Bosom Buddies

so_P_bubble · July 23, 2022, 04:13:42 AM

new game

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/village-clubhouse~place-for-fun!/trivia-quiz-and-more-games/msg221226/#msg221226

patricia19 · July 23, 2022, 01:08:22 PM

Marilyn, I'm sure you're aware of this, and it has been 27 years since this happened to my family; but I would have as much information as possible, looked up, examined, and read through and understood before beginning any placement process

It took a year and a senator's involvement before we could secure a local place for my mother. She was eligible for placement in a private facility after the waiting period of two years. However, we could no longer care for her at home since she had deteriorated so quickly that we sent her to a place near my sister in Portland.

The facility argued that she had lost her eligibility by moving out of state. We claimed that we had no choice and petitioned our area's senator for assistance since she had lived in Alaska for 49 years before moving to the Portland nursing home.

And that move involved a hired nurse medevac that, at the time, cost thousands. Then the facility charged $5000 a month for the bed and extra services due to her being in a semi-coma.

jane · July 23, 2022, 04:23:08 PM

OMG, Patricia, what a nightmare.

Heat advisory says it's 109 here and it's like walking into a blast furnace, but it's beginning to cloud up, so I suspect the rain/storms are on the way. Thank heavens, it's to be cooler tomorrow and next week.

jane

patricia19 · July 23, 2022, 05:32:49 PM

As that was almost thirty years ago, I hate to think of today's prices.

We often had 108 summer temperatures before 2014. However, in a dry climate, rarely that much humidity.

maryz · July 23, 2022, 06:50:41 PM

Marilyn, I know it's so hard to watch Keith fail more and more. Lots of virtual hugs from here.

Upper 90s here, with high humidity, for the next few days, then "cooling" down to the lower 90s with scattered showers. Glad we're heading to the beach next Saturday.

jane · July 24, 2022, 10:42:17 AM

LOTS of lightning and thunder and pounding rain about midnight. Clocks are off this morning, so power was out sometime. All bright and clear and lower temps this morning.

Patricia...the prices here are very high, and I hear the large cities are far worse. But, they also offer more amenities...swimming pools, beauty parlors, workout areas, food options and opportunities, etc.

Ahhh...Mary, a week on the Gulf. ENJOY!

Stay safe, cool, and healthy.

jane

patricia19 · July 24, 2022, 12:35:40 PM

Jane, if you have it, okay...you can't take it with you. Prices are high here as well even in the non-senior market. A regular one bedroom is over a thousand and shows no sign of going down. I live in a complex for disabled but independent seniors, but the ones that include care are very high-priced. That's why many people started a cottage industry where they will rent rooms in their houses to seniors and those needing simple care.

jane · July 24, 2022, 05:49:11 PM

Patricia...I don't think we have that sort of care home here...i.e., rent a room. We have independent living "homes" you buy from the Assisted Living Place...last I heard $290,000 and you must sell it back to them when you're moved elsewhere at a 20% discount.

The assisted living is something in the range of $4,000; the nursing home part: $6,000 and the Alzheimer's unit $9,000. There are a lot of smaler homes/condos/townhouses being built and renting/leasing for a variety of prices.

patricia19 · July 24, 2022, 06:35:04 PM

Jane, before my dad moved into a nursing home in 1993, he lived in such a home. The homeowner provided all essential services, cleaning, cooking, and laundry, keeping all medications and giving them at the correct time and dosages to the residents.

After he'd sold his home and moved in with me, and before he moved into a nursing home, I wasn't privy to the cost at that time; I only knew I couldn't work and leave him alone. My landlord and other neighbors had issues, and he had to go. He was 6'4," and you couldn't tell him no if he wanted to do something, and he stayed up all night, a "sundowner."

He lived only a year after we were able to bring my mom back and into the same home, one for those who had at least thirty years of Alaska residence, run by a private organization, The Pioneers. This was similar to the Elks, Lions, or Moose; but was only for Alaskan long-term residents.

My mom lived in a semi-coma for the last six years, requiring being moved in the bed, bathed, whirlpool sessions, daily massages, intravenous food, medications, nursing, etc. I'm sure I don't know what that would cost now, but close to yours.

A costly site is open to seniors wanting some comforts and amenities, but you pay a lot more than I could afford. They have various dining halls, sports areas, inside and out, and an inside pool in five buildings.

Many here pay sliding rates, and there are seven studios by the first-floor office reserved for mentally challenged adults, not seniors, who can live independently. Eight studios, four on each side, are on the wings of each five floors, reserved for seniors who are bedridden or otherwise incapacitated.

There are two and three-bedroom building rentals and condos, but prices are exorbitant. Perhaps with the national housing crisis, that will change.

jane · July 24, 2022, 07:56:51 PM

An extended family member has a grandmother in a facility. Grandmother requires all the services...she has dementia and needs all assistance possible. The cost is $12,000 a month.

I'm told prices on the east and west coast and any large city are very high.
I guess the patient is on medicaid when their own money runs out. Our best man had to be in a facility and although he was mentally alert, he was in a wheelchair. He was "private pay" for a single, good sized room and then, when his money ran out, he was moved to a double room with a man who was in a coma or slept all the time. This was because they now took his social security check and he was on medicaid.

My husband checked on him weekly and made sure he put money in his account for trips out, etc.

jane

patricia19 · July 24, 2022, 09:18:37 PM

Evidently, prices have exploded since 1995, and mom's full service due to Alzheimer's induced semi-coma costs monthly of $5,000. My dad was in a wheelchair simply because he sat down on his second day there, and never got out of it.

What's that old saying, "Give me the money, honey."

jane · July 25, 2022, 10:59:14 AM

You are so right, Patricia.

MaryPage · July 25, 2022, 03:16:20 PM

What a great kindness your husband did for your kinsman, Jane!

The cost of care is downright scary. I have resisted with all my might entering any type of institution. I completely recognize the fact that I have been lucky in that things could have worked out differently for me. But as of now, I am still living independently and one of my children, son Chip, is living with me to be my Rock.

I am very excited because Chip goes off to Seattle for two weeks next month (to visit his Sweetheart), and daughter Becky is coming from Missouri to take care of me. For free. No additional bill. And I am not one to shout this news from the rooftops and thus allow the gremlins to hear and changes be made to the status quo. I am Very Big on the Status Quo.

maryz · July 25, 2022, 07:11:20 PM

I agree, it is a lot of money and, as they say, "It's all about the Benjamins!", but I still made the right decision for me. And fortunately, I can afford it. Moving in with one of my daughters was an option, but one I didn't choose to take.

Folks here who have gotten Covid are starting to test negative, without having been horribly sick or hospitalized. So we haven't been locked down. We're to be tested again tomorrow.

We're due to get some mitigation in the weather this week, with temps predicted in the high 80s-90, and scattered rain predicted every day. Hooray for a break!

Cottoncandy · July 25, 2022, 07:21:28 PM

46.....100+ days so far this summer...hi everyone...hope it's cooler where you are...have a wonderful week...

MaryPage · July 25, 2022, 11:37:28 PM

Mary, Mary: you & I will have each run down our list of options and finally settled on the choices we have made. I am sure we had a lot of the same considerations on our lists, but there will have been some different ones, as well and all.

Me, I have a surplus of family. When I have had to call 911 a few times, and then get carted off to hospital, I trip over them on the way out the door. I remember seeing granddaughter Kathryn's beautiful face just as the medics carrying me out passed through that door the very last time; last month sometime, it was. I was astonished, as she has a breast-fed baby and a six year-old and an extremely demanding job. How in the world the grape vine reached her and got her there so fast, I will never be able to figure out. But bless her boots. Chip & Debi drove behind us to hospital, and Anne was there when we arrived. I don't expect to ever really be ALONE again!

But I am blessed, and I know it.

The main thing that makes my life what it is is this blankety blankety, blank blank Pandemic. The thing is, despite my having had the 2 shots of vaccine, plus the two boosters, I am in great danger. I have C.O.P.D., and apparently the first thing this nasty virus goes for is the lungs. Despite all my shots, I am vulnerable to that direct attack. Oh, and I am on oxygen now. I could enumerate many other details, but COVID is the thing in the drivers seat. And it changes in no time at all: usually for the worst. I am trying, despite all my ailments, to make my century. They have promised me a Party to beat all.

And I don't doubt it for a minute. Fact is, they'll have it without me if I'm gone.

But I want to be There! So I am very, very, very, very careful

so_P_bubble · July 26, 2022, 09:03:52 AM

fun question :
https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/village-clubhouse~place-for-fun!/trivia-quiz-and-more-games/msg221403/#msg221403

jane · July 27, 2022, 12:43:45 PM

Wednesday greetings to both our Maryz and MaryPage and to Darlene. Cooler weather here and less humidity.

I'm not moving around much...I sprained my ankle again on Monday when my knee buckled as I was getting out of the car in the driveway. So...life is in a chair with a cold pack.

Stay safe and healthy,

jane

patricia19 · July 27, 2022, 01:55:55 PM

Ouch, Jane! I'm so sorry, and I know what that feels like! I hope to hear you're better soon!

MaryPage · July 27, 2022, 03:44:56 PM

Bummer! Not Fair! I Protest!

Hope that makes you feel better, Jane!

Weather not too bad here today. Still Summer, of course, but not a furnace out there.

maryz · July 27, 2022, 07:07:56 PM

So sorry, jane. Just adding flame to the fire!

SharonE · July 28, 2022, 05:57:23 PM

Hi Gals. Same weather as Mary's here--hot and humid and occasional storms or showers.

As to Melanie, she has tolerated the chemo pretty well so far, just minor side effects like nausea, headache, etc. Meds took care of them. The good news is that the chemo has done aWay with her pain! We are guessing it is the steroids in it, but don't know. She had very severe pain before. I just hope the pain doesn't return before her next infusion. She isn't allowed to play pickleball anymore, one of her favorite activities. She has to use a cane and be very careful not to fall and break the bone where the mass is.

Lori & Doug, in the mmeantime, have sold his house, bought a condo in Chicago and move this last weekend. A major undertaking. The condo is large--3 bedrooms and is to be their forever home. It's 15 mins walk to Wrigley field and to the lake.

Nothing else going on here except I finally got the July issue out and everyone liked it.

As to costs of Senior Centers, they are definitely pricey. Ours is a rental, not a buy-in. It has all levels of care, so if we need it, we can move into one of those at no increase in rent.

My nieces are about to put my sil in an assisted living place this fall and she is fighting it. She just doesn't realize how hard it is on her daughters now.

Alpiner, glad your mamm was okay. I think I have mine in the fall. They notify me each year. I get nervous too. One year, when had gone to a different center, they came in afterward and wanted to do an ultrasound. I really panicked and was sure the cancer was back, but they were just double checking something. But I nearly had a heart attack worrying about it till they came and told me it was all clear.

Jane, I'm sorry you're still having so much pain. Mine is about the same.

Mary Page, you're lucky to have such a caring family.

Mary, your family get together sounded like wonderful fun.

Marilyn, big hugs! I know it must be hard.

Hi Darlene. I don't know how you stand that heat. Hang in there.

We are having quite a resurgence of Covid here. Eleven residents and 3 associates in the past 10 days. Scary.

Stay safe everyone. Sharon

SharonE · July 28, 2022, 06:10:21 PM

Patricia, I just watched that video. It was great. Thanks for sharing. Sharon

jane · July 28, 2022, 06:21:50 PM

MaryPage, Maryz, Sharon, Patricia...Still hobbling around the house, but the foot is getting better.

Glad Melanie is tolerating her chemo. I don't envy Lori in downtown Chicago, but it obviously works for them.

Nice temps here, too....next week to be a scorcher again. Guess that's August!

Stay safe and healthy,

jane

MaryPage · July 29, 2022, 01:08:34 PM

Better is Good! Let's all cheer for Better! Way to Go!

Cottoncandy · July 29, 2022, 01:21:11 PM

Hi everyone...Jane hope your ankle is better..I think my blood pressure med makes me dizzy...will mention it to my Dr next visit...Sharon I'm also glad Melanie is doing ok on her treatment..my son is tolerating his ...so far...Marilyn hope you find some time for your self...I was caregiver for my husband many years...but would do it again in a heart beat...but I understand how hard it is...Hi to the Mary's...and Patrica any others reading...we probably want cool down much until Sept...if then...take care buddies

jane · July 29, 2022, 03:27:54 PM

Nothing exciting here, either.
Doing a lot of sitting with my foot up.

jane

maryz · July 29, 2022, 06:57:39 PM

Soon after breakfast in the morning, it's off to the beach. Life is never without surprises - they called this afternoon, and the elevator in the house is stuck. So unless they can get it fixed by tomorrow afternoon, it's struggling up the stairs (one floor) for me. Oh, well, it's worth it. I'll have computer access, so will be checking in over the week.

Stay cool and well, Buddies!

so_P_bubble · July 30, 2022, 09:12:17 AM

New Game

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/village-clubhouse~place-for-fun!/trivia-quiz-and-more-games/msg221622/#msg221622

jane · July 30, 2022, 10:26:49 AM

Mary...hope the elevator gets fixed quickly. Enjoy the beach!

jane

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