Well, I'm apparently leaving the office early to go check on them, because they haven't picked up the phone and I've been calling at 20 minute intervals since 2 PM.

My sister and I wre recently bemoaning the fact that the world does not have a reverse med-alert, where you can get a ping back that everything's okay, just can't hearthe phone over the blasting tv and running tap.

Today, there were none.

Hope starts small.

I just had to troubleshoot my Sodastream. Luckily it wasn't anything I couldn't fix at home, but it still wasn't fun running through the scenarios before I worked out what the problem was.

I don't want problems. Have I somehow been unclear in sending the universe messages? I can't imagine how that didn't get across.

Oh, Jessica.

Don't worry, I'm sure The Newsroom will get to it in a couple of years.

My heart just grew three sizes.

Okay, crisis averted. They weren't answering the phone because they were at the ER. Mom felt a pain in her chest and they spent all day at the hospital. Of course there's nothing wrong, but Dad didn't want to tell us anything until he knew what the doctors said.

Classic.

At least I didn't have to spend all that time stuck in the tunnel...

Moving them to assisted living or getting full-time care in, either way, requires a bruising battle with my mother, who may have lost most of her cognitive function, but is still capable of being incredibly nasty and stubborn.

I'm sorry to hear that, but I still think the peace of mind you'd derive would be worth all the fight.

Whoa, go your dad, Suela!

[link]

Here’s What Happened When an Elderly Woman Took It Upon Herself to Restore a Painting in a Nearby Church

The images alone had me laughing my ass off the couch.

Consuela, you may have to get large, professional people to install her in care against her will. They will tend to her needs and make sure she doesn't hurt herself, which is in itself a huge relief, let alone the attrition the tension is taking on the rest of you. If her judgment is impaired, it becomes another competent adult's responsibility to see she's safely cared for.

I know I sound harsh, but I will always regret the additional years of having my mom in a safe facility, surrounded by trained professionals, and not having our personal at-home care for her touch and harm much daily pleasure and energy from family members and our interactions with each other. When she could not pitch tantrums and manipulate her caregivers, she settled in and was much happier herself.

ETA: I'm glad it was nothing serious--and that you avoided tunnel time.

Here’s What Happened When an Elderly Woman Took It Upon Herself to Restore a Painting in a Nearby Church

I must have missed the episode of Deep Space Nine where Odo died for our sins.