're well paid, competent, and friendly people, and all is going OK. Before he made the move, I was very concerned with his decision, since he's a stubborn man with little tolerance for things that don't go his way. I worried that it would be a difficult situation all around, and my mother was getting good care where she was.

But, that was before the COVID-19 pandemic started to affect this country. Now, the situation is far better than it would have been if she were still in that nursing home. Each of the three care-givers works only for them. It's a full time job for each of them, who also have their own families. So, they are either at my parent's home or at their own home.

There's still some risk, but not nearly as much as if she were in the nursing care facility. I'm still worried, but not as much as before. My poor, addled mother is still asking when she can go home, even though she is there. Her dementia is quite severe. But, now my father understands that she doesn't know what home is any longer. He now accepts that he must rely on the caregivers for almost everything. Although he is not their patient, he really is just that, too, at this point.

I'm just thankful she is not stuck in a nursing home with no visitors. I'm thankful for the three women who rotate through their 72-hour shifts. I hope they remain well, along with my parents. For many reasons, I cannot just fly out there at this time. We were there in early February and saw that the situation was safe and that they were being well cared-for. That's the best we can do.

I still talk with my father on a daily basis by telephone. It's good to hear his voice, and to get a report on the day's situation.

[drray23]

1. its a much better situation.

That arrangement with private home aides seem to be a much safer setup than being trapped in a nursing home.
I hope they both will do fine. My mother is in france sheltering at home. She is 81 and in pretty good health. I was worried she would not take it seriously but she is. She has weeks of food in her freezer and enough meds. She has not seen the outside of her house for two weeks now.

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. Your father must be a wise man.

May his decision protect them through this crisis and beyond.

[LuckyCharms]

3. You sound like a good caring son.

Miss my mom, she passed at age 94.

[Hekate]

4. Thanks for the update. All the best to you and your family.