Life is Good

In a few days I will be leaving with my mother on a two week "vacation". I alternate from excitement, because I love to travel and am thrilled to be going back "home" for a visit, to dread, when I think of the work and situations we will get ourselves into. I am the only driver, the only physical labor( suitcases in and out, etc.) and the only interpreter between great grandma 85, and great grandchild 9. Great Grandma has hearing problems as well as processing issues in the brain. So this should be an interesting trip! All kidding aside, I know this is the right thing to do. Life is good.

Weekend Plans

Holidays have become a little more difficult around our house in recent years. Like everyone else, we look forward to an extra day or so off from work and maybe even a chance to sneak out of town for an extended weekend.

With three elderly parents needing our attention more and more, long weekends are almost a thing of the past. Almost. Call us crazy, but we're trying to plan some time away over the Memorial Day holiday...and we may be taking two of the three with us.

When the subject of getting away first came up, I was ready! My husband has time coming from his job and we haven't spent much time away, just the two of us. Going to the mountains is the perfect getaway for us. A little bit of a drive, but when you live by the ocean, going to the mountains is having the best of both worlds.

At 88 and 89, my husband's parents no longer have much desire to travel. We thought this might possibly be a "last" trip of this nature, where we could combine an outing for them and invite the other siblings to see their folks at the same time. The details aren't planned yet, and I may be getting ahead of myself because we're not certain it will work out. I'll keep you posted!

Cruising through Old Age

How's this for an idea? The Journal of American Geriatrics Society has reported great similarities between living on a cruise ship and in an assisted living facility. In fact, the November 2007 issue of the Journal described the "at sea" option as a feasible and cost effective alternative to landlocked living!

The many amenities on a cruise ship, including 3 meals a day, escorts to meals, on board physician, and housekeeping/laundry services rival those of assisted living and for very little cost difference.
For seniors who love to travel, have good to excellent cognitive memory, and who require a little help with activities of daily living, it sounds like an unusual and attractive arrangement.

Factored into the research were life expectancy of seniors moving into assisted living and nursing homes, costs of treating acute illness, medicare reimbursement and other costs.