Placement
When Living At Home is Not Safe
Deciding to move in with family or to a care taking facility may be difficult but necessary. Many reasons can attribute to deciding living at home is unsafe. Living along can be lonely or frightening. It may be too much work to take care of your physical environment as well as yourself. You may not be able to care of yourself and need help. Sometimes family or friends will encourage you to make a move for your own safety. When someone is unable to organize their lives, medications, access to friends or family, friends or family may need to make the tough decision to find a new home for you.
To maintain dignity and autonomy as long as possible it is advantages to relocating early to a long-term care facility. Even moving in with family is better to be done before necessary to make the transition easier. You have the chance to learn the facility and staff and they get to know you.
A time does come where supportive physical care may be all that can be offered. As a caretaker It is important to remember that behind the vacant stare, there is a person with a history, having led a full life. A kind voice, gentle touch and care is all I would hope for.
This song reflects the journey of losing a mother and decisions which must be made along the way.
Mother's Mom
I am the daughter who now is mother’s mom
We have switched roles with the with the passage of time
As a child she was my comfort and guided my way
Today she needs the same for safety every day
I am my mother’s daughter who now is mother’s mom
I never expected my mother to age
her stature has shrunk has bones that break
Muscles now flabby, breasts hang low,
hears only what she wants to know
She talks with my dad who died years ago
Looks to be with him when it’s time to go
May not know when she needs help
She’s determined to stay by herself
I am the daughter who now is mother’s mom
We have switched roles with the with the passage of time
As a child she was my comfort and guided my way
Today she needs the same for safety every day
I am my mother’s daughter who now is mother’s mom
Signs of trouble lurk about
Unopened mail and clutter abound
Not sure when she took a bath
Her pills are now part of the past
Leaving her home’s a traumatic feat
Resisting this change tough to complete
Don’t have a choice must change the past
Get mom to a safe place at last
I am the daughter who now is mother’s mom
We have switched roles with the with the passage of time
As a child she was my comfort and guided my way
Today she needs the same for safety every day
I am my mother’s daughter who now is mother’s mom
Mom will never be better than today she’s leaving this world in a subtle way
Never know what time will erase will she remember my [d] name and face
We have switched roles with the passage of time
I am the daughter who now is mother’s mom
@ Grethe Cammermeyer 2017