My mother (92) is living somewhat independently but the isolation is having negative effects on her cognitive health. Instead of moving her in with one of us kids, we’re determined to keep her in her house as long as possible. I travel every other week to stay with her for a week. Fortunately, my brothers live near her and can check in a…
My mother (92) is living somewhat independently but the isolation is having negative effects on her cognitive health. Instead of moving her in with one of us kids, we’re determined to keep her in her house as long as possible. I travel every other week to stay with her for a week. Fortunately, my brothers live near her and can check in and run errands for her when I’m not there. But it’s not good for her to be by herself for long periods of time. And I don’t think it’s sustainable for me to drop my life every other week.
It’s a conundrum. She does much better when I’m there. And yet, she and my father made the decision to move to a rural area. While Dad got involved in their community, my mother did not and does not have a much community support.
My mother (92) is living somewhat independently but the isolation is having negative effects on her cognitive health. Instead of moving her in with one of us kids, we’re determined to keep her in her house as long as possible. I travel every other week to stay with her for a week. Fortunately, my brothers live near her and can check in and run errands for her when I’m not there. But it’s not good for her to be by herself for long periods of time. And I don’t think it’s sustainable for me to drop my life every other week.
It’s a conundrum. She does much better when I’m there. And yet, she and my father made the decision to move to a rural area. While Dad got involved in their community, my mother did not and does not have a much community support.
How does one achieve a balance?
Hi Teri, That is the question.. how to achieve some sort of balance? Can you teach her like to use FaceTime or something along those lines?