[TI] From child to parent

[Joseph Laiacona]

Five years ago my brother and I had to take charge of my parents and put 
them into a nursing home. It was an emotionally difficult task but their 
health and safety were our primary concern.

Like many Italians they had refused years of suggestions and requests that 
would have made life easier for all of us, and safer for them. When my 
mother fell out of bed for the fifth! time, she broke her ankle in three 
places. From the hospital to the nursing home, never to go back home again 
(except for a small party honoring their 60th wedding anniversary.

While my mom was in the nursing home, dad refused visiting nurses and his 
state deteriorated very quickly, so much so that the county health dept 
called my brother to say "Do something or we will." We had been making 
arrangements so there was no problem.

Dad passed away a year ago and mom has advanced Alzheimer's disease. Our 
consolation is that neither of them ever knew how bad their situation had 
become.

I write this not for sympathy but to remind each of you to make sufficient 
arrangements NOW for your future and not leave it to your children to make 
decisions that you should make for yourself. The truth is very clear. Many 
of us will become parents to our parents.

Joe Laiacona