Living at a distance from elderly relatives

[Lynn-Osborne]

Living at a distance from your loved one can often be challenging especially as they get older and a crisis hits. What plans do you have in place within these circumstances?

[jaykay777]

Now 86 years old, I'm responding to the question in the reverse. After my husband died in 2009, my children were too busy raising teenagers to think about what might happen to me as I got older. I remarried and was widowed again in 2014. After successfully living alone, I suffered -- undamaged -- two falls on concrete surfaces early in 2016. After two years of visiting group living facilities, I moved to an independent living facility for U.S. war veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers. It offers no medical services, but has a system in place for calling paramedics and ambulances when needed. My children are free to visit me, but I don't need their help in deciding my future.

[Lynn-Osborne in reply to jaykay777]

Thank you JayKay

It's interesting to hear about options available and what leads people into different decisions

I'm sorry you had nasty falls, which although unhurt, I'm sure were frightening at the time

[Lynn-Osborne]

Hello Bluebell99

I absolutely agree, you can only make the suggestions at the time and can't force anyone to do something they don't want to do. I think that's the same for any of us really. All we can do is support and advise the best we can, especially when someone is able to make their own decisions. It sounds like you presented different options for them to consider which is all you can do

Thank you for sharing your story