More about the ongoing saga of KS. We went to a continuous care facility on Friday and got a good look at the Assisted Living part of the campus. There are apartments for independent living and a nursing home area for those who need more intense care. It is a lovely facility but not really for KS.
Even though KS has the resources to enter this facility there are issues. The way I found out about this issues was by taking the time to listen to her. Listening to our aging relatives is the best way to understand what they want, what they fear and what they find uncomfortable. In the case of the LG continuous care facility, KS felt that they were too far from the geographic area with which she is familiar (10 miles is too much for her) and the facility has a religious basis that is more rigid than KS would find comfortable.
KS told me all of these things indirectly at first and then more directly when I asked for her opinion directly. If we take the time to ask questions and then listen attentively to the reply we will be able to be supportive of our loved ones need for independence as well as our need for them to be safe. They must be as actively involved in the decision process as they are able.
So true, Lesley. Also day-to-day need for and at the same time a reluctance to climb into a shower. We're using grab bars, but she still didn't want to try it until I was back from my trip. Thanks for your presentation this week at AG2011. Geraldine
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