My current internship is in a rehab/long-term care facility. I am loving it but having a hard time because its just not in my nature to tell elderly people what to do. They all remind me of my grandparents, who I love dearly and lost both within the last 5 years.
It has really gotten me thinking though. It is making me think about what will happen with my parents when they can no longer care for themselves. How much am I willing to take on? I mean I understand the need for such facilities. But I also see people living at this place who I really think should be living with family.
It also has me thinking about myself. I mean, when John and I get old and can no longer care for ourselves, what will our plans be. I don't want to be a burden to my children but don't want to find myself living in a place like this when I don't HAVE to. I have joked that Grayson will be my main caretaker and deal with my cranky old self because he needs payback or how much he has tried my patience. But Joey will change my diapers to pay back for all this poop I have been scrubbing off walls and floors and out of laundry this summer.
In reality, I know so much will depend on the course life takes. I may go quickly and the plan may not be necessary. It will be nice to have just in case though. And then there is the matter of my adorable Joey. While I hope that he grows and develops and marries, there is no guarantee of if that will be possible. So what if he can't live alone? The only thing I can do about that right now is to try to foster love and respect between he and his brother and sister and then hope for the best.
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2 comments:
some very good questions. I haven't even thought about it either. I have for my parents, but most of that won't be my decision since I have 2 older brothers. But for me and Bob, I haven't thought of it. We don't even have a will yet or picked out guardians for the kids if something happened to us. I guess that's another thing I need to add to my list.
((HUGS)) Amy. Let me first commend you on your work with the elderly. Its a hard job, rewarding, but hard. I worked in nursing homes as a CNA for years. I often had the same thoughts you are describing. It really makes you think doesnt it.
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