Back in February I blogged about helping my parents move to an assisted living facility. My Dad was recovering from a broken hip and my Mom was battling parkinsonisms. Since then Dad has made a complete recovery and is getting around with a walker and sometimes even a cane. Unfortunately however, Mom is slipping. According to the doctors the cause of parkinsonisms can be difficult to diagnose if you don’t have the typical variety of the disease. At this point the diagnosis is atypical parkinsons with multiple system atrophy.
Mom and Dad agreed that while the assisted living facility was fine it was not home and they really really wanted to go home. So last week Duke and I were down in Escondido helping Mom and Dad move back home. Mom is no longer able to get out of bed although her mind is still very sharp. Dad is providing most of her care. He does have a caregiver coming in 4 hours a day to help. While Duke and I were there we talked to the people from Hospice and learned about how they can help. It seems like a wonderful service and will allow Mom to stay home until the end which I am afraid will be soon.
Leaving was emotionally wrenching and every time the phone rings I think maybe that is it. My sister is there visiting now and my brother will be there next week. Depending on circumstances I will probably go back down after that.
We continue to work hard on getting the house ready to sell. We have a list of 69 things to do and 26 of them are done. Painting and packing are good distractions from thinking too much about Mom. Our target to have the house on the market is now June 15 but I am thinking that it may take us a week or so longer. Right now I am trying to just take things one day at a time.
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