Reality Check: Older Parents

My coffee and Mom’s nebulizer stuff.

You know you have elderly parents when:

  • You’ve survived multiple episodes of falls, strokes, heart issues and you are unfazed, you roll.
  • The house or living situation has wellness paraphernalia all around (nebulizer attachments).
  • You have Amazon Prime and use it for reoccurring orders of incontinence pads and underwear.
  • You find the most simple coffee-maker for your Mom to use and write down the directions.
  • You feel like you are going deaf from “yelling” to be heard.
  • You know where the bleach, oxyclean and pee pads are located in the house.
  • You can make-up a week of Meds for both parents in 15 minutes or less.
  • You know the way to make the Meds because your Dad continues to tell you how to do it.
  • You know the neighbors, friends and home aides who assist and visit your Parents.
  • You are extremely grateful to those people and their patience with hearing a story 20+ times.
  • Their behavior reminds you to pay-it-forward.
  • You’ve learned to take a breath because you know how much your Dad hates losing his control.
  • You have seen enough bodily functions to try to figure out solutions to the bodily challenges.
  • You get excited for a Toto Washlet Toilet seat.
  • You look for things to tempt your parent’s taste buds because they don’t eat enough.
  • You really want a glass of wine at 11 am, daily when you are home.
  • Reminder: we will all be elderly at some point with Luck.
  • You make notes for when you are older.

I am sure you can add to this list, please feel free to do so in the comments.
(PS. Both, Mom and Dad, had check-ups today and things are going relatively well.)

XO