ARTICLES / General / The
Decision /
Other ArticlesBy Trish Hughes Kreis
Ultimately, I decided to place him in an Assisted
Living Facility near me. I told Rob (and
myself) that this would be on a trial basis and we
would see how things went. I couldn’t make a
permanent decision so approached it as a temporary
solution, which I’ve come to realize, almost a year
later, that this was the best possible choice for
him.
Dad visits once a month and brings Judy with him
which is probably the nicest thing my Dad has ever
done in his life.
Rob is long past his infection and has become
quite active in the Care Facility. He gained a
lot of weight because the boy does like to eat.
My visits have dwindled to two to three times a week
and I have to time them so as not to interfere with
bingo or church (Rob kicks me out if it’s bingo
time).
I still have pangs of guilt for placing him in
the Care Facility but guilt is as much in my blood
as denial so I’ve learned to live with it.
I don’t know how Mom would have felt to have her
son placed in a Care Facility but my dear
sister-in-law did say to me recently that Mom would
have been happy with the facility I chose for Rob.
She said Mom always knew Rob would need that level
of care if he lived long enough.
Those kind words were almost enough to squash the
guilt. Almost.
Trish Hughes Kreis is a freelance writer and
full-time Legal Administrator who coordinates the
care of her youngest brother, Robert, and has
managed to persistently navigate the maze of social
services and government programs available to help
her brother. She can be contacted at
thkreis@sbcglobal.net or through her blog
www.robertssisster@att.net.
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