Page 26 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Online Magazine
P. 26
HONORING SENIORS
PLAN SOONER...
FOR EVERYONE’S SAKE
by Donna Alexander
recently heard someone
say, “Better five years too
I early than five minutes too
late”. As I pondered that bit
of philosophy, I realized that I sell the house, where she told me that they are glad they
have to agree. would live, what furnishings decided to move. Many of them
she could keep with her, who tell me they wish they had done
One fall day in 2005, I was would move her, when to move it sooner. Upon investigation
contacted by my older brother her, how to pay for everything of these comments, I have
who lived near my mother. - the list was endless. We did learned that, after the initial
Mom had experienced a the best we could under the adjustments of selling the
medical event that was circumstances, but I often family home and dealing with
undetermined when he first question my actions and wish I the emotions that go with it,
called me. She was only 67 could have known what Mom most seniors truly feel a sense
years old and had been in good would have chosen if she’d of relief. They are grateful that
health. We were taken aback been able. The real kicker to there is a plan for their future.
but vowed to do whatever was this story is that the last time Many of my clients move into
necessary to get her on the we’d all been together BS a senior living community
road to recovery. We were so (before the stroke), Mom had and express appreciation for
naïve. As it turns out, Mom mentioned that she wanted us socialization opportunities,
had suffered a stroke during to discuss her options for senior group dining and other
the night and would never living. activities that are available to
“recover” completely. them. Some decide to move in
Five years earlier, even five with family. But all of them feel
The following months and minutes prior to the stroke, proud and satisfied that they
years led us down a twisty, Mom would have been able to made the tough calls, relieving
scary road that eventually tell us what she wanted, discuss their families from making
wound up with my mother in her assets and make her own rushed and emotional decisions
memory care. My brothers and decisions. I wouldn’t be second during a medical event or after
I were forced to make decisions guessing my actions now if my years of cajoling and pleading.
for her, assuming both financial mother had put a plan in place.
and personal responsibility. Their families also report
When it became apparent she Certainly, making those types feeling like a weight has been
could not return to her home, of decisions is difficult. But lifted. Many caregivers have
we had to determine when to most of my older clients have spent years being at the beck
26 Amarillo Senior Link
