tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post5099401363456189701..comments2024-03-28T07:26:40.144-07:00Comments on Coastal Horizons... <i>books, beaches, and backroad adventures</i>: Being MortalLeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-31894583358309534832015-03-22T14:16:09.885-07:002015-03-22T14:16:09.885-07:00Jenclair, my grandmother was in a very nice apartm...Jenclair, my grandmother was in a very nice apartment in a retirement community, too. She had her own apartment with a bedroom, bathroom, living/dining area, as well as a small kitchenette. She could have friends over for drinks and nibbles before dinner, which was nice since she was very social. She ate most of her meals in the community dining room and did exercises in the community pool. It really was like living in an apartment complex! She never did have to go into the nursing care unit of the facility, since she passed away before she became an invalid. I'm sure that last transition into "a room" is very depressing. I think, in many ways, my grandmother was lucky to miss that part of her final stage in life. Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-63023831284193235902015-03-22T14:11:14.074-07:002015-03-22T14:11:14.074-07:00Kay, I just re-read your excellent review (which p...Kay, I just re-read your excellent review (which posted the day after I finished this book). It's an outstanding book, isn't it? Do you think your daughter will read it? If my daughter was a reader, I'd give her a copy. Since she's not, I guess I'll just have to have some heart-to-heart chats with her in the coming years about my wishes for the end of my life. My hubby's already been informed. :)Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-34692868093510235522015-03-22T14:05:23.790-07:002015-03-22T14:05:23.790-07:00Yes, JoAnn. Definitely read it. Have some post-it ...Yes, JoAnn. Definitely read it. Have some post-it flags and a highlighter handy, too. Thanks for your kind words.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-1919141410597972582015-03-22T14:04:37.492-07:002015-03-22T14:04:37.492-07:00Kathy, I'm so sorry that your father had a poo...Kathy, I'm so sorry that your father had a poor experience with hospice. :( I suspect it's like any health care provider or institution. There's bound to be some that are far less than desirable. Unfortunately, it's not the sort of thing you research too easily, I suppose, since it's usually needed during a period of crisis, when all involved are feeling very vulnerable. Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-17417494614108732742015-03-16T13:49:38.033-07:002015-03-16T13:49:38.033-07:00We had my father at a wonderful assisted living ho...We had my father at a wonderful assisted living home for a while. His room was almost as large as an apartment with a kitchen area, fridge, sink (no stove), but eventually, we had to move him to a nursing home because he needed more medical care and was past appreciating the benefits of his "hotel." It does make you much more aware of varying circumstances--he went from cheerful (he did think he was staying in a hotel) and social and wonderful meals to...concern about bed sores, drab, and depressing. jenclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046532245054911248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-70210844434499012502015-03-16T05:29:33.410-07:002015-03-16T05:29:33.410-07:00I totally agree with your assessment of this book....I totally agree with your assessment of this book. Very, very highly recommended. There are many difficult topics discussed, but having gone through the process of making these decisions for both my parents and helping my sister and her family with her decisions before her death, thinking and talking about life and life's end is helpful. It's hard enough even when you've done that. My experience with hospice for all 3 of my family members was very positive, but I'm sure that, as Kathy says above, not all are the same. We were lucky to get to use the same hospice for each of our loved ones.Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13495669354860191042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-25754710153531940112015-03-16T05:29:16.919-07:002015-03-16T05:29:16.919-07:00We are firmly in the middle-aged camp, too, and I ...We are firmly in the middle-aged camp, too, and I plan to read this book before too much longer. I will take your advice and read though... moving it from audio to print wish list. Great review, Les!JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22415234.post-90725494429525350162015-03-15T17:11:17.516-07:002015-03-15T17:11:17.516-07:00Carl and I are middle aged and have both lost a pa...Carl and I are middle aged and have both lost a parent so this book sounds perfect for us. I do want to point out that not all hospices are equal - they only checked on my father once during the last week of his life. They didn't offer to stay with us and gave us instructions on what to do when he "expired." bermudaonionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557noreply@blogger.com