A good day,
although no knitting yet. Alexander came. No news. It was raining, so we didn’t
attempt a walk. He is rather dreading the departure of their younger child to
(Birmingham) university. Helen had told him to do some washing up, but I did that.
He hung up some washing.
He and Helen seem
determined to keep me here, with live-in care which is not a prospect I relish
although it would solve the problem of the cats. Cramond or something similar
has a lot to be said for it. Expense is the big negative – but live-in care
would be expensive too. I have been amusing myself by thinking what bits and
pieces I would take along to liven up a small room. There is surprisingly
little I would want, and an iPad, of course, packs a big punch. Slow and clumsy as I am, I would miss cooking. (I think of your aunt, Mary Lou: did she miss that, as well as washing-up?) One of my neighbours at Cramond – she never left her room, so I never met her –
had a wonderfully inviting drinks tray near her ever-open door. I wouldn’t want
that, but it was a good idea.
My sister has just
been back to New Haven for the 55th (!) anniversary of her
graduation from medical school. Not many there, she says, and those that were
had a melancholy tendency not just to remember the absent but to discuss in
detail the means the Grim Reaper had chosen to carry them off.
My Aunt's situation was a bit less strait forward. She had been in the convent for most of her adult life. When visiting family she loved to bake. (Cinnamon rolls! Monkey Bread!) She was never much of a cook. In the "Old Nun's Home" there was no opportunity to do either.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed to me that you had a bit more energy while at Cramond. What does your sister think? A difficult decision. Chloe
ReplyDeleteI think a major element would be the personality of whomever you end up living with. I think the company at Cranford was very helpful, plus daily (I assume) physio meant that you had a lot of attention. But in either case, the quality of the company is likely to be uncertain. Why not wait to make the decision until Daniela returns? By then you will have more information about how easy it is for you to maintain your gains.
ReplyDeleteI imagine the live in carer would do all the household chores and cook if needed, in addition to seeing you were safe and (hopefully) happy. So no more Daniela? I hope you will find someone whose company you can enjoy.
ReplyDeleteit is an interesting question, what would one take if relocating to a small, mostly pre-furnished room? I must say that most care homes I have seen give very little scope for a lifetime's possessions. All four of my parents and in-laws wanted, and were able to take, pictures, ornaments, framed photos, various electrical devices, personal televisions so they could watch programmes of their own choice in the privacy of their rooms.....Mum wanted cushions of her own choice which was easily arranged. Mother in law wanted
ReplyDeleteher crochet hooks and yarns, and a bag to carry her bits and pieces around in.
Of course they all had their clothes, shoes, outdoor kit, handbag or equivalent for outings.....I expect it comes to quite a lot of kit really.
As long as your old flat were kept, it would be easy to send for suppplementary items as you found you needed them. But empty properties are not cheap to keep running and take quite a lot of checking up on and looking after. It is a tricky one.....
JennyS
Difficult decisions lie ahead. For what it's worth -I just can't imagine finding the "perfect" live-in carer. I don't know if it's an advantage but in a care home the staff do change over time.
ReplyDelete