I spent about 12 days in Daytona Beach assisting my mother. I took her to the ear doctor, got her hearing aid serviced, went with her to church and to dinner on Easter Sunday. I picked up a few things that she needed and tried to make sure she was set for the next few months. Now I find out that one of the ladies is not around.
As I may have mentioned my mother has lived with my aunt (her sister) since late 2006. My aunt does not walk well at all so my mother is needed to open the door and to do a few basic things my aunt can’t. Naturally my aunt has a home attendant. There are actually a few home attendants in my aunt’s house. Ida is there Monday-Friday from 9-3. Betty is there Monday-Thursday and every other Friday from 6-10. Annette works the other Friday evening, Saturday from 9-3 and Sunday from 8:30-2:30. Another lady, I believe Betty works Sunday evening from 6-10.
Ida and Annette are older ladies and connected better with my aunt. Annette and my mother really bonded. Both ladies have similar work ethics but different personalities. Not in a bad way.
I am not sure if Annette ‘s absence is temporary of if it is for good. I just know that I called Friday and asked if she was there and my mother got all mysterious and said that she wasn’t. The absence wasn’t telling but the mysteriousness was.
I have been mentally preparing myself to go live in Florida in case things down there go sour. No, a particular home attendant not being around is not the end of the world. Don’t get it twisted though; one home attendant can make a difference in the health of your loved one.
Ida is my aunt’s number one. They clicked right away. Ida will go that extra mile for my aunt. Clothes are not only washed but folded properly. They are able to talk as if they knew each other for years. Most of the other ladies put on their music or act as if they don’t really want to be there but Ida is different. She interacts with my aunt.
Annette is about the same age as Ida. She is just as professional as Ida but as I said earlier she is different. Ida is Black, Annette is white. Ida is a little more reserved and Annette is more inquisitive. Ida clicks a little better with my aunt and Annette clicks a little better with my mother. Annette goes with my mother to doctor appointments if needed. In fact, the doctor my mother sees was referred to her by Annette. And even though Annette works FOR my aunt she enthusiastically does for my mother.
You really have no idea how important these things are until you either get old or get very sick. You cannot fathom how important your independence is until you have to depend on someone to wash you and help you get out of bed.
As of now there is no solution to this situation. I have to find out if Annette is out sick or if she is gone permanently.
My concerns about Annette do not mean I have no confidence in Betty. Betty is a more recent addition to the house. She became a regular around late February after Terri left. Terri was the evening person for about a year or two. I have no idea why she is no longer there. I don’t think it was anything horrific like stealing or anything like that. In another blog entry I will go into past attendant stories. If you are in a situation where you have to choose one I do not envy you
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