This morning on my newsfeed there was a link to AARP's list of resources for caregivers. I didn't want to click on it because I don't want to encourage AARP since I'm still so young and vital.
*eye roll*
It was one of the most comprehensive lists of resources I've come across and well worth a look. It was formatted so that it could be printed off and hung on the fridge.
https://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/articles/foundation/aa66r2_care.pdf
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/local/info-2017/important-resources-for-caregivers.html
Regarding having the conversation - my parents are both living and still driving and doing for themselves, but I anticipate problems within the next 5 years. My mother REFUSES to have the conversation about her wishes if/when they need help. One of my sisters lives about 40 miles away, I live 68 miles, and another sister lives 90 miles, so we cannot just zip there quickly.
I have tried numerous times to bring it up, usually when she has been talking about someone else she knows who has fallen, broken a hip, etc. The conversation frequently goes like this.
Me: So, have you given any thought as to what you will want or need if YOU take a tumble and break a bone or get very sick?
Mama: I'm not going to fall or get sick. (said in a sarcastic tone followed by a nervous laugh)
Me: Yeah. Seriously though, what is your plan?
Mama: I'm fit as a fiddle. I'm not even on ANY medication! (true about the meds, but she clearly has heart issues. She cannot even walk 1/4 mile without having to stop and rest. She is overweight and has leg pain and knee problems).
Me: What about your knee issues and your difficulty in walking?
Mama: I've been walking much better here lately! My knees hardly ever hurt! Hey, did you know there is a sale this week at Harvey's? Look here, they have ground beef for .50 per lb!
Me: I'm serious. We need to discuss this so that we will have a plan in place
Mama: Where are you going on vacation this summer? Is someone outside? I thought I heard a car. (she gets up and leaves the room)
BTW, if anyone tries to copy them directly into an Excel database as I did, you'll get the FB link, which I can't post here b/c some of the characters aren't compatible with site parameters.
I have no idea why this happens. It also repeatedly crashed Excel.
Eyerishlass, do you sign in through FB? Maybe that's why the FB link comes up.
I had to copy the links into Word, then recopy into Excel. This isn't the first time I've gotten the FB links when copying and saving info or a post for future reference.
I don't know if the difficulty was with AARP or AC but I didn't deal with FB at all.