Her mother, Jenny West, suffered a series of transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, in 1995.“ Every time she had one, she lost more function,” Sally recalls. Her mother’ s ability to walk was affected first, then the ability to swallow. Sally pureed her mother’ s food to prevent choking. At night, she slept on a recliner next to her mother’ s bed.“ I practically lived at my parent’ s home for six months,” Sally remembers. After a serious fall, Mrs. West spent three days in the hospital. She was then referred to a nursing home. She died two days after suffering a serious stroke in the nursing home. She was at the nursing home for only a week.
Sally’ s father, Melvin West, lived alone for the next two years. After several hospital visits to battle pneumonia, Mr. West was referred to a nursing home for rehabilitation.“ At the hospital, social workers were always helpful,” Sally remembers.“ Daddy couldn’ t go back home because he couldn’ t take care of himself.” Mr. West lived at the nursing home for three years until he died in January 2000.“ The best thing is to have faith,” Sally says.“ Ask for prayers to get you through.”
In Hagerstown, The Washington County Commission on Aging provides no-cost help and care management to adults, with a focus on older adults.“ Our staff provides information and assistance to family members and adults of all ages who seek information and resources regarding community care situations,” says Executive Director Susan MacDonald. The internet is also a good resource.
At the Washington County Commission on Aging, Executive Director Susan MacDonald( left) and her staff provide information and assistance to older adults and their families. Reaching out for help is crucial, says Sally Weagley( above):“ You can’ t find help if you don’ t share.”
Visit blogs and communicate with others having similar experiences. Do research by visiting websites to learn about different retirement communities and the available options.“ Also, visit communities to get a feel for the services they each offer and what will be the best fit for your loved one’ s needs,” Tiffany says. §
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